Issue 3 – June/July 2011

ell it on the MountainInspiration for Today

The Upward Climb Think You're Too Small to Make a Difference? Think Again! 10 Things Kids Ask Their Dads And again we will be saved Expecting Grace or Saved by Grace? Not a Latte and Not a Mocha Grande Sum it up Solomon Motherhood Makes Me Cry The Lost Purse No Place Like Home 10 Wrong Thoughts About God and more . . .

Photo taken by Joshua MacBurnie age 10

Approx. 25”X 11”

Caleb MacBurnieAge 13

NB, Canada

To place an order, please contact me atchipawaywoodworking@live.ca

Child's Pic-Nic Table

Welcome Friends,

Summer is here! Although it seems like it's been along time coming (at least for me), it has arrived!

So tell me, what are some of your plans this year? Camping, travelling the world, vegging on your deck? Whatever they are, I hope you have an awesome summer!

There is so much to share with you in this issue. We have a lot of very talented people. We are receiving more submissions from our young people as well. Wait till you see what they have be up to! Painting, photography, writing, woodworking, music... Check'em out and send them a little note of encouragement. (I'm sure it would be thankfully received).

Don't forget to send your articles in to tellitonthemountain@live.ca We love to share your inspiration with others. Deadline July 15, 2011.

Till next time,Deanne MacBurnie

ps: Don't forget to read through to the end.... Thx

Guest List

Mike CampagnaPaul Cheng

Shane CorbettCaleb MacBurnie

Keturah MacBurnieMike MesserliGabriel Myers

Guy MyersHolly MyersRina PeruEmily Vail

Christa WellsMarie WikleMegan Wikle

Carousel BridalKim Winter's Photography

Marli's CreationsOutFlow Ministry

Spreading Joy CorpWater Ski Camp

Expecting Grace or Amazed By Grace ? (There’s an eternal difference!)

by Guy Myers Ks

One of the favourite songs people like to sing at funerals is ‘Amazing Grace’ but the thing I find interesting is that people don’t think grace is amazing at all.

Why do we think things are amazing? If we were to observe something and say, ‘That’s amazing!’ Why would we say that? My favourite sport is football and my favourite running back is Barry Sanders. When I use to watch Barry run, my jaw would drop open because he could make people miss. Defensive players didn’t like to play against him because they would end up in the highlight reel lunging to grab Barry and would end up grasping the air. My wife does not enjoy football, but when I show her a clip of Barry running she ends up saying something like, ‘that’s amazing!’ Why is that amazing? Is it because everyone can run like Barry? Could we just grab anyone off the street to replace Barry? No! Barry’s retired now and I sure miss seeing him run and I haven’t seen anyone run like Barry since! I wonder if he has a son?

That’s why I don’t think most people think grace is amazing because most people expect grace. If you were to go out on the street and ask them if God would forgive them they would tell you Yes! God is a forgiving God and they would expect to be forgiven. Yet the John Newton who wrote Amazing Grace didn’t expect to be forgiven. John was a wretch just like the song talks about. John was a slave trading, immoral, drunk who only lived for himself. So when God forgave John for his sins he couldn’t believe it, he was amazed! He certainly didn’t expect God to forgive him and he knew what he deserved.

Grace is even more amazing when we realize how God made forgiveness possible. God

not only made forgiveness possible He did it by asking His Son to come and take our punishment for us by dying on the cross. Would you give your only son to die for your enemy? Jesus was also the only one who could be our substitute which makes Him amazing! People like to remind us that grace is free and they’re right, it is. Grace is free for us but not for Jesus. It cost Him everything. It would be like someone having to pay the debt of the U.S., $14 trillion. They never caused the overwhelming debt, but they step in and say I’ll take care of that. That’s what Jesus did. He paid the debt for our sin and He gave all! But for us its free…that’s amazing.

The last point I’d like to make about grace is how it changes us. Many people who expect to be forgiven by God have not changed their behaviour. They don‘t even want to. When God’s grace came into John Newton’s life, he was a different man. Not that John changed himself, but Jesus changed John right from the inside. John’s desires changed. He no longer desired immorality, nor did he live for himself. Now John desired to be like Jesus!

Do you expect grace or are you amazed that God would give His son for you, that He would forgive you and that He would make you like Jesus? Grace truly is amazing and you can receive God’s grace if you realize you are a lost sinner who deserve Hell, and that Jesus took the punishment of Hell on the cross for you. Put your faith in what Jesus did on the cross to purchase your forgiveness. Don’t assume He’ll forgive you. If the grace of God has come into your life it will be evident in your behaviour as you begin to act like Jesus, think like Jesus and become more and more like Him throughout your life.

Now THAT'S Amazing Grace!

