Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

THE CLOTHESLINE

A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by,
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the "company table cloths"
With intricate designs.

The line announced a baby's birth
From folks who lived inside -
As brand new infant clothes were hung,
So carefully with pride!

The ages of the children could
So readily be known,
By watching how the sizes changed,
You'd know how much they'd grown!

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.

It also said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare!

New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way.

But clotheslines now are of the past,
For dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess!

I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line.

~ Marilyn K. Walker

I have always loved clotheslines. I love to hang my clothes out in the fresh air where they can be disinfected, deodorized, and sanitized in the sun. I love to see them blowing in the wind. I love to go to sleep on sheets that have dried in the sun. And forgive me, but I have an aversion to clothes dryers, unless it is raining and I have to use them.

Back in New Zealand and Australia where I raised our children we had revolving clotheslines. I remember when I used to hang the twins (Evangeline and Stephen) in hanging swings, one each end of the clothesline. They would twirl around as I turned the revolving clothesline to hang up the clothes, and they loved it.

It was always my favorite chore of the day as I could get out in the fresh air, and get exercise--bending down to pick up the clothing and reaching up to peg it on the line is good stretching. And I got plenty of exercise. I remember when I had three children in 17 months, and then four under four! And in those days we didn't have disposable diapers. I washed the "nappies" as we called them in New Zealand and daily hung them on the line. The sun would bleach out the stains from them. It was wonderful.

I know many are not even allowed to have clotheslines in their subdivision. The authorities say that they make the subdivision look untidy. How sad! Because we live out in the country, we are free to have a clothesline. But, I still haven't had one since we came out to the land 14 years ago! But, not to be outdone, I hang my clothes on our deck. Only when it is pouring with rain do I condescendingly use the dryer.

However, this Christmas, Serene and Sam and Pearl and Charlie took pity on my and bought me a revolving clothesline. I was blessed out of my socks. And you'd never believe it. Without knowing what they were doing, my sister, Kate bought me a peg bag filled with old fashioned wooden pegs. How amazing!

Love from Nancy Campbell

I'm just getting back to you because our Internet has been down since yesterday morning. After watching the interview it's hard to believe that Serene and Pearl were up all night with no sleep! Serene took little Haven with her and her older daughter, Chalice to help watch her. However, little Haven got croup in the night and they had to get her outside into the cold air to get her breathing. They were walking the streets of New York with little Haven, with scary people around, throughout the night and went to the interview with having no sleep! They came home so tired, and have yet many funny and hair-raising stories to tell us. Wherever Serene goes, there are hilarious stories to tell!

And while they were in New York their sons were doing the manly thing at home--out hunting for deer. Bowen, Pearl's 15 year old son shot a deer, and Arden, Serene's 16 year old son also shot a deer, his fourth for the season! In fact last night, I cooked a beautiful lentil soup with the venison from Arden's deer he shot on Saturday evening! And I should mention, that Arrow, Evangeline's son, also shot a deer on the weekend, too. Praise the Lord for their success on the last day of deer hunting. We are filling our freezers!

Love from Nancy

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Did you know that Pearson Publishers, the largest textbook publishing company for our children's textbooks, is seeking to undermine our Judeo-Christian values and subtly bring in anti-Christian, anti-American, anti-Semitic, and anti-Israel information?

One of these books is "The Cultural Landscape and Human Geography" which is being used in our local highs schools. Pearson Publishers has hired a consultant, Shabbir Mansuri, who is promoting Islamic and anti-Semitic propaganda to our children. Mansuri has publicly stated that he is “waging a bloodless revolution in America’s schools.”

To sign a petition to remove Pearson Publisher's and other similar textbooks from being used in our state schools, please go to: www.pjtn.org (Proclaiming Justice to the Nations), click on Involved and then Petitions.

Let's take a stand. Nancy

During our Family Devotions each day we love to pray for the persecuted church and the needy cities of the world. To give us information, we use the book, Praying Through the 100 Gateway Cities of the 10/40 Window.

Currently we are praying for the cities of Mecca and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. In this book it mentions that Islam educational institutions require that 70 percent of all their education must be devoted to Islam studies. I find this challenging. They are passionate about their religion! Yet, in our so-called Christian nation we are not even allowed to use the Bible in our schools! What are we thinking about?

And what about Christian homeschoolers? Are we as passionate for our faith? Are we as concerned that our children grow up richly filled with God's truth? Do we spend 70 percent of our time educating our children in God's Word and His ways? Are we looking to the future?

May God save us from filling our children with so much that is good, but not the NECESSARY AND THE BEST! May we forget fitting into the status quo and doing what everyone else is doing, and embark on raising God-filled Word-filled, and truth-filled young men and women.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Hebrews 13:5 tells us that we are to HONOR marriage. It is God who designed marriage and therefore we must not treat it lightly or take it for granted. And we dare not defile the sacred marriage bed.

