Fall in North Idaho

I Am Back (Hopefully!)

Hello again blog world!

I have been absent for over a month, as I had some computer issues.  First, it started to work slow, make a lot of noise, and then a white screen appeared and never went away.  Sad day.  However, we still had a month of a two year very limited warranty left, so we prayed like crazy that whatever all was wrong, would be covered under that warranty.  Since the computer is less than two years old, we were a little frustrated and sad that everything quit working so soon.  We took it to the shop, and the tech started to go through things.  His first assessment was that whatever was wrong was more than likely not covered under the warranty.  I felt kind of sick to my stomach, as I knew there was no way we could afford a new computer right now.   After a few minutes, the tech started to think differently, and began to run a test on the hard drive.  Within two minutes, 55 bad spots were already present on the hard drive.  He tried to finish the test but it wouldn't budge past 10% of the hard drive.  They packed it up and sent it off, where we received a new hard drive, under warranty.  Thank you so much, God!  

After two weeks, we got the computer back, but not all the updates had been installed or fixed from the hard drive frying.  So, back to the local shop it went.  Finally, over a month later, we have our computer back today.  Things appear to be running correctly.  

It has not been my month for electronics.  About the time the computer died, my phone started to not work correctly, as well.  Fortunately, we were up for an upgrade, and it was a week after the iPhone 4 became a free phone, so that worked out great, as well.  I don't need all the new bells and whistles on a new iPhone, so was thrilled to get the 4.  Now, I just have to learn how to run everything on it.  I finally have a smart phone, not a dumb (smart) phone, like the android product I had before.  This phone may be a bit too smart for me!  ha ha

About the time all this happened, I had a fatality with my wide angle, 18-55 camera lens.  This is not a fix, unfortunately.  On top of that, two weeks ago, my camera decided to join in the electronic mayhem going on in my life.  The card reader decided to not read the card, so now my camera is in the shop, as well.  Being without my computer and not being able to edit photos and work on business, was bad enough, but being without my camera is like a big part of me is missing.  My camera is my therapy, my stress reliever, what I totally enjoy as a way to escape the stresses of life for even a few moments.  It is the way to capture the incredible beauty all around me, and I missed the week of the Fall colors in the height of their glory.  I went out and enjoyed the beautiful colors, but it wasn't quite the same without my camera.  Hopefully, it will be back next week. Hopefully the end of electronic mayhem is in site, as well.

I hope a few of you are still out there.  I look forward to catching up on some blogging, and with those blogs I follow, as well.  

Aaron Shust - We Are Free

Smoky Night Sunset

The air was very smoky last night, which makes it difficult to breathe, but makes for amazing sunsets.  I found a spot in an unharvested wheat field, and spent some time capturing the gift God blessed us with through the smoky night.  

Show Respect and Support to the Martin Family

Please show support and respect to this family for their son's sacrifice:  

Janene Grende shared this on facebook.........Army Spc. Ethan Martin will be coming home Friday, August 17th. His family will be waiting in Sandpoint, at the airport, as Ethan comes home from Dover AFBAn official procession will bring him home to Bonners Ferry. PLEASE, please take time out of your day to bring an American flag, make a sign saying THANK YOU, and let's line up along the highway in front of the Bonners Ferry
 middle school and National Guard building. It is expected that Ethan will pass by at 1130 am TOMORROW in Bonners Ferry. Please spread the word, gather your Boy Scout troops, your 4-H groups, your civic groups, church groups, office staff...etc. Can we please show this family our gratitude? Let's begin gathering at about 11:00 am at the National Guard, or earlier, to ensure we are there on time. I would love to see our love and gratitude stretch the entire highway clear to the funeral home and beyond.  We should line the hwy from Big R north with people and flags too! His body comes into the Sandpoint airport at 10 tomorrow, so please gather along Hwy 95 in Sandpoint, starting at Big R, at 10 a.m.

Storms of Life

I know a lot of people facing many trials and life storms right now.  It is easy to get swept away in the worry, circumstances, and stress of those trials but we have to remember God is there, and He is bigger than anything we face.  The fact is, we all face life storms and trials in our life.  The question is how do we deal with them?  Do we get wrapped up in fear, or do we turn to God, knowing He will take care of us and guide us through the storm.

(Allow the video to load all the way, then watch it, or you will have to keep starting it to keep up with the stream.)

Great I Am

Judge

Tattoos      Piercings      Long Hair      Short Hair

Man             Woman

Differing Political Views

Rich        Poor

Different Nationality

Biker      Cowboy      Preppy      Athlete

Purple Hair      Gray Hair

Young      Old

Dressed Casual       Dressed Up

Country Bumpkin        City Slicker

Drives a Ford        Drives a Chevy

Vegan      Meat Eater

Single     Married     Remarried      Divorced     Widowed

Has a Past of Drug and Alcohol Abuse    

Has Never Touched Drugs or Alcohol

Thin       Heavy Set

Has Kids        Doesn't Have Kids

Corporate Worker       Burger Flipper

Genius         Mentally Challenged

Loves Dogs         Loves Cats

PC or Mac  

While some of these are for fun, they are all differences we come across in life.  There are many others, but this is just a sampling.  How do you look at others different than you?  How do you treat others that aren't the same as you?  Do you judge them because they are different?  




