A Quote to Ponder

Every private citizen has a public responsibility. - Myra Janco Daniels

Worth a Thousand Words

Lyvi´s Fairy Quilt - Blocks 4 and 5

Here are blocks 4 and 5. Making good progress.

Wednesdays in Costa Rica

Every Wednesday morning between 9 and 9:30, the veggie man arrives on our neighborhood. Talk about service! He parks in front of my house, hops out of his truck and taps on gates shouting "VER-DU-RAS! Verduras! Verduras! VER-DU-RAS!" Verduras means vegetables. Along with some of my neighbors, I head outside to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Wednesday is always a day I look forward to for two reasons; first, of course, are the fruits and veggies, and secondly because it is a chance to visit briefly with my neighborhood friends. We talk about our flowers, family, and catch up on what is happening in the neighborhood. This, by the way, is not gossip. We just like being well informed. Anyway, wanted to share some photos of this morning´s veggie adventure with you.





These two ladies are very special friends. They have been neighbors for 35 years.


Doña Estrella is my next door neighbor. She loves roses, African violets, and orchids as much as I do. Doña is a title of respect. When I was growing up on a farm in Kentucky, we called folks Miss or Mr. For example, the folks on the next farm were Clem and Alfie Goodwin. We called them Mr. Clem and Miss Alfie. Estrella means star.

Doña Maruca lives across the street from me. She loves to tell me about her adventures with her sister who lives in Los Angeles, California. She flies up a couple of times a year. She says when she is older she is going to move to the USA and learn English. She 79. LOL

The boys who drive the truck and sell veggies for their dad. Chino, the one in the doorway, is 19 and has just recently been allowed to drive the truck. Chino is his nickname because he (supposedly) looks Chinese. He was very excited to tell me about his experience with some American girls a few days ago. Apparently, they wanted to take lots of photos of the veggie truck and of him. He winked and said he thought the veggies were just an excuse to take photos of him. Cute kid!

El Gordito is the other guy. Again that is just a nickname. It means "the little fat boy". It is not considered offensive to be called that here. Actually it is a term of affection.

Crates of fruits and veggies in the truck.

El Gordito weighing my red cabbage.

These were my purchases for today. I spent the equivalent of $22.

Pineapples. Cantaloupes. Plantians (look like large bananas).

Potatoes. Cucumbers. Tomatoes. Red and white onions.

Bell peppers. Parsley. Cilantro.

Broccoli. Yuca. Squash (I consider it to be more of a pumpkin than a squash).

Red and regular cabbage. Mangoes. Yuca.

Celery. Tangerines. Bananas. Lemon (that´s the large round object beside the tangerines. They call it a limon real).

Close up of the mangoes and the limon real.

Tangerines and limon real.

More of my beautiful veggies.



For those of you who are unfamiliar with plantains......They are the same family as bananas but are larger, the fruit is more of a yellow color, and the flavor is different from that of the banana. A hand of regular sized bananas are sitting on top of the plantains.

Since I buy all these lovely veggies on Wednesday, it is also my soup-making day. Wanted to share that with you too.

I start with a very large pot (this one holds almost 4 gallons). I put a generous amount of olive oil in the pot and start to saute some of the veggies. I start with onions, lots of them.

Add chopped bell peppers.

Chopped tomatoes.

Chopped garlic. Lots of it.

Plenty of celery.

Fresh parsley.

I don´t chop it very fine.

This is called cilantro. In Honduras this is the only kind there was. Here in Costa Rica this is cilantro coyote which means wild cilantro. You can get cilantro in a lot of grogery stores in the USA, but it will not look like this. The cilantro in the USA is very mild flavored whereas cilantro coyote has a much stronger taste. We prefer the cilantro coyote.

Chopped cilantro.

Now that all those veggies are nicely sauteed, I add a kilo of ground beef and cook until the meat is done. While the meat is cooking I am chopping up more veggies. Once the meat is done, I add a couple gallons of water to the pot and start putting in the following veggies.

Carrots.

Here they call this a squash, although it is much more the color and flavor of pumpkin.

The chopped up squash.

This is yuca which you peel and cut in wedges.

Chopped broccoli.

Potatoes.

Red cabbage.

Regular cabbage.

I always add plantains to my soup. It tastes great.

