The Shepherdess Speaks

"Walk me to Heaven's Door"

We often hear about the ‘river of death,’ that darksome, fearsome, wide and terrible river that everyone must cross to enter the eternal realms.  We are not quite certain what awaits us or just how we will make this crossing, but, we can be certain that one day, we will stand on the banks of that river. If we are saved from sin and have served the Lord in our lifetime, We can have the assurance that Jesus will be there to take us across that mysterious river.

During my lifetime, I have walked many weary pilgrims to the banks of that river and I can almost see the gates on the other side. I have held their trembling hand as they silently slipped through the dark and misty corridor just outside that eternal door. Almost, I can hear the angels sing, can almost see the gates open. I strain to see what lies beyond. The gate closes and once again, I am left here to wait.

I say to my beloved, “If I go first, will you walk me to heaven’s door?” He smiles. “Yes. Will you walk me should I go first?”

“Yes,” I say, “I will walk you there, but take me with you this time.”

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Isaiah 25:8-9

 

My Valentine...

Ah, romance. How could the world exist without it? Impractical, you say, unrealistic, unimportant to the story? Romance paints the setting, the era, the characters, enlivens the drama, every part of your story. Ah qui, mon ami, include some romance. History is alive with it and God himself created it. 

On February 14, 2013, the day was cold, blustery and rainy, rather unusual for our southern climate, so we decided to make a special dinner in the library in front of the fire, our favorite place to be in the wintertime. Wright brought the round table for two and I thought of what dishes would work best for our special night. I chose the Bavarian Mitterteich china, made in Bavaria Germany. It is lovely with a soft muted ecru rose pattern on white, edged in gold with delicate sculpted edges. I coordinated this with burgundy and deep blue.

We started with salad and multi grain bread, pineapple, blueberries, and cottage cheese in a jelled salad topped with whipped cream. We enjoyed this course for at least half an hour

Who needs dinner after this?

While Wright added logs to the fire, I brought in the main course; pork chops in a mango salsa mixed with apricot preserves slow cooked in the crock pot and served with rice and asparagus. We ended the meal with coffee and pumpkin roll. The whole dining time took 2 hours. It was the loveliest way to celebrate with my Valentine

 A favorite table candle, the stag's head

The stag’s head candle holder is the Clan Davidson family crest and always so charming for the table. We used candlelight and firelight and some low lighting to make the ambiance romantic. Oh yes, I am a hopeless romantic!

 

