Singing His Praise!

Does Jesus Care

In the last few months, I have had two people come to me and specifically state, “I don’t know if you have heard the gossip about me, but I just want to tell you myself what is true and what is not true.

This has caused me to ache deep in my heart for them and caused me to have mixed emotions.

One of honor that that person cared that I know their business and the truth about them.

Second, the great realization that what God thinks is far more important than what I think of them.

My first reaction is to hold up my hands to stop them and tell them that they  do not need to feel that they owe me an explanation and that it really is not my business.

In both cases those dear ones went on to explain to me there heart aches and concerns,

In the coarse of the conversation I tried very hard to help them understand that it was important for them to be sure that they talked with the Lord (both told me they were Christians)  and make sure that He knew there heart and to seek His leading and will about the whole situation so that He would be glorified.

Are you having a conflict with someone who has maligned you and your heart is aching.
“Tell Jesus, Tell Jesus, He will listen He will heed”. “Does Jesus Care?”

Yes, Jesus does care.

Isaiah 40:11
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart… “

Go to Him in prayer and lay your burden at His feet and tell Him your great desire to do right and honor Him with your life and then if necessary set things right  with the Lord (I John 1:9), then  between yourself and those who seem to be offended.  If they will not accept your attempts to make things right, give it all to the Lord and let it go.  Do what you can to make your own situation honorable before the Lord and then go on with HIM doing all in your power to dispel any false accusations and make sure there is no reason for the perceived situation.

God is faithful and He loves you… TRUST HIM today.

“Does Jesus Care”
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/d/o/doesjeca.htm

MOTHER’S DAY JOYS  (started this on Thursday, May 7, 2009)

Today I finally ventured out to take a walk very casually since my toe nail removal and then two weeks later I walked into a chair and got a hairline fracture of one the small bones above my fourth toe.

I keep telling myself that I am going to start walking.  Not a hard fast walk, just a chance to get out and enjoy the beautiful our-of-doors.

Several  trees are in bloom now, There are forsythia blossoms on both sides of the entry to our little village and a few flowers are popping there heads out.  It was  a blessing to be able to breath in the fresh air.

There is a nice little playground over by the Riverside apartments, and I decided to take the sidewalk to that and walked out on the basketball court over to the edge of the woods.  The birds were singing joyfully and I could see the water standing in the woods (probably the source of  mosquitos who torture us when we try to sit out in the swing in the evening).

I returned home after about forty-five minutes and sat down to do some bookwork and our grand-daughter, Hillary, called and asked if she and sister Lois could bring some dresses to alter for a wedding for which they will be bridesmaids on the 16th of May.

They said they would pay me, but having them come with Hillary’s two little boys, Riley and Wyatt,  Lois and her friend Ben was pay enough for me.  As a matter of fact I should pay them for the enjoyment that I would receive.

Just before they arrived I received a call on our alert phone and one of the residents needed an ambulance, so a hurriedly contacted “911” and gave them directions, then hurriedly grabbed my let-in key and went to direct the squad to the correct apartment.   By the time I was finished and was on the way back to our apartment, Hillary drove into the parking lot.

After fitting the girls and marking the hem it was about time for lunch so I quickly made up some chicken salad and we had lunch together.

Our apartment is pretty small so I had offered Lois my old cedar chest, which her father is going to refinish for her. I had it standing on end in the corner in our bedroom.
I was happy when Ben took opportunity to flex his muscles as he picked it up and once he was outside raised it over his head and took it out to the van.

After they left I checked my email and followed a link to our son, Ken’s, site
http:/wwwkenpierpont,com  and read a beautiful mother’s day greeting which he wrote to me in 2005 and posted again today.

Then this evening our son Nathan contacted me through chats for a video chat and I was able to see and chat with all of them. They also came for a visit Thursday and we had a sweet visit.

Today we also heard from each of the other children by email.

