From Treehouse To Tiny House

Since the advent of Treehouse Masters (Fridays, 10 pm, Animal Planet) about two or three years ago, I have desired a house high above the ground. Hubby and I know how to construct things. We have put in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, telephones, etc. How hard could it be, right? Famous Last Words. But time has been unkind and taken a toll on the frail shells we walk around in. So, with a heavy heart, that idea was laid aside. Now, thanks to watching Tiny House Nation the plan is to take a different tack. As soon as we’re able, a local distributor will supply the tiny pre-constructed building (8' x 16') with a porch and convert it to an extra bedroom with 1/2 bath. The buildings are surprisingly affordable and the manufacturer will finish them nearly anyway one desires. The new 8,000 BTU unit from the Great Air Conditioner Debacle purchased during the 4th of July weekend will be more than ample for comfort. 

Being a nature girl, I might even order the building with two windows placed together to make a small picture window facing the woods. We also plan to complete all our own electrical, plumbing, flooring, walls. It will save money going this route. 

Ok, I admit it, I’m also a bit of a control freak. *grin*

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The concrete block and solids (left) have been purchased to build the footers. This morning we began clearing the area of low limbs (middle & right), and were going to complete it, but the heat and humidity prematurely ran us inside. It is so bad right now I almost succumbed to heat prostration. Good thing there is lots of time.

[click to enlarge]

The inside decorations will be mostly Mason Jars (light fixtures, toothbrush holder, liquid soap holder, etc.) or anything that looks “country”. This is the plan, anyway, but as many know, the best laid plans may go awry.

Then I was racking my brain trying to come with a clever name for the shed. (I have to name everything.) A dear blogging friend came to the rescue! Cattales supplied an appropriate name for the new cabin: The Bird House. Clever, huh?! Why didn’t I think of that.

So that's been our week so far. What have y'all been up to?

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ A Watchman For Israel And The Apostle Of Grace

A Watchman For Israel And The Apostle Of Grace 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

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“…I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me” (Ezek. 33:7).

The Prophet Ezekiel was appointed by God as a “watchman” over the house of Israel. He was held responsible to warn the wicked from their way, for while God must deal justly with sin, He had declared: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Verse 11).

If Ezekiel failed to warn the wicked they would die in their sins, but their blood would be required at his hand. If he faithfully warned them, however, and they refused to heed the warning, they would die in their sins, but he would be absolved of all responsibility (See Verses 8 and 9).

Would some Christian reader remind us that we are living under another dispensation and that our message is one of grace? True enough, but this does not diminish, it increases our responsibility toward the lost.

“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (I Cor.14:8).

If we believers carelessly allow the lost to go to Christless graves, are we not morally responsible for their doom? Will we not be held accountable at the Judgment Seat of Christ? (See II Corinthians 5:10,11). This is why we find Paul reminding the Ephesian elders that he had not ceased to “warn” men “night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31).

As the apostle looked back over his ministry among the Ephesians he could say: “I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men” (Verse 26). And this had been so of his ministry in general. Indeed, it was now his desire that whatever the cost, he “might finish his course with joy, and the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Verse 24).

May Ezekiel, and the Apostle Paul, that great warrior for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, be memorials to us — of our great responsibility toward the lost!

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To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Funny Friday

Have a blessed day.

Happy Birthday To Jack And Sam III

I was contemplating participating in Wordless Wednesday, then a quick glance at the calendar changed the post's direction. My chicken scratch scribblings noted that today is Jack and Sam III's Second birthday. It seems like only yesterday I was still inconsolable over losing my dear little Miniature Schnauzer of 15 years, Maxie. Where has the time gone?

Above is when they where first settling in (do JRT's ever settle?!) and a rare moment of being sedate. At first they seemed to view us with distrust, as if these strange giants (us) where going to eat them or something equally disagreeable.

I wouldn't do that.

Too stringy.

*lol*

Here they are in a life-or-death tussle over a stick. I buy them nice, healthy toys and what do they do? Play with debris. Go figure.

Now they're sparing over who can stretch the longest.

I've noticed that in many ways Jack Russell Terriers act like cats. As many know, JRT's do not like anything of the feline persuasion. We where warned vehemently about that before bringing them home. "Do not own a cat ..." "Ok, ok," I remember thinking, "I won't own a cat." Well, I finally figured out why. It's because they don't like the competition. JRT's are fastidious, stealthy, alert, love to stretch and never seem to sit still for long. They really are wonderful dogs if one can get past the first year or so. During that time either stay medicated or get a hobby that requires multiple hours away from home. They almost drove us to distraction with their hyper activity those first few months. Now, of course, I couldn't imagine my life without them.

Happy Birthday little guys. I look forward to many years of enjoying your antics.

And if I could just teach them how to ride on the handlebars ... (wouldn't that be a hoot!?).

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Simple As Can Be

Simple As Can Be 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

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Have you ever heard some preacher say: “There are many things in the Bible which are hard to understand but, thank God, the plan of salvation is as simple as can be.”

Well the plan of salvation is simple IF we obey II Timothy 2:15, “rightly dividing the Word of truth.” Otherwise it is far from simple.

The Apostle Paul wrote: “We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Rom.3:28). Yet James wrote: “By works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).

Again, at Sinai God said to Israel through Moses: “If ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people …” (Ex. 19:5). But our Lord said, as He sent His apostles to witness for Him that, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved… and these signs shall follow them that believe: in My name shall they cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues…” etc. (Mark 16:16-18). Thus, according to their “great commission” water baptism was required for salvation and miraculous signs were the evidences of salvation.

Confusing? Contradictory? Not if we “rightly divide the Word of truth.” It was after “the law was given by Moses,” after our Lord’s earthly ministry, after the commission to the twelve, that God raised up another apostle, Paul, and sent him forth with “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

It was Paul who was sent to declare: “But NOW, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested…” (Rom. 3:21). “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:5). “Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).

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To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.