By the fire

~~~~

From the Shapherdess

Among some clippings pinned to the flyleaf of an antique book published in 1915, were some old bits of verse and poetry. I thought this worth sharing. The book is "The Runner's Bible” and I read it almost daily. If you ever come across one, buy it. You’ll love it

Photo of Mandy on the beach

Praying...Dreaming...Believing

State of Mind

If you think you’re beaten, you are;

If you think you dare not, you don’t;

If you like to win but you think you can’t,

It’s almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost;

For out of the world we find,

Success begins with a person’s will,

It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you’re outclassed, you are;

You’ve got to think high to rise;

You’ve got to be sure of yourself before

You can ever win a prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go

To the strongest or fastest man;

But soon or late, the man who wins

Is the one who thinks he can!

~~

THE LAST COMMAND

The Last Command

 And Paul said unto the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Acts 27:31

Don’t Give Up the Ship!

We have all heard the impassioned words, “Don’t give up the ship!” While visiting the Lake Erie Maritime Museum, Erie PA, I heard the story behind this quote made famous during the War of 1812. However, this wasn’t the first time those immortal words were uttered. There is something so stirring, yet so distressing in those words. To hold on to hope in the midst of a storm and battle is a challenge to every soul. 

The USS Niagara, part of the American naval fleet, War of 1812, is now docked at the Maritime museum after being raised from the lake and beautifully restored. This year marks the 200^th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813. Our party boarded the USS Niagara for the historic presentation of the Niagara’s involvement in the War. Lake Erie a large sea-like lake bordering the northern most borders of Ohio. 

Being fond of reading about historic world warfare, especially in America, I had to know if any of my ancestors were involved in this bloody conflict. As it happens, many were very involved. 

I felt so privileged to run my hands over the polished wood, to stand on the deck and feel the riggings of this famous ship. The ambiance was so impressive and I felt so thankful that someone had the vision to raise and restore it.

A Short History of the Battle

The British could not say “Enough” even after their loss during the American Revolution. Another attempt to conquer the Americans by opening a way inland to the Ohio Valley through the Great Lakes was in progress.

American Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry stood ready to intercept and oppose the British war ships. During the summer of 1813, British troops occupied Detroit and depended on supplies shipped across Lake Erie. British officer, Robert Heriot Barclay was ordered to ship supplies to the Royal fleet. 

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was ordered to stop the supply ships. On September 10, 1813, the opposing fleets battled for over two bloody and exhausting hours on the lake. Perry's flagship, the USS Lawrence, fought largely alone as the rest of the fleet held back. With Perry’s ship badly disabled, Perry and his remaining crew rowed to the Niagara and set his battle flag to the Niagara’s mast. With a fresh ship and crew, fierce fighting ensued until every British ship was forced to surrender and the Crown lost a decisive battle where they had hoped to regain control. 

Perry had created his famous battle flag in memory of his friend Capt. James Lawrence who had spoken the famous words, “Don’t give up the ship” as he lay dying on the deck of his ship, the USS Chesapeake.

At this earlier battle in which Captain Lawrence was engaged near Boston battling against Royal Navy HMS Shannon, June 4, 1813, Capt. James Lawrence issued his last command. "Don't Give Up the Ship!". Perry was so inspired by his courage and bravery that he had the words sewn on his battle flag that flew aloft on the Niagara during the Battle of Lake Erie.

Today, this is still the last command from our Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Don’t give up the ship”

The Shepherdess Speaks...

The Shipwreck...

The Watcher and the Weeper

How often have I stood along the shore and watched helpless as someone makes shipwreck of their life. I am powerless to do anything but watch as the ship crashes against the rocks. Finally, it breaks apart and goes down beneath the relentless waves.

The warnings have come to all, to those who live along the coast; beware, beware, yet…some would go out despite the counsel, regardless of the pleadings of friend and family, heedless of the dark and ominous clouds gathering along the shoreline. They leave the safety of the calmer harbor, unaware or the danger lurking in the deepening shadows.

After the storm, I walk the shore looking out to sea where once the noble ship anchored beside the other vessels, its colors blowing proudly in the wind. With the morning tide, the wreckage washes upon shore. Pieces; broken parts of what was whole; a sliver of glass, a plank of wood, pages from the book of days, torn and ragged, unreadable, forever erased.

Some escaped alive and come to stand beside me while I gaze at the destruction rolling in with the tide. Their eyes are red and swollen from much weeping. A weeper stoops to loosen an ornately carved framework half buried in the wet sand. The glass is shattered and the wooden frame that once held a familiar likeness is broken.

Looking at me, the weeper says, “Can you fix this?”   

©2013ruthcarmichaelellinger

~~~

The Shepherdess Speaks

THE GREATEST PERSONAL JOURNAL

THE GREATEST PERSONAL JOURNAL

David was a common shepherd boy, anointed by Samuel and appointed by God to become one of Israel’s greatest kings—a Warrior-King. As Israel’s anointed leader, David ruled God’s chosen people, led their armies, and was Commander-in-Chief of their generals. Although he possessed a wise and noble character, he was not immune to the attack of Satan. David…slayer of giants, of lions and bears, was deceived by sin through the temptation of the flesh. He contrived to cover his sin but the faithful prophet exposed his condition. David repented and triumphed again because of one governing principle—he loved God more than he loved anything else. Love for God brought David back to repentance after this miserable failure. 

This fierce Warrior-King possessed an awe-inspiring attachment to all things pertaining to his God. His love for God following his transgression and God’s compassionate love for David, worked in him tenderness and gentleness that defined the character of this celebrated king. 

David loved God’s people and fought for God's honor with tenacity and determination. So great was his respect for God that he could not harm Saul, the man God had once chosen as a leader. If God had ever touched a man with his anointing, who was he to contradict God’s judgment, even though the man had failed? Instead, David showed mercy to a deceitful enemy and a loved but rebellious son. Deeply sensitive in his attitude toward God, David was always a man of humility, a faithful and trustworthy friend, a loyal patriot, a tender father with a gentle heart. 

