Apple Cider

The Truth About Homemade Apple Cider

The apples were hanging so ripe on the trees,

We went out to pick them, and what did we see?

Hundreds of cowflaps around on the ground,

When the apples fell in them, they made quite a sound!

The poor tree was shaken 'til the last apples dropped,

And into a grainbag they quickly were popped.

The good and the bad, the wormy and bruised,

We weren't very fussy 'bout the apples we used.

We hauled all the apples to Grandpa's front lawn,

He said, "You'll be working from now until dawn!"

From the barn, we dug out the old cider press,

It was covered with cobwebs and was really a mess.

The apples were ground, they were squeezed, they were pressed.

A worm here and there, but you wouldn't have guessed.

After we finished, we all took a rest

And declared that our cider was surely the best!

                             -- Lisa G. Harriman

How Fitting!

Today ends our Polliwog Pages Summer Writing Contest. 

Today's poem 

"Fall Coming - Summer Fading"

is a very fitting way for it to end.

(click here)

The judges will be reading and choosing 2 winners this week.

(5-10 yrs, 11-15 yrs)

Winners will be anounced on Monday, September 2

"Bless This Food"

I grew up with the habit of thanking God for the food at every meal. Our family holds hands around the table. It gives a sense of oneness. (and also keeps little fingers from grabbing things)

My father tells how a simple blessing poem brought his family to Christ. His older brother learned it at school (Imagine that!) and taught it to the family at home.

God is great and God is good,

And we thank Him for our food;

By His hand must all be fed,

Give us, Lord, our daily bread. 

My grandparents thought about this great God of goodness and sought Him. God blessed the family and used many of the following generations in His service around the world.

Why do we say Grace at mealtime? 

I admit that it can become just a habit - rattling off words without thinking. But where did it begin? Why is it important? Is it a good habit to teach our children?

Last Sunday, our pastor spoke from Leviticus 17. God instructed the Israelites to bring every animal that had been killed for meat to the tabernacle, to be offered first as a sacrifice to the LORD. Having to do this often, put God first in their lives. He was to be the center of everything they did.

We are not under the law anymore. We are not required to fulfil a list of rules to gain acceptance to God. But He still wants us to put Him first in our lives. Everything we think or do should bring glory to Him. We should constantly remember that all we have is from Him. Everything we do is arranged by Him.

A dear woman in our church wrote this poem -

First in all of my doings,

First in all I say,

First in all my pursuings,

First in my heart every day. 

Guest Poet - "Let the Adventure Begin

Let the Adventure Begin

"I'm all Yours," I said to my wonderful Lord.

" I'll go where you want me to go,

I'll be what you want me to be.

I'm committed; let the adventure begin."

"How about a missions trip to Hawaii,

Jamaica, or Haiti?" I thought.

"How about a hospital room?"

 He said.

"Not what I had in mind, Lord;

how about England, Ireland, or Scotland?"

I countered.

"How about a Cancer clinic?" He said.

"Not what I was thinking, Lord;

how about China, Vietnam or Cambodia?"

I insisted.

"How about a nursing and rehabilitation facility?

 He said.

"Well, Lord, those are really not the 'cups' I want to drink of,

but nevertheless, 'not my will but thine be done,'"

I surrendered.

"Well then," He said, "Let the adventure begin,

for I am your God.

I will never leave you nor forsake you!

Stick with Me and see where My path will take you."

"Yes Lord," I affirmed.

Jilleen Briggs January 14, 2013