© D&S MacBurnie, 2011

Think you’re too small to make a difference? Think again!

by Marie Wikle

•Put a tiny rock in your shoe and try to walk a mile•Give a simple sucker to a toddler & watch their world light up

•Try ignoring that fly buzzing about your meal•Try to leave that piece of dust under your contact

•Smile widely with a tiny piece of black pepper stuck to your tooth•Watch what the ants will do with your slice of pie

•Remember the grain of sand that became a gorgeous pearl•Think about the one smooth stone that took out a giant

•Notice how one spark can consume an entire forest•One flicker of light pierces the darkest night

•1 person “going” for it, gives courage to the fearful•A reassuring smile brings hope

•Gaze at the GIANT oak that was once a tiny seed•One single tear can soften the hardest heart

•The difference of one second…. That allowed you to miss that accident or plane crash•Try to ignore that nail in your tire

•Try to leave that splinter in your finger

http://www.spreading-joy.org © D&S MacBurnie, 2011

© D&S MacBurnie, 2011

I'm here! Theophilus Ian Vail Born May 25, 2011 Weight - 8lbs 15oz Proud parents to this Little Blessed Bundle are: Cory and Emily Vail Proud big brother: Eli

Keturah MacBurnieAge 14

Performed

Beethoven's

Moonlight SonataClick link to listen

www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=133078353435467

&

A Composition She

ComposedClick link to listen

www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=133089090101060

And again we will be saved…

By Christa Wells

When I told him it’s about self-control, saying “no” to yourself…his lips pursed and his eyes stayed on the floor.

Pleadingly, anger just under the buckling cellar door, I say: “You feel like screaming and hitting me, but it’s not okay to do those things. Do you understand?”

Chin out and trembling, he looks up, shouts: Yes!! But I just keep forgetting! You think it’s easy, but it’s not easy for me!!

This one, this 7-year-old kid, knows how to speak the truth.

Another day, another exasperated moment, I ask: Do you believe you can trust God to help you with this?

He says: I can’t trust anyone.

What about Daddy and me? Do you trust us?

No, because sometimes you say you’re gonna do something and you don’t. Daddy said he would wrestle with us, and then he didn’t.

Yes, it’s true, even we who love you most will let you down. But He will not. Remember what we’ve learned: He is a faithful God, keeping His covenant of Love to a thousand generations…

I know. But I just can’t. I’m just stupid.

No. You are anything but stupid.

I’m stupid. Just say it. I’m stupid.

——————————————————————

And this is when I realize I am sitting across the table from myself. This is the conversation I’ve had with myself a million times.

And what can I give that will provide a sure grip for the falling child to grab onto?

It can’t be only me & my love, because he & I both know I’m not a sure thing–he’s fully aware that I break sometimes. I have wielded words like weapons. I’ve said “yes” to my urge to demand and throw tantrums. He knows it, I know it – so my embracing him, my embracing myself (positive thinking, “loving myself”) – we both know it’s not enough.

It must be something solid and ancient, something deeply reliable.

Something that has real power to save us from ourselves over and over again every day.Continued on next pg. . .

© D&S MacBurnie, 2011

And again we will be saved continued . . .

Something like…

Know therefore that the LORD your God is GOD. He is a faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands…

andHe who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…

Yes, that’s a start, hope…___________________________________________

Across from my child/myself at the table, I’m still exasperated. I do not feel like loving this person who has disrupted my plan for a tranquil day (ahem – hello, Self, nice to confront you.).

But it’s about self-control, saying “no” to myself, yes to something more lovely than myself. Gorgeous, actually – peace & beauty-birthing. And since I’ve just exhorted him to such things, I find myself with accountability…

Can I pray with you?

Shuwah (translated: Sure), he says without conviction, mouth twisted into a “it’s-not-gonna-help-but-go-ahead” posture.

And I pray for us both, for a miracle. Because peace at this point will be a miracle in both of us. And while I pray, my hand is on his cheek, and I glance up to witness a softening…sadness, remorse…release of anger. And when we say Amen, let it be so, we are humans changed.

Ready to give life another go.Most likely, tomorrow, the scene will play again. And again we will be saved.

Click link below to listenhttp://www.reverbnation.com/christawells

http://www.christawellsmusic.com © D&S MacBurnie, 2011

Sum it up Solomon

by Holly Myers

Ok. So. The beloved homeschool conference has come and gone. My house is a mess from being neglected all weekend, my piano is cluttered with shiny new books and I can almost hear my bank account crying from the weight I have just put upon it's shoulders . . . poor little thing. But my heart has been lifted, I have taken a great big sigh and am looking forward to the next year of study. The next two years will be somewhat of a cram session for my oldest. He SHOULD "graduate" in two years, so I'm trying to squeeze every little gem of study topic into his 16 year old schedule. Somewhere between hockey, skateboarding and drumming, I think there might be some free space. I will find it! I am Mom!

Our conference speaker this year was Todd Wilson of Familyman Ministries. He is more like a stand up comedian than a "speaker" and everyone needed the laughter from his gift. His message was one of encouragement. "Relax, you are doing a great job as a homeschool Mom . . . Dad . . . support and encourage her . . . don't neglect your first priority for the sake of academia . . . that being a strong, healthy relationship with your kids." That was basically his message, from my perspective, in a nutshell. I think some people may have been worried that families will interpret this message as "It's ok to slack off . . . lower the bar and have fun." I don't think he meant that at all, and from my experience, MOST homeschool mom's just don't have that

bent. They are generally hyper concerned to meet a very high standard of academia, trying to enable their kids to play 3 instruments each and graduate at 15 years old . . . with a treasure full of scholarship money to Harvard. These moms can stand to relax a little and need to get back to God's plan for our kids' lives. He picked fishermen, not Harvard grads.