Jesus came and died for ALL.  He loves ALL.  He loves even those we find unloveable.  He doesn't want anyone to live apart from Him.  When we judge others by their social group, their marital or child status, their look, their past, where they live, we elevate ourselves to a level equal with God.  God is the one and only judge.  We aren't.  The Bible says, DON'T judge, or you will be judged as you judge others.  Think about that a minute.  Think about how you think of those you are different from, those who you may not approve of their look, their  nationality, how they act.  We are told to LOVE.  Love all, even if we are on opposite ends of the spectrum of life.  We don't have to accept certain things that go against God and His word, but we do have to love the person.  We don't have to be best friends with everyone, but we do have to love them like Christ did.  To God, we are all the same.  We are all sinners who need grace and forgiveness offered through Christ.  Some accept it His grace, love and forgiveness, some don't.  If we do accept Christ, His love and forgiveness, we are to model how He has accepted us, and treated us.  Yes, there is right and wrong in the world, and while you can stand for your values and beliefs, do it in a way to not judge those who oppose you.  Do it in a way that shows God's love to the world around you, who is watching your example.  You may be the only example of Christ that someone ever sees.  What are you showing them?  How do you represent your Savior?  






Matthew chapter 7 says it this way:
"Don't judge others, or you will be judged. You will be judged in the same way that you judge others, and the amount you give to others will be given to you."Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the big piece of wood in your own eye?  How can you say to your friend, 'Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye'?? Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend's eye."


Or as The Message puts it... 
"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. Matthew 7:1-5 




^{Luke 6:27-38}   “I say to you who hear Me, love those who work against you. Do good to those who hate you.  Respect and give thanks for those who try to bring bad to you. Pray for those who make it very hard for you.  Whoever hits you on one side of the face, turn so he can hit the other side also. Whoever takes your coat, give him your shirt also.  Give to any person who asks you for something. If a person takes something from you, do not ask for it back.  Do for other people what you would like to have them do for you.  “If you love those who love you, what pay can you expect from that? Sinners also love those who love them.  If you do good to those who do good to you, what pay can you expect from that? Sinners also do good to those who do good to them.  If you let people use your things and expect to get something back, what pay can you expect from that? Even sinners let sinners use things and they expect to get something back.  But love those who hate you. Do good to them. Let them use your things and do not expect something back. Your reward will be much. You will be the children of the Most High. He is kind to those who are not thankful and to those who are full of sin. 


“You must have loving-kindness just as your Father has loving-kindness.  Do not say what is wrong in other people’s lives. Then other people will not say what is wrong in your life. Do not say someone is guilty. Then other people will not say you are guilty. Forgive other people and other people will forgive you.  “Give, and it will be given to you. You will have more than enough. It can be pushed down and shaken together and it will still run over as it is given to you. The way you give to others is the way you will receive in return.”


For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever.  For God did not send His Son into the world to say it is guilty. He sent His Son so the world might be saved from the punishment of sin by Him. John 3:16-17

July 4th Moon Rising

Thanks to my friend, Darlene, for sharing this version of the Star Spangled Banner.

Freedom

 These are thoughts that have been going through my mind for quite some time, but seem appropriate to talk about on this Independence week.  

Do you do anything to preserve your freedoms, other than complain on facebook, and elsewhere?  Do you take real action or do you just whine and complain, but don't do anything to try to preserve the freedoms we have, and try to hold on to, the freedoms, rights, and things you value?  Do you write letters, emails, make phone calls to those in government to share your concerns and opinions and take a stand for what you value and hold dear?  If you just rant about it on your facebook page, it really doesn't matter, you are just making noise because those thoughts are not reaching those we have hired by voting them in to office to represent us.  Unless we decide to  make our government by the people, for the people, our freedoms will disappear and we will destroy America from the inside.  If people started to take a stand for their freedoms, for their rights, for the Constitution, for those things we hold dear from the Word of God, for what others have fought so hard to preserve for over 200 years, we could make a difference.  But, what I see more are people who like to complain about everything, but won't take a stand for anything.  We need to start taking stands to preserve our freedoms, our country, by voting, by contacting state senators and reps, by honoring those who have died and fought to keep our country free.  Do you thank those who have, and are fighting for our country?  They are the reason people can even carry on their rants, because they fought for this country, for our rights, our freedoms, to preserve the Constitution of the United States. 

If your freedoms are important to you, then stand up and let your elected officials know your thoughts.  I am not talking about being violent, or about acting disrespectful to those you oppose.  Standing up for your freedoms can be done in a civilized, God-honoring way, and if you are a Christ follower, they should be done in a way that honors Christ.  

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."   Edmund Burke

If your freedoms are important, if you love your country, then be proud to be an American and take a stand for your freedoms, for the next generations freedoms.  


Remember to thank those who have served our country, every chance you get, too!!  







Gettysburg Address...


Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.


Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.


But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.