The word, honor, means "to esteem, to regard as valuable, beloved, and precious." It is the same word that is used when talking about the "precious blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:19) and the "precious promises" (1 Peter 1:4).

And yet how easy it is for take it for granted or to even talk degradingly about our marriage. May God give us a new vision to see the honor God has put upon it and to do everything in our power to make our marriage a testimony of honor.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Many husbands feel the weight of providing for another mouth to feed and therefore don't want to have any more children. And many mothers feel like this, too.

But, dear mother, God has promised that He will never fail us. David confessed, "I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread" (Psalm 37:25).

When God gives a baby, He always provides. HE DOESN'T PROVIDE BEFORE THE BABY COMES, BUT WHEN THE BABY COMES. Oh yes, I know many will have many "ifs and buts" but before you express them, check out this article, "Is God Able to Provide for Another baby?"
http://tinyurl.com/IsGodAbleToProvide

Here are some more promises for you to read as you think about embracing another baby. Read them, meditate on them, confess them out loud, and BELIEVE THEM! You can rely upon them more than any word of man!

Psalm 37:28 says, "For the Lord loves justice; HE WILL NOT FORSAKE HIS SAINTS. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off." The New Living Translation says, "For the Lord loves justice, and HE WILL NEVER ABANDON THE GODLY. He will keep them safe forever."

Hebrews 13:5-6 says, "BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE: for he hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do unto me." The New Living Translation says, "Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I WILL NEVER FAIL YOU I WILL NEVER ABANDON YOU.'"

Have you got the message? God will NEVER abandon you! Read these Scriptures, too: Deuteronomy 4:31; 31:6, 8; 1 Kings 6:13; Psalm 9:10; 37:25, 28; 94:14; 1 Chronicles 28:20; 1 Timothy 6:6-8 and Isaiah 41:17.

And have you read the following link yet? It is filled with the revelation of God's promises. http://tinyurl.com/IsGodAbleToProvide

Love from Nancy

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above;
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee

~ Frances Ridley Havergal

Here are some more promises for you to read as you think about embracing another baby. Read them, meditate on them, confess them out loud, and BELIEVE THEM! You can rely upon them more than any word of man!

Psalm 37:28 says, "For the Lord loves justice; HE WILL NOT FORSAKE HIS SAINTS. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off." The New Living Translation says, "For the Lord loves justice, and HE WILL NEVER ABANDON THE GODLY. He will keep them safe forever."

Hebrews 13:5-6 says, "BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE: for he hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do unto me." The New Living Translation says, "Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I WILL NEVER FAIL YOU I WILL NEVER ABANDON YOU.'"

Have you got the message? God will NEVER abandon you! Read these Scriptures, too: Deuteronomy 4:31; 31:6, 8; 1 Kings 6:13; Psalm 9:10; 37:25, 28; 94:14; 1 Chronicles 28:20; 1 Timothy 6:6-8 and Isaiah 41:17.

And have you read the following link yet? It is filled with the revelation of God's promises. http://tinyurl.com/IsGodAbleToProvide

Love from Nancy

A precious, adorable gift, fresh from the heart of God. Not only a blessing to you, but to the world. And even more, an eternal soul who will live forever!

To be pregnant and to nurture babies and children is never wasted. It is a powerful career that affects the nation, the generations to come, and ETERNITY.

Nancy

I'd love to also share the challenging words of the hymn by Charles D. Meigs:

OTHERS, LORD, YES OTHERS

Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for others.

OTHERS, LORD, YES OTHERS,
LET THIS MY MOTTO BE,
HELP ME TO LIVE FOR OTHERS
THAT I MAY LIVE LIKE THEE.

Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true
And know that all I’d do for You
Must needs be done for others.

Let self be crucified and slain
And buried deep: and all in vain
May efforts be to rise again,
Unless to live for others.

And when my work on earth is done,
And my new work in Heav’n’s begun,
May I forget the crown I’ve won,
While thinking still of others.

How do you preserve your life? By pouring it out for others.

Further to the post, POURED OUT, I'd love to share the words of one of Serene's songs with you. Serene and Pearl actually haven't recorded this song as yet, but I have always loved the words:

POURED OUT!

There was a woman who knelt down beside You
And watered Your feet with her tears,
She kissed You with lips that were known for no virtue
And dried Your dusty soles with her hair.
She broke the alabaster vial
And anointed You with the oil.

POURED OUT, POURED OUT FOR YOU,
A FRAGRANT, FRAGRANT PERFUME,
POURED OUT, POURED OUT FOR YOU,
I WANT TO BE POURED OUT!

I am a woman who’s kneeling at Your feet
With nothing to give You of worth,
I’ll break open my soul and spill every drop of me,
I’ll pour my life out like the oil.
I’ll sacrifice this earthen vessel,
May my tears be as sweet perfume

They said it was such a waste
But when she saw the oil run down your holy face,
Nothing could replace, no nothing could replace!