It's a touchy subject, for sure. Everyone puts a different level of importance on academic education. For whatever reason, academics has become the salvation of our souls. Even TV commercials tote knowledge as the key to happiness. Be smart, get a good job, make lots of money . . . then you'll be happy. One key, critical ingredient to that recipe is missing. I'm pretty sure the Bible addresses that subject:

1 Corinthians 8:1-2 "Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know."

God spurs us on to knowledge . . . wisdom . . . learning in general everywhere in the Bible. Proverbs is FULL of commands to pursue knowledge, but with a very strong warning . . . as of Paul in 1 Corinthians. All the knowledge in the world is vanity, unless love is applied to that knowledge. Without humility and Godly wisdom in general, we become arrogant. Arrogance is a subject I prefer to avoid in our homeschool. SO . . . the Familyman, I think, is

Continued on the next page . . . © D&S MacBurnie, 2011

Sum it up Solomon continued . . .

trying to show us how to avoid that arrogance . . . develop a great relationship with your kids, so they can know Christ and have great future relationships, and then not waste all the knowledge they have acquired from your absolutely brilliant homeschooling efforts! We cannot afford to neglect the relationship aspect of our kids' education or we have labored in vain.

I tend to be the academic Nazi in our family. My husband is the relationship guy. We seem to have a good balance going on, reminding each other and helping the two important factors along. I always got better marks than he did in university (and studied hard for it), but he, I am quite sure, is much more "intelligent" than I. I am a good memorizer (at least I was . . . until I started middle-aged brain fatigue), performing great on tests and then forgetting the stuff the next week. Guy learns something once, gets it very quickly and NEVER FORGETS IT. Highly annoying. My zeal for accomplishing things and energy to "get-er-done" is very important, I know, but I can easily get off track and not even notice when there is a relationship glitch within our family that needs some attention and balm. I want to be able to set aside "the books", without fear and panic, in order to tend to the critical . . . the

Earrings $5.00

spiritual. Dad's need to make sure that happens.

I remember my own Dad doing that. I was studying for a test one night, frazzled and worried to the point of insanity. My dad went out, bought me a chocolate bar and rented a movie. He handed them to me and said something like this: "Now relax here with me and enjoy the rest of the evening. You've studied enough, you'll do great on the test. Right now, you need to take a break and trust God for the outcome." Obviously, it's not word for word, but that's how I remember it :)

Ecclesiastes 12:12-13 ". . . be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. 13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person . . ."

I LOVE Ecclesiastes. Solomon . . . the wisest of all . . . wraps it up for us. Our relationship with our kids and, in turn, their relationship with Christ, must come before bookwork. Do not neglect the one at the expense of the other.

We are taking summer vacation . . .

without guilt! ! ! ! © D&S MacBurnie, 2011

Reminding you:"There's no joy like Spreading Joy"

and helping you to make a difference by doing what you can,where you are - with what you have!

http://www.spreading-joy.org

facebook.com/spreadingJOYcorp

10 “Wrong” ThoughtsAbout God

by Mike Campagna What do you think about God? I mean, what do you mostly ponder as thoughts concerning Him?

I'd like to suggest that a whole lot of men and women's thinking is not in line with who God really is. Truth be told, in many cases it is far, far from it.

There a number of reasons for that:

- Our parents (especially fathers) are meant to portray Him. They don't always do such a good job. - The media definitely presents God in a warped way. (That's being kind.) - Even His own people (Christ followers) at times misrepresent the Lord through ungodly attitudes and actions. (Ouch.)

That's why it's so important to always look to the Scripture for our understanding. There we find out who God really is. It's a good picture. It'll help you to overcome the following...

10 Wrong Thoughts About God:

1. He doesn't care about me (Romans 5:6-8) 2. He isn't a part of my life (Psalm 139:1-18) 3. He's mad (Luke 15:11-24) 4. He makes bad things happen to me (Romans 8:28) 5. He isn't on my side (Romans 8:31-32) 6. He doesn't want to be my friend (John 15:13-15) 7. He doesn't have good plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11) 8. He doesn't hear my prayers (Jeremiah 29:12) 9. He's hiding Himself (Jeremiah 29:13)10. He doesn't love me (John 3:16)

http://www.aheartforgod.net/ © D&S MacBurnie, 2011

Outflow exists to share Christ's love!

We are a charitable acts of kindness ministry that longs to reach the needs of the poor and oppressed. When we gather we believe it is important to share a meal, to break bread, offering our lives as a genuine friend. We don't want to be anything that we aren't. While we sit with people, we discover a peace, a compassion, and a love that can only be explained by a genuine encounter with Christ.

