So. Rustic is it for this one. A little taste of back in time.
Father, old or new, bold or subtle, your creativity is dispersed to all kinds of people. Please help each one to know the Source of their inspirations. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
. . .
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who are in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
"'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
. . .
And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
Acts 2:1-4; 14-18; 21 (NIV)
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No way Castle was going to survive the departure of Kate Beckett (Stana Katic). Castle and Beckett were the show. It was time.
Lord, you're all that matters. Apart from you, we can do nothing – even if we have no idea who you are. Please lead those who don't know you to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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When a story takes too long to develop and telegraphs exactly what's going to happen but not how, it can get boring. How soon does an author reveal the connections to future actions in the story? When it's done, how long do you as a reader want to wait? In the meantime that crisis dangles there in the background while the forefront of the story carries on without that knowledge and the reader knows all you-know-what is going to erupt and send everyone reeling into pain and suffering before it's all resolved.
I can't tell you how long the lapse between events should be. I only know when it's boring to read because I'm tired of waiting for the chaotic moment. The sad revelations, the offense and deep hurts, the "what should I do?" foolishness. I'm bored. Timing is everything as "they" say, and clearly some books don't have it. Much like many intangibles in writing fiction, there is no firm answer or directive. What works for one reader doesn't come close to satisfying another.
What I do know is if the author takes too long, stalls the crisis, I'm not good with it. Experiencing that now . . .
Father, it's hard to write well and create good stories, even those you give to us to tell. We try to honor you and do what you've called us to do. Help us, Lord. Apart from you, we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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There is the faintest outline of Mt. Rainier in this before photo of the back side of the house before we lived here.
In this after shot, you see more of the house and not the spectacular view. That particular hose holder is gone along with the ladder. The fence is added. That bunch of rhododendrons is in an advanced stage of bloom. It's a good shot of the true colors.
I'll never run out of thank yous, Lord. Too much. Thank you endlessly for who you are and what you've done and what you do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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This doesn't give us a big picture of the whole kitchen, but there are some really nice features here which combine rustic with modern. The floor, ceiling, and meandering stairway off to the right, the stools, and stone/brick pillar and wall work provide an interesting and attractive combination. Perhaps someone can translate the French on the big board over the refrigerator. Décor definitely feels European but looks American. Ah, but see picture below of the rest of the kitchen from another view.
Lord, you inspire beauty in every area of life. If it's beautiful, it's because of you. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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On the Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?
Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions." Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.
Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or destroy it?"
He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Luke 6:1-11 (NIV)
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You've seen the after. Now you can see the before. The metal sides in the before are green. In the after they are the same color as the newly painted body. The before doors (both man and garage/shop) were a chocolate brown and are now black.
The outbuildings you see in the before picture are now the same colors as the body and trim of the shop, garage, and house. We're very happy with the results.
Thank you, Lord. So inadequate but thank you from our hearts. Apart from you, we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Have so wanted a new Mitch Rapp story. The new one (cover art coming soon), as they all have, sounds enticing! Yay!
Thanks to Brenda Anderson for the link:
Thank you, Lord, for continuing the legacy of Vince Flynn. Please bless Kyle Mills as he continues to emulate the stories. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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The ancient basketball hoop is no longer there. The black cyclone fence is new. The garage doors are new. And what a spectacular paint job, huh? Thank you, Lord. And kudos to the employees of Wheeler Painting and Restoration. So talented!
God in heaven, what you have done for us is nothing short of amazing. Your grace and benevolence are incomprehensible. Too big for my small imagination. As always, thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