And here is my finished pot of soup. I add fresh basil and oregano when I have it.... dried when I don´t have fresh. I salt and pepper to taste.

Hope you enjoyed sharing my day.

Blessings.

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 6 The Fear of the LORD

Part 1

Lesson 6 will be divided into 3 parts and will be the last lesson about GOD the FATHER. Lesson 7 will begin our study of GOD the SON. I trust you are enjoying our study and I welcome comments as long as they display love, kindness, and respect.

In this lesson we will look at fear. It would seem that there is a wrong and a right kind of fear. There are many precious messages in the Scripture that speak to my heart. One of my favorites is “Fear not”. This phrase is used some 50 times. Here are a few of the passages where this phrase can be found: Genesis 15:1; Genesis 26:24; Exodus 14:13; Isaiah 43:1; Luke 2:10; and there are many others.

JESUS used a variation of this phrase when HE said in John 6:20 “It is I; be not afraid.”

This lesson, however, is about the other kind of fear, the kind we are to have - the fear of GOD.

Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Psalm 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

II Samuel 23:3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

Lacking in this type of fear will bring sin and disillusion into our lives, as well as possible tragedy. Abraham sinned because “And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.” Genesis 20:11. He wrongly thought he was beyond the fear of GOD and was free.

Romans 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. This is a picture of degenerate man.

What Does It Mean - FEAR OF THE LORD or FEAR OF GOD?

Proverbs 14:26-27 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Fear of the LORD or fear of GOD does not mean that we stand before the presence of GOD and tremble with a physical fear. Dr. C. I. Scofield describes the fear of the LORD as “reverential trust with a hatred of evil.” Fear of the LORD means piety. It expresses our religious duty toward GOD.

Deuteronomy 4:10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

From this verse we can see that the fear of the LORD is essential, but it is not something we can inherit from our parents. It must be taught to our children and to other people so that each generation may learn to fear GOD. Fear is what GOD requires from each of us. Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

What things are we not to fear?

We are not to fear idols or other gods.
II Kings 17:38 And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods.

We are not to fear man.
I Samuel 15:24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Saul got into a lot of trouble because his fear was misplaced.

We are not to fear earthly calamities for they signify the return of our Saviour.
Luke 21:25-28 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

The true believer does not fear future punishments.
Hebrews 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

We are not to fear “fear”.
Job 15:24 Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
I Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Care here is worry or fear.

The only fear that remains is a holy fear of the LORD GOD HIMSELF, and that we are to have in abundance.

Lyvi´s Fairy Quilt - Block 3

Here is Block 3 for Lyvi´s quilt. Only 21 to go!

A Quote to Ponder

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. - George Carlin

Worth a Thousand Words

Lyvi´s Fairy Quilt - Block 2

Here is block 2 for Lyvi´s quilt. Only 22 to go!

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 5 Names and Fatherhood of GOD

Part 2 - The Fatherhood of GOD

OUR FATHER

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

This is our happiest concept of GOD. A loving, heavenly FATHER is unknown in pagan religions which portray GOD as terrible, cruel, and one to be feared. The Bible, however, pictures GOD as loving, friendly, approachable, companionable, and desirable.

It was JESUS CHRIST, the SAVIOUR, WHO taught us to pray “Our FATHER”

GOD is revealed as a FATHER in two ways:

1) As the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

2) As the FATHER of those who believe on the LORD JESUS.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

The Jews thought of GOD as their FATHER in a national or poetical sense:

1) Poetical.

Psalm 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

2) National.

Exodus 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

Israel did not have a personal consciousness of being a son as “GOD is my FATHER”

Today, modern man reasons “GOD is my FATHER and my FATHER will not harm me, so I will take my ease, eat, drink, and be merry and HE will be merciful to me in the end.”

JESUS speaks to the Jews in John 8:44: Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

GOD is the CREATOR of all, but only the FATHER to those that are in the family.

II Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

As a FATHER, GOD gives life to HIS children; there is no sonship without a new birth. As a FATHER, GOD gives love to HIS children, to those in the family of GOD. This relationship of FATHER and son gives a true idea picture of how we are to serve HIM. It is not a master and slave relationship, but rather one of FATHER and son. It is as a FATHER that GOD hears and answers our prayers.