Deserted and driven into exile, David remained valiant in spirit, encouraging himself in the Lord when there was no one left to comfort him. He endured hardship and deprivation and survived war and personal tragedy, family estrangements and the torments of betrayal. Throughout his life; the battles won and lost, through triumph and tragedy, success and failure, David’s love for God never wavered and has earned him a place in Biblical history as Israel’s greatest king; a man who would not let go of God. Written within the pages of David’s psalms is his life story, his own journal, a legacy to us, the reader. 

In his youth, the natural beauty of the heavens and all of God’s creation inspired this shepherd boy to write poetry and descriptive verse that expressed his passion for God and all creation. To his verse, he added music and song. In this personal writing, he wrote of his battles and the treachery of his enemies, of his perplexities, and even his wrath and envy. But more often, David wrote of the overcoming power of his God, of the Lord’s mercy and personal love to him, David. His praise of God is the prevalent theme of his poetry. Today we hold in our hands the poetry and songs of David, his musings, his reflections, his hopes and dreams, in effect, his personal journal, inspired of God and miraculously preserved down through the ages. It is an awesome and moving collection of writing. A five star read.

©2013RuthCarmichaelEllinger

~~~

Winter Break & Happy New Year

We began the new year with a “winter break” road trip to North Carolina staying in a lovely log house near the quaint little town of Hendersonville near the Blue Ridge

                               Audry and Alicia

We spent time hiking to the beautiful waterfalls and to Chimney Rock where scenes from the historic film, “Last of the Mohicans” was produced

 This area of the country is truly picturesque and again we are continually reminded of God’s handiwork in creation.  A photo of the 684 steps up to Chimney Rock

 Alexandria

 Audry with giant icicle

 The weather was cold, however, and we stopped along the road to “pick” icicles from places where water had frozen where it fell over the rocks. Best we could do for winter ambiance. Despite the lack of snow, our time together was precious, renewing, a time to make memories and eat at Mike’s on Main Street and Mama Christina’s Café at Flat Rock. What fun!

 Why do they call this the "blue ridge? When you see the breathtaking blue of this mountain range, you understand why

Alicia, Andria, and Audry In front of the first waterfall

Sisters and best friends in front of the falls

Since I have lived in areas of the country where winter snowfall was common and the first snow was always an exciting event, (maybe school would be canceled) I take for granted the wonder and beauty of seeing snow falling from the heavens to cover the ground, trees and shrubs in winter white

Mike's on Main Street in Hendersonville. A great place for lunch

Somehow, the American flag and the blue ridge at chimney rock just seem to go together. This picturesque point was the perfect ending to our winter break 

 

To see more photos, look on "Around the House" page

The Christmas Nativity Pageant

There's nothing quite as sweet and memorable as a children's nativity pageant. This year, the children in our congregation were especially cute and they did such a great job of re-enacting the birth of Christ. They sang with all their hearts. Only one little angel decided to try and hold the baby Jesus, but can you blame her?The wise men came after this photo but we caught little angel in the act.

A Christmas Story from "Women of the Secret Place"

THE GIVER

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD;

and that which he hath given will he pay him again”

 Proverbs. 19:17

  “Mom—what are you doing with my dishes?” I asked as I watched her removing the plates, my plates, from the china cupboard.

    “I’m giving them away,” she said simply, “to a family who truly needs them.”

    “But, Mom,” I protested peevishly, “you told me I could have those dishes when I had a home of my own. You know how I love those dishes!”

    “I’m sorry, honey, but the dishes are inexpensive and can be replaced with some really nice china when you have your own home someday.” Her eyes were downcast and I knew she felt bad about the dishes but that wasn’t going to change her mind.

    “You see, I met a family living in that old shack down by the river and they are in desperate need of just basic necessities.”

    Mom continued wrapping the dishes in newspaper and packing them into a box while I put on my best teenage rebel ugly look. Glancing at me, she stopped in her work and said in her gentle way.

    “I am really sorry the dishes I promised you, but it is almost Christmas and we want to share what we have with others less fortunate.”