My children and grandies are bringing me more JOY than I could have ever imagined and as I have said many times when the children ask what I want or need for a special day I truthfully had to say and will repeat again at this Mother’s day season.  “My greatest JOY is for them to serve God and be in the very center of His will every day”.

They always interpreted that as “Be Good”.

I pray for all of them every day and though I would love to have them all closer geographically, I am thankful that they are close to God and faithful to HIM.  This is my JOY.

Some might interpret being in the center of HIS will, as being a preacher or a missionary or in full-time Christian ministry, but I mean being close to God everyday… There is no such thing as a “part time child of God”. It must be all or nothing.

Lord, Make me an Instrument  of love, peace, and joy and an example to all my children and grandchildren.

On Mother’s day I sang “To Be Like Jesus”, praying that I could encourage mother’s to live in such a way that their children would see Jesus in their daily lives and then the children too would have a desire to honor HIM in their own lives.

Genesis 1:27
So God created man in HIS own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

TO BE LIKE JESUS
Dick and Melody Tuney

A LITTLE GIRL IS BEGGING FOR AFFECTION
A LITTLE BOY NEEDS A HAND TO HOLD
AND OH, HOW HE LOVES THOSE LITTLE CHILDREN;
HOW HE LONGS TO BE A FRIEND
TO YOUNG AND OLD.

HIS TENDER SPIRIT WELCOMES ALL WHO SEEK HIM;
HIS GIVING HEART ASKS NOTHING IN RETURN.
AND I HAVE FOUND HIS PROMISES FAITHFUL;
I SEEK TO LIVE MY LIFE THAT I MAY LEARN

TO BE LIKE  JESUS,
TO BE LIKE JESUS,
TO BE THE ONE I WAS CREATED TO BE
TO BE LIKE JESUS, TO BE LIKE JESUS,
MAY ALL WHO SEE MY HEART
FIND HIM IN ME.

WHEN I RECEIVED HIS SALVATION;
HIS HEAV’NLY LOVE FILLED MY EARTHLY SOUL,
AND I BECAME A NEW CREATION
MY BROKENNESS HE MADE COMPLETELY WHOLE

AND THRO’ THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD
I’VE BEEN COMMISSIONED.
TO BE A LIGHT THAT SHINES 
FOR HIM ALONE
SURROUND BY HIS INFINITE MERCY,
MAY MY LIFE ALWAYS BE KNOWN.

TO BE LIKE  JESUS,    TO BE LIKE JESUS,
TO BE THE ONE
I WAS CREATED TO BE
TO BE LIKE JESUS,
TO BE LIKE JESUS,
MY ONLY EARTHLY GOAL FULFILL
WHEN I’M CENTERED IN HIS WILL
MAY ALL WHO SEE MY LIFE
FIND HIM IN ME

IN ME

Oh,  yes, they all called me on Mother’s day too.

Every one at church greeted one another with a “happy Mother’s Day” . and I said…..” Oh I certainly am, it is a wonderful Mother’s day.”

I wish I could have made a Trophy for everyone…

The Snowman Trophy went to the Pierpont Family at Higgins Lake.. for their huge tunnel.   Great Job!

The Angel Trophy went to Luke Pierpont for his Giant Marshmallow.

The Bunny Trophy went to Deborah Johnson in WA

If you scroll down you can see the entries.

I do understand that there was another entry which I never received which was posted on the Butters FaceBook  which I will show as soon as I get it.It is a snow Easter Basket made by Kassedy and Aubrie Evans for Riley and Wyatt.

Thank you to all who participated.  That was great fun for me.

Deborah Johnson  (adult entry)

Josiah Pierpont    (Primary entry)

Zachary Pierpont  (Primary entry)

KAREN WILSON'S CALIFORNIA SCULPTURE

(Adult entry)

As you can see Karen has an amazing imagination with no snow in California… she still did her best….to quote Karen

(Someone thought I’d made a cake!  No! It’s dirt, flour sprinkled on top, a carrot, rocks, and leaves. ;)  Well, plus a few other things I had in the house…the cap and scarf from Mama’s snowman she made me.)

