Deuteronomy 8
All the commandments which I command you this day shall you observe to do, that you may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD promised unto your fathers. And you shall remember all the way which the LORD thy God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, [and] to prove you, to know what [was] in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or not. And he humbled you, and suffered you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon you, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. You shall also consider in your heart, that, as a man chastens his son, [so] the LORD thy God chastens you. Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. For the LORD your God brings you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; A land wherein you shall eat bread without scarceness, you shall not lack any [thing] in it; a land whose stones [are] iron, and out of whose hills you may dig brass. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which he has given you. Beware that you forget not the LORD your God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes: Lest [when] you have eaten and are full, and have built nice houses and dwelt [therein]; And [when] thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that you has is multiplied; Then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, [wherein were] fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where [there was] no water; who brought you water out of the rock of flint; Who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers knew not, that he might humble you, and that he might prove you, to do you good at your latter end; And you say in your heart, My power and the might of [mine] hand has gotten me this wealth. But you shall remember the LORD your God: for [it is] he that gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he promised to your fathers, as [it is] this day. And it shall be, if you do at all forget the LORD your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroyed, so shall you perish; because you would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God.

It is almost here! The season that we've all been looking forward to. The colors, the smells, the crispness in the air.... ahhhh.

Sweaters - I know that sounds strange, but I like sweaters.

Yet in all of this I really like the Fall because it is a season for families to get together. Local fairs, Thanks-giving dinner, campfires, nights around the kitchen table playing Settlers eating Pumkin pie. Our annivesary (33rd) and Judi's birthday (29th).

Or perhaps it is that the autumn season calls us back to a closer communion with God. The summer is filled with so many distractions (not all bad of course). But summer always seems to focus on self interests. You may have another point of view, but I for one look forward to the days that lay ahead.

Psalms 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Ok! So I am having a hard time getting up from the kitchen table... I'm allowed. However, I am going out to work the ranch now. Sometimes all this revisiting the past is tiring. I think I've got jet lag. Memories are good, well good memories are good! In fact God encourages us to be ever mindful of his Faithfullness to us. I pray your memories of God in your life only serve to bring glory to His name and strength to your determination to be all that He has called you to be!

Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.

This is a picture of Beamer's Falls (dry) on Forty Mile Creek.

I don't need to look too far to see God's handiwork. The trees are a canvas to themselves. If I close my eyes I can almost smell the leaves. The bridge in the background is on Ridge Rd. It was at a vineyard locatted on this road that my mom work as an imagrant labourer. She would place my baby brother and I on a blanket among the miles of grapevines and pick grapes until dusk. God has blessed her for her many sacrifices. Live was anything but easy in those early days of them coming to Canada.

Part Two ....
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert.

As a youngster I had myself many adventures along Forty Mile Creek in Grimsby, Ontario. Many a Saturday I would spend the whole day scrambling over boulders and searching caves along the banks of this awesome creek. Although I almost drowned on one occasion, the creek has always held a special place among my childhood memories.

However, now that I'm a bit older and less likely to be scrambling over the rocks (although I still can, really!) I favor the pathways through the woods (wilderness). But, O the Saturday adventures... Bag lunch (Mock Meat Chicken Loaf) or a campfire with a hotdog or two.... ahhhh!

Isaiah 43:19

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert.

I love when God makes a way in the wilderness. Our ranch I am sure is a wilderness to some, but God has made pathways there for me. And no matter the state of my mind or heart at the first step I am the better for it at the last. I thank God everyday for my wilderness. Yes, even on those days when I am bone weary tired, I sit for a moment at a campfire or hanging over a rail fence and the peace of God soothes in a way no eight person hot tub could. Never did see what those city folk saw in those things any way.

Don't let this be your last supper!

I know my sense of humor is skewed, but sadly for a large number of God's children this is the level they are at. One "Happy Meal" after another. God's Word has so much more for us. It is the Bread of life,yet we settle for a Happy Meal. What is that all about? Is it the prize?

I think it is high time for us to get into the "meat and potatoes" of God's Word. Besides you don't need to collect all 12 toys to get into Heaven.... you just need Jesus!

"One Happy Dude"

I took a "Happiness" Test the other day. The following is a copy of the results.

Ed, you're happier than 98 percent of the other people who took this Happiness Test.

Our experts measured your overall happiness level in relation to other test takers. They examined your attitudes and behaviors in the seven proven areas of life that are known to determine your happiness: Contentment, Confidence, Gratitude, Personal Growth, Cheerfulness, Relationships, and Optimism.Your test results show that your level of gratitude is one of the things that helps you feel happier overall. This means that for the most part you have a strong sense of appreciation for life's blessings. You probably also tend to view life as deep and rich with meaning. By regularly reflecting on the good around you or using prayer, you are the kind of person who can cultivate a continuous sense of thankfulness for the whole experience of living.

I do appreciate life's many blessings. Thank you Jesus!

"Opa's Influence"

Several folks in our church are avid bloggers, and I enjoy reading them. I love watching God at work in peoples lives. This morning I read Words of a Wolfe. Becky wrote about dryness, the dust of the earth, and the scorch of summer boredom. She then brought her readers to the Psalms and provided a way out of our three month sentce of boredom.

I had to chuckle because although we at the Brouwer house were feeling a bit of the same, we got over it in a more worldly way. I confess to all of you my sin, therefore if something were to happen to me you would all know where to look for the guilty party, (my daughter). Let me explain.

We have Mercy and Dawson (our grandkids) with us for a few weeks and this morning we did a "no no". I decided that at 54 I could have whatever I wanted for breakfast, so today I had a bowl of ice cream and two huge chocolate cookies. The kids snitched on me to Oma, who was niether impressed or sympathetic to my freedom of choice speech. In the end, I won the kids over and they joined me in my sinful choice. They too, had a bowl of ice cream (Neapolitian) and chocolate cookies. So far today has not been boring, our enegry level is good and I sense the happiness of being at Oma and Opa's place. The kids are talking, singing, clapping and dancing, all while colouring and painting as they run from room to room helping their Oma with her housework. Life is good, but, I think I'll get my bible and go outside for a walk.