    Less fortunate! I stormed inwardly. Who could be less fortunate than we were? I could only stare at my mother in disbelief. Someone should be sharing with us, I thought angrily. Due to a bad farming season of rains and floods, we were barely scraping by until next season and hopes of recovering our losses. Christmas would be meager this Christmas, but things would be better next season, Dad promised.

    I ran my hand over the raised knobby edge of the a large dinner plate, knowing I would never see the dishes again. The pattern was lovely with a pure white background and around the side of each plate was one beautiful red hibiscus with varied shades of green leaves. The contrast of red flower and green leaf against white was very festive. When Mom laid out the table with these particular dishes, it was usually for a company dinner. Several years earlier, I had claimed this set for my future home.

    Mom packed the last plate into the box, wrapping it with a tablecloth for the unfortunate family. Bitterness welled up inside me and I immediately disliked the wretched family that would soon be eating on my hibiscus dishes. Since they were the cause of my present unhappiness, I felt justified in despising them. They didn’t deserve handouts from others who were struggling too.

    Mom loaded the car with the box of dishes, kitchen utensils, blankets, outgrown clothing, and all the food she could spare. Mom took me along (almost kicking and screaming) to help carry the items she had assembled for the unfortunate family.

    The pathetic little shack by the river was drafty and damp. Four young children were sitting on newspapers around a rusty old cook stove. Used tin cans served as dishes and three rickety old chairs and a table were the only furnishings in the house if one could call it that. On the uneven wooden floor, beds made from heaps of dirty straw were piled near the stove. A girl with dark brown eyes smiled shyly up at me from where she sat on her straw pallet and I wondered, what on earth did she have to smile about.

    While my mother visited with the painfully thin woman, my eyes swept over the pitiful dwelling and I quickly realized that I was the fortunate one. We may not have a lot this winter, but I had a good home and a warm bed.

    Driving home, Mom shared the women’s story, telling me how her husband drank and left the family with scanty means for food and shelter. Finally, they were forced to move from their mortgaged home to this wretched wooden shelter.

    Sitting beside Mom on the drive home, I decided to forget about the hibiscus dishes and just be thankful for what I had. Later, lying on my warm bed on that cold December night, I confessed my selfish attitude to God and promised never to resent giving to the ‘unfortunates’ again.

    Years passed and I married and moved to where the hibiscus plant grew in profusion. I often wondered about my dishes and the family who had been in such desperate circumstances that long ago Christmas time.

    As and adult, I returned home often, especially during the holiday season. On one of my visits, my sisters and I attended a rummage sale, perusing the tables in search of some discarded treasure. I noticed a table filled with dishes and having a weakness for anything remotely related, I left my sisters who were sorting through the linens and apparel.

    I approached the table of dishware and peering into a cardboard box, I saw my hibiscus dishes! I was speechless. For years, I had searched for this exact pattern, looking online and foraging through antique shops and second hand stores. The woman behind the table smiled warmly when she saw me carefully turning over the plates.

    “Let me tell you a story about those dishes,” she said with a light in her brown eyes. “One cold Christmas when I was a child, our family was desperately needy. A kind woman brought this box of dishes along with food and clothing to our poor little home. Oh, how we loved those dishes! We set the table and the red, green, and white pattern seemed like a Christmas ornament sent from God. We sang and prayed and thanked God for sending that generous woman and for giving us those beautiful dishes.” A lump rose in my throat and tears sprang to my eyes, but I could not speak. The brown-eyed woman saw my tears.

    “I understand how you feel,” she said knowingly. “That story will bring the strongest man to tears. We enjoyed our hibiscus dishes for many years and never forgot the kind family who gave them to us.” She sighed. “It is hard to part with them, but the proceeds from this rummage sale will help support missionaries in Indonesia. I wanted to give, just like that woman so unselfishly gave to us. I always think of her as ‘the giver’ and try to follow her generous example.

    I swallowed hard and finally managed to speak. “I’ll take the whole box.”

    “All of them?” she queried. “I have been selling them by the piece, but so far, only a few have sold.”

    “I’ll take the entire box,” I reaffirmed.

    While she mentally added the price of each piece, I ventured a question. “Did your family recover from their financial difficulty?”