Thank you Karen…. I love it…

Check out Karen’s web site.  http://www.geocities.com/gardenofvictory/

Karen has some of my articles posted.http://www.geocities.com/gardenofvictory/grdnbeyondsnset.htm

**************

MORE SCULPTURE…. WOW… LOTS OF WORK FROM THE PIERPONT CREW UP NORTH AT HIGGINS LAKE

FOLLOW THIS LINK

http://carolynpierpont.com/2009/01/snow-tunnel/

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR ANOTHER SNOW SCULTURE BY LUKE PIERPONT

http://luke.wpatch.com/giant-marshmallow/

CONTEST NOV.  2008 - SPRINGS LAST SNOW 2009

THE CONTEST IS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS… JUST FOR FUN… THIS IS ONE OF THE TROPHIES…A LITTLE CROCHETED SNOW ANGEL…PLEASE SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO MY EMAIL..

The contest will continue until the last snow in the spring 2009                         



Miniature Hat Thimble & Needle Holder

One day while working with a ladies quilting group, one of the ladies had one of these darling little hats.

She kindly let met borrow it a few minutes so that I could write a few notes down and when I got home I made it up right away while it was fresh in my mind.

I have never been able to find a pattern for this so I made it up so others could have a pattern.

The crown holds your favorite thimble and the piece of felt between the two brims holds needles.

I also us felt in the shape of gloves sometimes for the needles and only make the hat to sit on top the gloves.

I never make two alike but change the stitch I use on the brim or even on the thimble (crown). I also use different decor.

I love to make this up in birthstone colors for ladies in the church for their birthdays.

Use your imagination and have fun.  A lovely memorable gifts that are very quick to make and very little expense.

by Jane A Pierpont

Size: 3 1/2” wide at brim x 1 1/8″ tall
Material:

• Crochet cotton size 10: small amount

• colors of your choice… (Sewing thread several strands will also work and I have use heavier yarns changing the pattern accordingly.)     Size 9 steel crochet hook or size needed. To obtain gauge ( I change the needle if I see that the thimble will be to tight or loose.}

• Sewing needle and thread

• Felt for needle holder  (round circle the same size as finished hat or shape of glove pattern)

• thimble (leave empty and inform recipient know so favorite thimble can be inserted in the crown or it can be stuffed with a cotton ball and used as a pin cushion.

Pattern Note
Join rounds with a sl st unless otherwise stated.

HAT CROWN (To hold thimble)
Rnd 1:  ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch
from hook, join in beg sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, join
in beg sc. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, [sc in next sc, 2 sc in next
sc] rep around (18 sc).
Rnds 4–9: Ch 1, sc in each sc around (18 sc).

Brim
Rnd One: Ch 2 (as dc ) dc in same stitch as chain. 2 dc in front loop of each sc around, Join with a ss in the top of ch 3.

Rnd Two: Ch 2 (as dc) dc in same sc as ch, Dc in top of next dc, 2 dc in next dc around, join with ss.

Rnd Three: Ch 2 (as dc) dc in same sc as ch, (dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc) around, join with ss.

Rnd Four: [This row could be a contrast color.] (Ch 3, dc in first stitch of ch. skip next dc, Ss in next dc) repeat around finish off.

Bottom brim: Ch 5, 12 dc in first ch, repeat rows 2-4 approximately . for bottom of hat.(you may need to adjust for type thread used.

Place the hat, felt circle (same color or contrast) and bottom together and tack on one side of brim.

Sew a little ribbon flower, crocheted flower or ribbon on the hat at the bottom of the crown  and attach the round felt to bottom at one edge of the brim.

You may use two layers of felt. I prefer a crocheted bottom and one layer.

PASTOR DON & JAN HARKEY

PRAISE THE LORD FOR FAITHFUL TEACHERS
(A Tribute to Mrs Jan Harkey)

Sunday morning it was raining and we came into the back entrance of the Cambria Baptist Church, of Cambria MI.(this is the church we joined when Ken retired) which takes us through the secretary’s office and then through the small chapel where the children’s church meets each Sunday.