We love being a gathering place that shares the pulpit. The stage is always open for anyone in the room. Often a message is prepared , but many times it is superseded by God's awesome presence within the room. God moves at the table, from the kitchen, and from within the most unlikely.

As Christ lovers we are discovering that Jesus is within the poor. Some call us a church. Some call us a mission. Some call us a safe place to meet with friends. We want to be all of those things! What we do isn't complicated. . . most do it everyday. We prepare a meal, wait for Jesus to show up, then eat with HIM!

We strongly believe that the #1 thing missing in ministry today is someone willing to build a relationship.

So we sit. We eat. We listen. And we use words when necessary.

Have questions? Wanna know when were meeting next?

Like to talk about our future?

Contact us anytime:

Mail Outflow Ministry 125 Rothesay Avenue PO Box 7073 Saint John, NB E2L 2B0

Contacts

Jayme Hall: 1-888-529-6358

http://outflowministry.ca/

outflowministry@gmail.com

http://mikemesserli.blogspot.com/

Climb Upward by Mike Messerli TheEarly one morning, just as the first rays of light were coming over the horizon, I took a walk to what my friend calls the second meadow. It's a small meadow about a mile and a half from where we are staying. The trail is rough, rocky, uneven, but the quiet and the view is wonderful. I walked for about 40 minutes to get to this second meadow. I had hoped to see an elk, a deer or maybe a bear, but I saw none of them. The morning was great. Crisp, cool, actually a little cold, but wonderful. I had to watch my steps, there are rocks everywhere. The path is not smooth. If you're not careful a turn of the ankle could make this a very difficult walk.

Then I arrived. A beautiful little meadow in the middle of nowhere. It was amazing. It was quiet. I don't think this meadow sees more than a few humans in a year, but I was there. I had reached the meadow. For a moment I paused to enjoy the scene, the cool air, the sounds of

birds and the breeze in the trees. All around were mountains, but here in this spot, in this moment there was a calm. It was worth the walk.

Photo by Mike Messerli (taken while on my climb)

But then.....as I began my walk back I realized something that hadn't seemed too important on the walk here....I had been walking downhill for those 40 minutes! The entire trip back was UPHILL! When I say that let me clarify. This is Colorado. Uphill is always steep. In fact, the climb was steeper than I had imagined. My pauses to catch my breath, to rest my legs grew more and more frequent. Air at 10,000 feet is thinner than what I'm used to. It made the climb seem even more

daunting. Around each corner of the path another stretch of path upward . . . another challenge, but I couldn't stop. I had to get back to my destination. Stopping here, on

the path, only part way back was not an option.

So, onward I walked, more frequent stops, longer stops, more air needed. Yes, I'm out of shape, ok? But onward I walked, and I thought, my Christian life is like this. My walk with God

is just like this walk in the mountains. I read about this theme all through David's words in Psalms, this idea of a journey, a walk through difficult places. Always, as David made these treks he would pray, "Lord, help me through this part of my journey. There's no one to help but you."

In the midst of the upward climb of the Christian life there are rocks to avoid, there is the need for a time of

Continued on next pg . . . © D&S MacBurnie, 2011

The Upward Climb continued . . .

rest, there's the ongoing need to keep going . . . . . because you have to get home, you can't stop here. Around every turn the road seems to climb even more, the rocks are still in the way and I have to watch for them. But, as I finished my walk this morning I thought, there is a day when we will each finish the course laid out for us, we will each finish the race God has us on. It's a walk with a wonderful home ahead, but it's not always easy.

That's the nature of the Christian life, isn't it? The one great thing about this walk is that all along the way God is with me to help me, guide me, encourage me, and at the end of the path is home.

Psa 56:13 For You have delivered my soul from death, Indeed my feet from stumbling, So that I may walk before God In the Light of the Living.

Psa 143:8 Let me hear Your loving kindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.

© D&S MacBurnie, 2011

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Meet aYoung Artist

Painted by Gabriel MyersAge 13

Meet a Young Photographer

Amazing Sunset Captured by:

Megan Wikle

Age 16

Denver, NC

We are always lookingfor ways to encourage

our talentedyoung people!

Please won't you shareyour talents with us!

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up to!Send them on over to:

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I went on vacation recently to the place I grew up. It was my old stomping grounds I visited (with my family) ~ the Bay Area ~ where I played Little League baseball, where I

graduated from high school, where I met and married my wife, Kim, and my son, Michael, was born.

There are just a whole lot of memories that can flood your mind when you go back home. (Isn't it true?)

And there was one other thing I was reminded of by my going back: There's no place like home. I'm talking about my home now (in the foothills/Sonora/Mother Lode area) versus my home in the past. There's no place like this "home" ~ my current one.

And there are some people that can live the better part of their lives and they're often thinking, "If only I could go back." "If only I could go back to..." wherever the place was that they (quote) "knew everybody" or "had all the contacts" or "when money wasn't so tight," etc. The problem with this mentality, is it lends itself to forfeiting the good potential of the place we're in if we're always looking in the rear view mirror. (You can get in a crash, too!) twitter.com@blogboy2 © D&S MacBurnie, 2011

There's

No Place

Like

Home by Mike Campagna

Not a LATTE.. and not a MOCHA GRANDEby Jeff Larson

http://thebackpew.com

I do admit I visit the local coffee shops now and then for a Latte. I don’tbelieve if my dad were still alive would approve of this.

