The "Blacksmith"

I came across this story this morning and had to share it. I don't know if this really happened or not and more then likely it didn't but what a great way of digging into God's word!

Malachi 3:3 says:
"He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.."
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities... The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says:
"He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

That that is just plain good truth. Even in all my pain in my back it is good to know that He watches over us and that we are made in His image. a great reminder for the day!

In His Grip,

Jonathan

Back Pain!

Okey so here I am again with anther post that has taken me weeks to get out. I am not sure if I am just forgetting to post or if I am just so busy it is the last thing I really want to do..... I think in all truth I have just been too busy to blog. There has been a lot going on over the past few weeks so here is a short recap of everything:
Debbie's Birthday was about a week ago and I have been wanting to get her this gift for years now and just have not had the money or not been able to find it but this year I said was the year for me to get it for her. So I found it at discount price and Hope she enjoyed it. It was a "willow tree" the company not a real tree.
Emily has been growing and getting smarter as the days go by. I could write a book on all the things she is doing and how she keeps me smiling everyday.
In work news things are busying and over the past few weeks and even days have been trying to get more of our yearly training. We are working on TCI training this week and next. I am so not looking forward to the test we have to take on it all. I am about 95% sure I will not pass. But when it comes to most test I don't!
In other news. over the past two weeks I have been fighting with back pain. really bad back pain. I have been takeing meds and resting it during the day. Well the other day I was out feeling better working in the yard, getting things ready for the winters months here. I went to get the garden cart that goes on the back of the garden tractor that you put dirt, tools and stuff in while working out side. Well dumb me I put in on it on the back hook of the tractor not looking it in place at the time as I was only going a few 100 yards and it had ants on the look of the chart. I would lock it before I would put anything in it later. Well while coming down hill of the hilly driveway the girls where being kids (not thinking) and came from behind running up to the back of the chart to jump in it. well with it not being locked down it came off the hook and hit me in the back. Ya well skipping to today. I am still in bed with ice packs and alot of meds. Monday I go in to see my doctor. He said if I could not stand the pain before then he would make a house call and come check things out. Today I am able to get up and walk again I just still can't bend down or turn a full left or right. I am finding that I feel better today if I sleep it off. before it didn't matter if I took a nap or not it still hurt, so maybe things are looking up a little. I am still in a lot of pain and not sleeping all that well. But I guess it will take a little of time. I am glad however we are back in the upstate area where my back doctor is. As you may know I hate doctors and think the only doctors I should ever have is my Eye Doctor and my Back Doctor other then that NO WAY!!!!

In Pain,
Jonathan

My Daily Prayer!

Dear Lord,
So for today... I have been doing all right, I have not gasped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or judgmental, I have not whined, complained, cursed or eaten any chocolate. I have charged nothing on my credit card. But I will be getting out of bed in a minute and I think I will really need your help then.

Love, Your child