Lyvi´s Fairy Quilt - Block 1

I am working on a full size quilt for grand daughter Olyvia who will be 3 in April. She loves fairies. The quilt will have 24 blocks with fairies. Haven´t decided how I will set them together yet. I plan to hand quilt this one. The method I am using is called the crayon method. The drawing is done with a permanent black Sharpie and then I use crayons to add the color. After each block is finished the block is pressed with a very hot iron using waxed paper. The wax on the paper seals the crayon into the fabric, making it permanent. It can then be washed many times without losing the color. Only 23 blocks to go!

A Quote to Ponder

Draw a circle, not a heart, around the one you love because a heart can break but a circle goes on forever. - Unknown

Worth a Thousand Words

Crochet Project 3

I´ve been working on this afghan for several years. It is what I can a scrap afghan. It is made of left over yarn from other projects. Rather than throw it away, I used in to add on to this afghan. It finally reached a nice size and I finished it. Now it is time to start another.

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 5 Names and Fatherhood of GOD

Part 1 - Names

Up to this point in our study we have learned about the existence of GOD, and about HIS nature and unity. In Bible lands, names had and have a significance unknown to us in the West. In a study of the names of GOD we can learn many things about GOD.

The Names of GOD are found in three forms:

1. Primary

2. Compound with EL

3. Compound with JEHOVAH

Primary name is one word only. For example: EL, ELAH, ELOHIM, JEHOVAH, ADON, ADONAI, GOD, LORD

Compound with EL. For example: ALMIGHTY GOD, MOST HIGH GOD, EVERLASTING GOD

Compound with JEHOVAH. For example: LORD GOD, JEHOVAH the EVERLASTING GOD

Let´s take a look at some of the Names of GOD, where they are found in Scripture, and what they mean.

1. ELOHIM is found in Genesis 2:4 and means THE ONE WHO IS MIGHTY or THE LORD WHO CREATES.

Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

2. EL ELYON is found in Genesis 14:22 and means THE ONE WHO IS SUPREME or THE LORD WHO OWNS.

Genesis 14:22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

3. ADONAI is found in Genesis 15:2 and means THE ONE WHO IS RULING or
THE LORD OUR MASTER.

Genesis 15:2 And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

4. EL OLAM is found in Genesis 21:33 and means THE ONE WHO IS MYSTERIOUS or THE LORD WHO REVEALS.

Genesis 21:33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

5. JIREH is found in Genesis 22:14 and means THE ONE WHO REDEEMS or THE LORD WHO PROVIDES.

Genesis 22:14 1And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

6. ROPHI is found in Exodus 15:26 and means THE ONE WHO HEALS or THE LORD WHO HEALS.

Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

7. NISSI is found in Exodus 17:5 and means THE ONE WHO FIGHTS FOR US or THE
LORD OUR BANNER.

Exodus 17:5 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

8. YEKADDIA is found in Exodus 31:13 and means THE ONE WHO IS SANCTIFICATION or THE LORD WHO SANCTIFIED.

Exodus 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.

9. SHALOM is found in Judges 6:24 and means THE ONE WHO GIVES PEACE or THE LORD OUR BANNER.

Judges 6:24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

10. SABOOTH is found in I Samuel 1:3 and means THE ONE WHO IS POSSESSING or THE LORD OF HOST

I Samuel 1:3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

11. ZIDKENU is found in Jeremiah 23:6 and means THE ONE WHO IS JUSTIFYING or THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jeremiah 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

12. SHAMMAH is found in Ezekiel 48:35 and means THE ONE WHO IS PRESENT or THE LORD AT HAND.

Ezekiel 48:35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.

13. ELYON is found in Psalm 7:17 and means THE ONE WHO IS BLESSING or THE LORD WHO BLESSES.

Psalm 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

14. ROI is found in Psalm 23:1 and means THE ONE WHO IS CARING or THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD.

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

GOD is revealed to us through HIS Names. Let us give thanks for HIS love and care of us, HIS children.

A Quote to Ponder

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. - John Quincy Adams

Crochet Project 2

Another crochet project. Make a set of place mats and matching coasters.

Worth a Thousand Words

Crochet Project 1

I have been teaching myself to crochet things that are round. Apparently much more difficult than simple back and forth.