First of all, paying $3.75 for a large latte (steamed milk and espresso)would be simply WRONG WRONG WRONG!!

Then to stand in line to order a coffee with a flavor.. is also WRONG.

According to my dad, coffee drinker wanna-be's may add sugar to their coffeebut true coffee drinkers either drink it black or with the dairy companion

of the day.. half&half.

Also my dad would not purchase something called a scone. If you wantsomething sweet you buy a package of pastries from the IGA grocery with a shelf life

of 4 years. AND.. the only coffee drink resembling 'A Mocha' in my parents homewas if my dad accidentally poured his Folgers coffee into a 'child's' cup of cocoa.

Coffee was a major element in fellowship for my family and church as I wasgrowing up. Pastor Wayne Larson and his wife Ruth led my home church in

Cable Wisconsin for about 7 years, and they had the ‘gift of coffee’. Theywould call up my folks and say them to “put a pot of coffee on.. cuz we are

coming over.” While coffee does fall just short of being included in theHoly Sacraments, but coffee is synonymous with fellowship.

Now fast forward 35 years and you don’t have to drink your coffee black orwith cream and/or sugar.. you can get you Latte Grande skinny ( half

expresso, and half steamed skim milk).. You can order a Turtle SundaeMocha.. maybe a White Chocolate Raspberry Cooler.. the possibilities are endless..

BUT ..though I like my Latte I want to return to the time honored traditionof CHURCH COFFEE… and a few toons to capture the significance of this

beverage of choice for today’s church. Never to be confused with the HolySacraments… but still I observe church coffee is revered. Brewed in a

traditional aluminum drum with love and care.. symbolic of friendship butoften tastes often like something less.

Now that I think about it.. let me share my COFFEE CONSPIRACY THEORY.I wonder if coffee was introduced to churches as a way to keep the

congregation awake during a dry sermon in a stuffy church. But according toNewton's Law .. To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction...

and with coffee came the Coffee Conflicted Christian.

Continued on next pg . . .

Not a Latte . .continued . . .

With regards to this traditional aluminum drum brewing 'machine', cleaningthis drum is of paramount importance. Coffee drum cleaning like changing

the oil in your car is too often neglected resulting in a brew that onlythe hearty church goer can appreciate/tolerate. THEN those times when thecoffee has a taste like hot dishwater it may be because when the drum was

finally cleaned… THE DISH RAG WAS LEFT IN THE DRUM!!.. There, now try andkeep that thought out of your mind the next time you pour yourself a cup of

hot caffeinated fellowship in your church foyer.

In conclusion, I must admit that many churches today offer good coffee, butif my dad were still alive.. he would prefer his cup to come from the

traditional aluminum drum. Then again.. he is in Heaven.. and I believethey do COFFEE RIGHT (folgers with half & half thank you very much)

Let me leave you with a few moments from the Bible whereI believe a little hot coffee was in order.

1. I would like 7 Triple Espressos, 2 Lattes, a White Chocolate Mocha, and 2 small de-cafs to go please (12 spies)

2. Before we leave, let’s stop over at what’s her name's.. for a quick cup of joe. (Rahab)

3. Sometimes it took more than a strong cup of coffee to GET UP IN THE MORNING. (Lazarus)

4. After a good well prepared meal . . a nice cup of black coffee with a slice of Devils Food Cake would be lovely. (Coffee in Heaven)

5. Coffee with a snack that is both SWEET & CRUNCHY (John the Baptist)6. Coffee with your ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET.

(Pharisees)7. Or even a cup of coffee with your fancy-schmancy

meal. (the Leviticus Menu)

and.. to round out today’s coffee toonage let me share a coffee paraphraseof the Revelation 3:16 passage where the Lord is speaking about a church

being lukewarm. Neither hot or cold.. and how distasteful LUKEWARM COFFEE is.

Have a great day.. full of God’s caffeinated blessings.Smile lots.. and enjoy life .. and always..

BREW UNTO OTHERS as you would have them BREW UNTO YOU!.

Pure EleganceBy Holly Myers

© D&S MacBurnie, 2011

??

Homemade Sour Creamby Emily Vail

Technically this is a sort of "creme fraiche" as opposed to real sour cream, but it tastes great, couldn't be easier to make, and is a much healthier alternative to store bought sour cream. If you read the label on store bought sour cream you'll see that it says in the small print "Artificially soured." That means it's not really sour cream, just cream with some additives to give it that sour taste and a lot of thickeners to make it creamy. Once you start buying the low fat versions it gets even worse. Without the natural fat of the cream to make it thick you're looking at a lot of chemicals. No thanks!

One final bonus? You can use a glass jar to make it at home and avoid the plastic container that could potentially be leaking BPA into the food.