I can not express the joy and praise that filled my heart as we came into the chapel door and I saw, Jan Harkey, the pastor’s wife, working hard writing an outline on the white board, and very obviously well prepared for the task of ministering to the Childrens’ Church (over 35  we found out later). She has many faithful helpers, too.

This lady of God, is a precious example of unselfish faithfulness to the ministry that she has been called. She has the dedication to study and prepare visual aids, and everything else that goes into a ministry like this. I don’t know how many years she has been at it, but certainly a long time. A few weeks ago the youth pastor, Jeremy Harrington, who grew up in the church and attended those children’s church sessions, mentioned how much he learned from “Marm Harkey” in Children’s Church.

What a joy it is to me as one who has taught for many years myself and used some of the same materials as Jan Harkey is using, [CEF, Footsteps of Faith, The Life of Christ, Betty Lukens.] I divided mine up with my daughters and grand-daughters a few years ago when I wasn’t able to use them any longer and I didn’t want them to go to waste.  I am aware of the dedication and preparation that is required to be able to present these materials faithfully year after year.

I am so thankful for those faithful teachers every Sunday who truly dedicate themselves to teaching the Word and putting the time and preparation that is necessary to truly present the Gospel, bathe those students in prayer and live a fine Christian life before them.

Also, the follow-up that goes into that type of ministry is important too.  A little note here and there, and all the prayers for those students God has entrusted to you.

A few weeks ago our son Ken preached a message:

07/27/2008 11:00 AM    The Eternal Weight of Glory    Ken Pierpont     Series: Beating Burnout
2 Corinthians 4:16-18, with a challenge to Christian to step up and be faithful.

I encourage you to go to this sight and listen to this message if you are a teacher or someone who should be.

http://www.evangelbaptist.com/podcast.aspx

As a young person, I also had some wonderful teachers, my pastor’s wife Mary Robbins,  I learn so very much from her about Christian living, and Shirley Summers who took our class to her home once a month for the quarter, to build a replica of the tabernacle and all it’s appointments. We even make the curtains by weaving the colors into fabric and carved the furnishings, etc. from balsa wood. The time she invested was a tremendous help to me, as a young Jr. High student, to understand the Scriptures.

Please consider now,…  is God calling you to the ministry of teaching?

Even though we are retired from the Pastorate per-say we are by no means retired from full time Christian service as God gives us the strength.  The desire is still there and God helping us, that is what we want to do.

II Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of God.”

Isaiah 28:9-10 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)

9.  Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

10.  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

JUST AN UPDATE:

The second week there was one lady and the third week, two ladies…. God is working. ( a few others stopped by and listened in and left).

This week the same two ladies attended and shared requests for prayer.

I am encouraged and praise the Lord for the blessings in the class.

Jer.33:3 “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Verse I memorized this week.

I Cor. 7:23,24 “Ye are bought with a price, be not ye the servants of men.  Brethern, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.”

"GOD USES THE PREPARED PERSON...

Well, I prayed for ladies to come, I sent out fliers with the monthly news bulletin for the community, one of the ladies took one to the person who puts announcements on the local radio station,  I ordered lesson books, prepared the lesson, and a few ladies signed up and a few others said they would come.

I prayed a lot about it and enlisted others to pray for the Lord’s blessing.

I went over to the community room, set up the stereo with nice music playing, took several extra Bibles so that if anyone needed a Bible. and had little pieces of paper set for deciding on a name for our class.

I called those who signed up to remind them this morning and the first call was a young woman who was very excited about coming but her sister answered the call and she shared that the young woman had an emergency in her family, the second lady had an appointment to have a test, one that planned on coming had an unexpected person come in at the last minute, and on it goes.

Yes, I was there by myself.  NOT!  The LORD and I were there.  I turned on the music and listened to Carrie Thompson’s  “Strings of Praise” accompanied by Jeff Acker and our son, Nathan Pierpont.