    “Oh, yes,” she affirmed. “My mother never gave up praying for my father and several years later, my father became a devoted Christian. After that, our home was happy with plenty to eat and a nice place to live.”

    She smiled, her brown eyes shining with the memory. I knew this must be the same brown-eyed girl who had smiled at me from the floor of the dilapidated old shanty.

   God continues to amaze me with His miraculous care and concern for all His children, for those who give, and for those who receive. My dishes had returned to me after so many years. Through my tears, I felt God’s hand on my shoulder, His sweet voice speaking words of love and reassurance; “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”  Pr. 19:17

Written by Ruth Carmichael Ellinger

From: Women of the Secret Place, copyright 2012 Ambassador International

For love's sake...

December Wedding Anniversary  2012

THE FIRE STILL BURNS...

“And the two shall be one flesh so then they are no more two, but one flesh.” Mark 10:8

In our one and only lifetime, there is one great love that comes along. Some say that fate brings a man and woman together or that time and chance present the condition that forms this passion. I say that God has our ‘oneness’ planned from the beginning. If we follow God’s leading, this person chosen by God, is destined to be our soul mate through life’s journey, this small space in time, our one great and passionate love for all time.

In one sense, we choose our destiny in connubial love, to allow the spark to become our great and consuming passion, or to allow it to die through lack of nurturing. We contribute to its increase or to its decline, if it will survive to the end of life.

We were two when love was young, all fire and passion. Years together smoothed the rough edges, softened the prickly places, weaving the threads together into one strong cord.

Our lives became a tapestry of moments, days and years. The flame strengthened, blending the color and shape of two lives into one burning fire, one steady light, one single existence without end.

~

From my wedding box

Didn't think I could still get into my wedding dress did you?

The fabric is still lovely, a heavy rose petal embossed satin. My college best friend made the dress and was a bridesmaid in the wedding

No one can fill his shoes. These days we are both putting our feet up and so blessed with many hands to help with the work,  God has been good

~

Last Reminder!

E-BOOK SALE! On A Snowy Christmas Eve:

Promotional price: $0.99
Coupon Code: FP92H  

Smashwords only - http://tinyurl.com/c2zrkp5
Expires: January 1, 2013

Did I hear someone say the "C" word?

I'm busy with so many projects so just posting a few things to give your eyes a rest and make you smile. This is a vintage stuffed toy dog named "Sparky." His head turns and he always makes me laugh. I brought him out to celebrate the holidays with us

 Did I hear someone say the "C" word?

 MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Remember the reason for the season

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. John 3:16

December...Month of Memories

Wintertime.  The barn on the Ohio farm where I grew up

  

Some memories etched in my mind during the month of December have lasted a lifetime, warming my life with thoughts of home, of love, of moonlit nights and frosty mornings. It was in December when I began dating Wright. He brought me a collie puppy in a shoebox, a red ribbon tied around his furry neck. This dog was my faithful companion and friend for 17 years.

Shawn

My second memory of the man God had chosen for me was at an ice-skating party in December. I was with another young man, but I saw him there, his skating form smooth, his self-assurance a part of his total presence. At the bonfire, he looked my way, his eyes laughing. I thought he was laughing at me because I was such a poor skater. Somehow, he knew.

Skating in the Moonlight

Why didn’t I taken more photos?

Our wedding anniversary is in the month of December and each year that passes is a blessing from God. In our one and only lifetime, there is one great love that comes along. Some say that fate brings a man and woman together or that time and chance present the condition that forms this passion. I say that God has our ‘oneness’ planned from the beginning. The person He has chosen is destined to be our soul mate through life’s journey, this space in time, a soul mate that will be to us our one great and passionate love for all time. In one sense, we choose our destiny in wedded love, to allow the spark to become our great and consuming passion, or to allow it to die through lack of nurturing. We contribute to its increase or its decline, and how it will be at the end.

The Beginning

Family Years

Thinking of you...

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun:
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MY LOVE