Method:Use a ratio of 1 cup of cream to 1 tablespoon of cultured buttermilk.*You can pick which cream to use, I always use whipping cream (35%) because the higher fat makes a thicker and better tasting sour cream, but you can also use coffee cream (18%) or even cereal cream (10%), your sour cream just won't be as thick.

Grab a clean glass jar, pour in your cream and buttermilk, stir gently to combine, put the lid on and let it sit totally undisturbed at room temperature for about 24 hours. You know it's done when you pick up the jar and the cream is almost solid looking in the jar. That is, you can tip the jar and it doesn't slosh. Stick it in the fridge for another 24 hours to firm up a bit more and finish culturing, then enjoy!

It doesn't keep quite as long as the store bought stuff, but you can make a smaller quantity if you know you aren't going to need much.

We love our sour cream on top of soup or Mexican food, or made into a dip for veggies. It works in recipes the same as store bought sour cream.

© D&S MacBurnie, 2011

What's

on

Your

Mind?

Good Stuff!!!By Caleb MacBurnie

Age 13

When the hockey game was on, I was going on FB and found that, when it's on we get so into it we forget about God, I have people on here that put christian stuff on like all the time, but when the game was on, all I seen, was stuff about the game, even I put christian stuff on, and that's when I noticed it, I had nothing about God on my FB..... So I think we should start putting Christianity into the games, even if we don't watch the games, we should still put God first. :)

© D&S MacBurnie, 2011

Y

Motherhood Makes Me Cry

by Rina Peru

es, it does, believe it or not, even before I

became a mother. I dreamed about her – a girl of about 4 or 5 years old with long hair. When I awoke, I cried and cried while trying to utter some kind of a prayer, begging God to make my personal life right: give me the right man to marry so I could have that little girl, before my time ran out. I was then in my early thirties and wasn’t in a serious relationship.

Four years later, I held her in my arms for the first time, my two-day-old daughter, and when she opened her eyes, it was a moment I would never forget.

When she got sick at two-years-old, my legs became jelly as I walked the distance from the emergency room to the admitting section, crying to my sister who was with me, “What is wrong with my baby?”

As a mother, I cry for many reasons and different situations. I cry when my daughter brings me flowers when I am ill, and whispers to my ear, “Are you okay, Mom?” I cry and shed scalding tears

as I repent for being too stern with her when she couldn’t get to understand a lesson after I’ve painstakingly explained many times. I weep as I regret the words that might have hurt her feelings.

I cry in prayer as I acknowledge my failings, shortcomings, mistakes, and blunders as a mother. I cry as I beg God to heal me and prolong my life so I could nurture my children and see them grow up. I cry to God to help me, teach me, change me, make me always gentle and kind, and give me wisdom (and my husband, too) to rear our children in a way that’s pleasing in His sight.

When I received my daughter’s “Thank You” card on her graduation from lower school, I cried. She wanted to say “thank you” to her Dad and me for the love and care and for sending her to a good school. I cried and embraced her and told her that I’m proud of her and happy for her. She received a silver medal and she thought we are not satisfied with that. I admit I am guilty of setting high expectations for my daughter, but I’ve been

praying fervently about it, and God has been working on me in this regard.

I cry in gratitude to the Lord for His wonderful gifts – my two children. I sometimes wonder how I ever got to deserve to be gifted with such jewels, knowing my mistakes in life. I’m thankful that my daughter is growing into a “little woman” with sensitivity, sweet love for us, and grateful heart.

I don’t read self-help books on motherhood. As in other aspects of my life such as my marriage and writing, I rely solely on the leading of the Holy Spirit and on God’s Word. On my own, I wouldn’t know how to go about all these roles – Christ’s follower, wife, mother, writer – all at the same time. But I commune with God and listen to His voice. I ask for His wisdom. Indeed, He is the source of my wisdom, inspiration, peace and joy.

I pray for everything and do my best to give thanks in everything. I cannot and do not rely on my own strength. I seek God’s help. It’s much easier when we do. http://rinaperu.com © D&SMacBurnie, 2011

W

ith Father's Day this week, I wanted to pop out a quick list just to celebrate fathers in general, in relation to their kids.

It's twelve questions kids ask their dads, off the top of my head (and from my own experience and thinking). Have you asked these questions of your dad in the past or heard them asked of you, as a dad yourself?

(Do you have any other questions of kids to their fathers that I could include? Tweet/message me your thoughts at @blogboy2 )

1. But why?2. Do I look pretty?

3. Can you take me to the park?

4. What happens when we die?5. When will you get home?

6. Can we buy ice cream?

7. What do you think of my girlfriend/boyfriend?

8. Are you mad at me?

9. can you fix my (bike) tire?

10. Will you walk me down the aisle?11. Can you hold my hand ( I'm scared)?

12. How long until we get there?

© D&S MacBurnie, 2011

12

Questions

Kids

Ask

Their

Dads

* * *

HappyFather's

Day!

by Mike Campagna

The Lost PurseBy Paul P.K. Cheng

Christine had been attending a church school. Her first grade teacher, Mrs. Jay told Christine's mother, Brianna of what to expect from her class, “If my students don’t know how to read now, by the time I am done with them, they will love to read.” Mrs. Jay had also been planting the seed of Christ love into the heart of her students. So all Christine knew was that Jesus is always watching over her.