I decided if none came that I would stay there the whole time and read the Word and pray for the Lord’s anointing for when the Lord does choose to send someone in.

The key Scripture for the study  I am using (”Becoming A Woman of Prayer” by Cynthia Heald,) is “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3.

The book is one that was my mother’s and she had it about 2/3 filled out. It seems she may have been studying through it when the Lord took her home “to show her unsearchable things.”

Though, humanly speaking I  am very disappointed that no one came to the first Bible study, I am also overjoyed that I can still call upon my Lord and wait and see what HE has in store for me.

I am waiting on the edge of my seat, so to speak, to see what HE is going to do here in our little community.

Perhaps you will join me in prayer for God’s blessing as I  desire to share the love of God with others.

“Wait on the Lord” Ron Hamilton 1950 Copyright 1988, Majesty Music,  Inc.

Ask and it shall be given unto you;

Seek and ye shall find.

Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Opened in God’s time.

Ye have not because ye ask not;

So ask and seek and find.

For the Lord gives good thing in His time

Wait on the Lord, wait on the Lord,

I say wait on the Lord Thy God

Wait on the Lord, Wait on the Lord

Wait, Wait, Wait upon the Lord.

Saturday we had the precious privilege of going to Fort Wayne, IN. to celebrate the life and home going of my Aunt Wilma.

At the memorial service her Pastor told about a piece of notebook paper that Aunt Wilma had shared with him.  It was a list of Scripture verses that my grandmother ( a single mom from the time my daddy was nine) made up for him and his little sister, Wilma, to memorize while doing the dishes.

PRAISE THE LORD FOR THE HERITAGE WE HAVE.

My paternal grandmother was a precious Christian woman named, Grace, who loved the Lord and raised her two children faithfully for her Savior.  She worked at The Clark Equipment Company in Buchanan, MI. until her retirement.

When I was a teenager grandma bought a twelve base accordion and seeing my love for music and musical instruments she selflessly loaned it to me to use as long as I needed it. When I got married I returned it to her and she used it at Sunday school class parties and picnics.

Aunt Wilma was my mentor and faithful Christian example from the time I was a young girl, though we were never close geographically. I always looked forward to seeing her at Christmas, Thanksgiving and other special occasions and through correspondence.

Aunt Wilma served faithfully with Uncle Leland in the ministry for over forty years. They had two children Jerry and Kay.

Kay was diagnosed with lung cancer and within the year went to be with the Lord when she was in her mid-thirties leaving her husband and four children. She gave a precious testimony with her memorial service that she had prepared herself, including honorary pallbearers made up of the church youth group led by her and her husband.

Jerry became a pastor, ministered in several churches and later served as the President of Great Lakes Christian College from 1994-99. you might like to follow this link to listen to a message he preached at a 2008 commencement service.

http://www.glcc.edu/main/jerrypaulcommencement.mp3

Aunt Wilma was a choir leader, pianist, teacher, and loved her Heavenly Father and served Him faithfully.

One time not too many years ago while visiting Aunt Wilma and Uncle Leland at Golden Years Homestead in Fort Wayne they shared with my husband and me that the preacher had married them from his sick bed. One would think that from such an unorthodox beginning it might not last, but it lasted over seventy years.  Obviously the preparation and wedding is not near as important as the quality of the marriage.

When we arrived that day to visit them we went to there apartment to find Uncle Leland alone and he said she is out for a walk.  Sure enough when we got the the entrance door of the lobby, there she came, strolling along the sidewalk, elegantly dressed in a hot pink pant suit like Miss American on the runway.

At the funeral her pastor hit the nail on the head when he stated that Aunt Wilma was a “classy lady”.

Father, Thank you so much for the legacy you have given us.

Help me Father to follow the Savior in such a way to bring glory and honor to Your Name.

In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray,

Amen

Please read this portion in the Word of God

Deuteronomy 6:5-9