I'd love to also share the challenging words of the hymn by Charles D. Meigs:

OTHERS, LORD, YES OTHERS

Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for others.

OTHERS, LORD, YES OTHERS,
LET THIS MY MOTTO BE,
HELP ME TO LIVE FOR OTHERS
THAT I MAY LIVE LIKE THEE.

Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true
And know that all I’d do for You
Must needs be done for others.

Let self be crucified and slain
And buried deep: and all in vain
May efforts be to rise again,
Unless to live for others.

And when my work on earth is done,
And my new work in Heav’n’s begun,
May I forget the crown I’ve won,
While thinking still of others.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God wants to sow good things into our lives. But, the enemy of the kingdom of darkness wants to sow negative things to destroy our lives. Because of sin, or situations that happen to us in life, the devil sows seeds of fear, bitterness, hurt, and despair. However, these seeds are not planted by God, therefore don't allow them to root and grow in your life. Allow the Holy Spirit to come in His mighty power and flow through your life.

Jesus said in Matthew 15:13, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, SHALL BE ROOTED UP." Don't you love that? God didn't plant these destructive seeds. They are not from God and therefore you don't have to have them! As you yield to Him, God will root up every evil seed the devil tries to plant in your life.

Let God have His way, not the devil.

Love from Nancy Campbell

We live in a fleeting world. God says this life is only a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:4). And yet there is another world. It is the enduring world. The forever world. Hebrews 10:34 tells us that we have "in heaven a BETTER and an ENDURING SUBSTANCE." But, somehow it is easy to get totally entrenched in this fleeting world and think this is where we have our substance, isn't it? No, our real substance is in the eternal world. Let's use every moment of every day to build into the substance of the eternal world (Hebrews 13:14).

The wonderful thing is that motherhood builds into the eternal world. What a privilege and blessing to embrace the divine career of motherhood. Each one of our children is an eternal soul that will live forever. As we lead them to salvation and in the ways of God we prepare them for the truly lasting world. What an awesome commission.

Forget "grasping" after material things and possessions. They will all be left behind. Pour your life into mothering and establishing a godly home and you will build up substance in the forever world.

I read an article yesterday about a woman who survived the holocaust. When she died at 93 she left behind 2,000 living descendants! Two thousands eternal souls! " What a legacy!

Here is the article about the Jewish woman, Yitta Schwartz, who I mentioned above.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/21/nyregion/21yitta.html

Love from Nancy Campbell

While I am on a role about the great missionary, C. T. Studd, here is another poem written by him. Great stuff. Pass it on to your husband and your sons. Nancy

GOD'S DREADNOUGHT
by C. T. Studd

Old Daniel was a Dreadnought!
If he was here to-day,
He'd make it hot for the pious lot
Who don't do as they say.

He didn't speak behind folks' backs,
But met them face to face;
He called spades spades, and dubbed knaves
knaves,
And always proved his case.

He neither cared for place nor power,
Nor feared the lions' den;
A godly cause will lock the jaws
Of beasts, or jealous men.

Whatever God at any time
Might write upon the wall,
He'd up and say, without delay,
To King and Court and all.

Dan didn't say "Belshazzar, Sire,
Your faults are peccadilloes";
He hit his sin with a rolling pin,
And not with feather pillows.

Dan didn't sugar-coat his pills,
Half doses didn't please him;
To save a life he'd use the knife
And bleed a fool to ease him.

Old Daniel ran a college once
Which turned out three invincibles;
A verse or two will let you know
What things he taught as principles.

Dare to be a Dreadnought,
With purpose true and firm;
Dare to live on simple fare,
And don't become a worm.

Dare to be a Dreadnought,
Dare to beard a King;
Tell him all the truth and don't
Emasculate the thing.

Dare to be a Dreadnought,
Faithful, loyal, bold,
Scorning under any threats
To worship man or gold.

Dare to be a Dreadnought,
Not a dressed up "toff,"
Nor glorified policeman,
Nor gun that won't go off.

Make a bold confession,
Though it means the rod;
Dare to kick the devil hard,
And dare to trust in God.

"Lord, send us lion-hearted men
With good courageous habits
Who ne'er will run from the devil's gun
Like hares and bunny rabbits!"

"When we are in hand-to-hand conflict with the world, the flesh, and the devil himself, neat little Biblical confectionery is like shooting lions with a pea-shooter; God needs a man who will let go and deliver blows right and left as hard as he can hit, in the power of the Holy Ghost. Nothing but forked-lightning Christians will count."

"Some want to live
within the sound
of church or chapel bell;
I want to run
a rescue shop
within a yard of hell!"

"Genuine soldiers are heroes,
'Chocolate soldiers' are shams,
The soldiers of Jesus are lions,
Not hares or timid lambs."