But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the

kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14)

One Saturday, Joseph drove his family to a mall for Christmas shopping. Although Christine was only five years of age, she seemed mature enough that Brianna would entrust Christine with a cell phone placed in her little purse. So in case Christine somehow wandered away in the crowd and got lost, she could call daddy’s cell phone.

For now, Joseph programmed Christine’s cell phone so she only needed to turn on the cell and push only two buttons to call his cell. She was not at an age to know how to go through various menus and options in case of a real emergency. Once in awhile he would have Christine to try calling his cell just for practice. Since Christine was a beginning reader, Joseph had taught Christine to spell out the name of a store she was standing in front of. This way he would know where she was exactly. They had even run through a couple of drills just to make sure she knew what to do on her own. Trusting Christine with a cell phone was a good idea for safety reasons, but Christine needed a little more growing up in order to become more responsible with her belongings.

On that day when the family came home from the mall, Brianna noticed that Christine’s purse was not with her. Brianna would always take back the cell phone from her purse until next time when they go to a mall again.

“Christine where’s your purse?” asked Brianna, looking where Christine may have put it.

“Umm, I don’t know,” said Christine.

“Did you leave it in the car?” asked Brianna.

From the look on Christine’s face, mom decided that she better go back into the car to look for it herself. After coming back in from the garage Brianna looked concerned.

“It’s not in the car. So where is it Christine?” asked Brianna. “Did you remember having the purse with you when you got into the car or not?”

“Now I remember. I think I left my purse on the bench at the play land area,” as Christine was trying to recall with a worried look on her face. “When we left, I think I forgot about my purse.”

“You think some other kids might have just picked it up and walked off with it?” Brianna asked Joseph.

“It’s possible,” said Joseph. “I have an idea. Why not call Christine’s cell to see if anyone might have picked it up. If someone answers then we know someone has Christine’s cell phone. Then we can ask that person to return it.”

So Joseph used his cell phone and called but no one picked up. “Well, I guess it all depends on whether someone turned on her cell phone,” said Joseph.

“Christine, I told you that if you wanted to carry a purse, you should be responsible with your belongings. How am I going to trust you again the next time?” asked Brianna.

Then Brianna suggested to Joseph, “The most likely place to check would have to be at the lost

Continued on next page . . .

The Lost Purse continued . . .

and found. Even though I don’t think there is a chance anyone would just turn it in, I would like to at least try just so that I can feel better. You know what I mean?”

As Joseph was ready to tuck Christine into bed that night, they prayed together. Christine asked Jesus that they’ll be able to find her lost purse the next day.

And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.

(Matthew 21:22)

But Joseph remained skeptical. Joseph kept it to himself that in this day and age there was not a chance for her purse to ever be found and that it would be a wasted effort. But Brianna insisted and so what else could he do but to drive his family all the way back to the mall again.

On the next day, Sunday, they went back to the mall. This was a huge two story mall with so many people. Both Joseph and Brianna knew well that their odds of recovering anything these days from the lost and found were very slim. However, it was a chance Brianna wanted to take just to make her feel better. Brianna didn’t care so much about the purse as it was more about the cell phone.

They went first to the mall’s information booth and a lady directed them to the second floor of the mall where the Security Department was. It was also a place for lost and found. They went through a double door that opened up to a long, narrow corridor. This was a place you would pass by in the mall and wouldn’t even notice. Down the middle of the corridor, they made a left as directed by the sign that said, “Security Department.” They walked into a room filled with monitors where you could observe activities at various parts of the mall. A security guard was busy filling out papers. “Excuse me sir, is this the lost and found?” asked Brianna.

“Yeah, what did you lose?” asked the guard.

“Well my daughter lost a purse yesterday with a cell phone in it. We just want to see if anyone has turned it in,” said Brianna. Then Brianna tried to describe to the guard what the purse looked like. This was the moment they have been waiting for.

The guard stood up and walked over to a box that had some lost items and pulled out a purse. “Is this your purse?” asked the guard.

Brianna and Christine were surprised when they recognized Christine’s purse that the guard was holding up. “Yeah, that’s her purse,” said Brianna with relief while Joseph was amazed.

The guard handed the purse to Christine. “Here you go,” said the guard. “Believe me you guys are very lucky. I don’t see a lot of lost items being turn in to us.”

When they went back out to the mall, Brianna reemphasized to Christine about being more responsible when carrying her purse. “You lucked out this time,” Brianna told Christine. “You came very close to losing your cell phone.”

On that night, Joseph prayed with Christine. She thanked Jesus for watching over her and for answering her prayer. Joseph realized that perhaps it was Christine’s childlike faith that really made the difference. Joseph reminded Christine to be more careful carrying her purse the next time. In the back of Joseph’s mind, he believed that if there's ever a next time, her purse would be lost for sure.

