Marvelous Monday

This past weekend was warm and hot in Brandon MB.   So,  what does a quilter do on a warm, hot day?   Iron blocks, of course.... using a steam iron :)    Our camera is at the Museum,  so these two arcs are scanned into the computer.    These arcs are the beginnings of a 32 block quilt.  With these arcs placed this way for scanning kinda makes them look like dinosaur feet, doesn't it!  I am hoping this quilt will be completed by mid-August.   But with the numerous Museum tours and projects,  my quilting time is shorter.

Yesterday was a day of worship.  A time of praising God.    I played the piano for the St. Andrew's  Presbyterian congregation.   They are currently in the process of seeking a minister.   They are a wonderful congregation.  Any minister would be honoured to pray about a call to this congregation!  Many prayers for this congregation.   


Monday Retreat....

Prayer:  Great God,  grant us to be faithful  to You.  Grant us courage as we go about our daily lives.  Great God,  grant us strength to do Your work here on earth.  This we ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Read St. Matthew 24:  15 – 22

What do you think of when you read the words:  “The abomination that causes desolation”?   Sounds horrible doesn’t it.  Jesus then instructs the disciples that those who are in Judea are to flee to the mountains.    This is rather confusing for us but if we look at where Jesus is quoting,  it begins to make sense.    The “abomination that causes desolation” is from the Book of Daniel 9:27.  Daniel has just finished praying,  Gabriel appears and says to Daniel that his prayers are answered.   Jerusalem will be rebuilt and restored…. but there will be a  ruler who comes and destroys  the city.  War will continue.  There will be one who decrees a covenant which ends the sacrifices and offerings.  The one comes will cause desolation by offering pork upon the Temple Alter (and anything to do with pork is a huge no-no in Jewish laws).   All seems hopeless….but yet,  Daniel is instructed to continue living in God’s presence… to hold onto that faith and rest in God.

Jesus quotes this portion of Daniel so that the disciples will be reminded that there will be tough times….very tough times  in the faith but to hold onto their faith and hope and rest in God no matter what.

Do we today continue our hope and trust in God no matter what?   Jesus never said that the Christian life was easy.  Jesus said to hold onto the faith with great hope and love in God  and to  rest in God. 

Almighty God,  we rest and abide in You.   Grant us wisdom,  grant us courage so that we can carry out Your work this day. And in everything,  may Your will be done.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.