Three weeks later, they went back to the same mall for more Christmas shopping. Christine was once again entrusted with carrying the cell phone in her purse. After eating at the food court for lunch both Brianna and Christine had gone to the bathroom before they went about shopping. Close to the end of the day before dinner, Brianna noticed that Christine was no longer carrying her purse. “Christine, where is your purse?” asked Brianna.

Continued on next page . . .

The Lost Purse continued . . .

Christine had a blank look trying to remember where her purse was. Then she remembered, “Oh no, I left it hanging on the bathroom door and I forgot to get it when I came out.” Christine’s expression was a bit panicky knowing that she once again failed to be responsible.

Both Brianna and Christine immediately rushed back to the bathroom over in the food court area. Brianna came back out saying. “It’s not there anymore!”

“Oh well, I guess it’s gone for sure this time,” said Joseph.

“What on earth was I thinking anyway? After the first time, I should have known not to trust her again.” Brianna was expressing her frustration.

After a moment, “Well, I guess we can of course try the lost and found again like last time,” said Brianna. “But I don’t think there is a chance anyone would just simply turn it in this time. You know we were very lucky the last time like the security guard said.”

This time, Joseph waited outside with his six months old son, Zachary who was asleep in a stroller while both Brianna and Christine went through the same double door again. Joseph was expecting that this time they would come out

empty handed. When they both came back out a few minutes later, both Brianna and Christine were smiling with Christine holding up her purse for Joseph to see. Joseph was astonished.

“I must say she is one lucky girl,” said Brianna. “Both times she lost her purse someone was nice enough to turn it in to the lost and found!” But Joseph was now convinced that it had to be more than just mere luck. God must be watching over Christine.

It would be easier for a child to believe in miracles than for an adult. Seeing the joy of his little girl made Joseph realize how wonderful it would be to find the child in himself once again. It was the simplicity he saw in Christine that drew her closer to God. Joseph realized that while believing he was self sufficient and independent, his heart drifted further away from God over the years. Christine’s childlike faith was simple enough to touch God and the results of her prayers became evident.

"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no

means enter the kingdom of heaven…”(Matthew 18:3)

* * *

The Lost Purse is based on a real story.http://certaintyofgodslove.blogspot.com © D&S MacBurnie, 2011

http://certaintyofdrawings.blogspot.com/ © D&S MacBurnie, 2011

A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't

produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, the way to identify a

tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. (Matthew 7:17-18/NLT).

* * *Another way to look at this picture is that the left side represents

unforgiven sins while the right side represents forgiven sins through our Lord Jesus Christ. The hands are lifted to represent the

freedom of choice in who we want to worship. by Paul Cheng

Photo'sby

Shane CorbettNB, Canada

Frog on the door!

“Babe”a

14hh Pony/Horse

We call herour

“Porsche”

Eli (the big guy) with his little buddy Chloe!

Grace Valley Church

W a t e r S k iC a m p 2 0 1 1

July 24 – 30July 31 - Aug 6

L i v i n g W a t e rfor Students

entering Grades 7-12

We have full facilities with dining areaand cabins for each age group.

We provide awesome meals!(you may get some junk food)

We provide all the ski equipment andpersonal floatation devices required for the water.

If you have a favourite wakeboard or pair of water skis – bring them along!

Great Friends!

JOIN IN THE FUN!Enjoy an action filled week on the

beautiful Salmon River, just outside Chipman, N.B., Canada

Receive ski instruction for all ski levels, from beginner to advanced.

Make new friends while swimming, canoeing, boating --

or just relaxing around the campfire.

If you like to eat....... You will not be disappointed!!

Ski Camp offers hearty meals for all campers. As well as enjoying all of these camp activities,

there will be an opportunity for you to grow spiritually orbe introduced to the Christian faith.

Why not be part of something this summerthat will make a difference for the rest of your life.

Games, fun, sun, water, new friends, sports activities, superb meals, quiet timeand the life changing truth of God's Word!

For more information or to register, contact: CAMP DIRECTOR

Jim Brewster jbbrewster@rogers.com

506-849-1492 -- or --

ASSISTANT CAMP DIRECTOR Chris Arbour

arbour@nbnet.nb.ca 506-849-3790

The ABC'S of SalvationThe dictionary defines salvation as:

1. deliverance 2. pardon 3. snatching from the jawsGod's gift to us is everlasting life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

All we have to do is have faith and follow these 3 easy stepsAdmit - Believe - Confess

Ephesians 2:8, 9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-

not by works, so that no one can boast.

1. Admit That You Are A Sinner.Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.

Results Of Sin And Gods Gift to Us.Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What Did Jesus Do For Us?Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2. Believe In The Lord Jesus.John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life,

for God's wrath remains on him.Romans 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,

and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

3. Confess The Lord Jesus.Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”

and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,you will be saved.

Romans 10:13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.Next Say This Prayer Believing With All Your Heart

“Lord Jesus,I know that I am a sinner.

Lord the sinful life that I lived separated me from you. Lord forgive me of my sins.

I believe that you died on the cross and rose on the third day to pay for my sins. From this day forward

I will put all my trust in you, Lord show me how to live a life for you.In Jesus name, Amen”