More Pictures at Schagen

Here is a picture of the Frisian dress competition in Schagen. They were dancing here in this picture..the Frisian foot dance.The host introduced each participant..and explained what each part of their dress clothing meant or represented. Look at the large church in the background which was located in the central part of the main business square. I did not get a chance to go into it..there were many flights of stairs a person would have to climb..and I was really not up to that at that time to get to the top. But many folks did.

Inside Museum

While in Schagen we visited a Museum of old Frisian dress..and how they lived many years ago.
The picture is of a lady wearing the traditional frisian clothes..sewing by the table. You will see many other interesting things displayed as well.

One of the things I have always enjoyed is history. Visiting museums is like reading history books..only you get to see the pictures displayed right before your eyes.

Love, Alice

Train Ride

My cousin Reintje from Zaandam and I , went on this train to go to Schagen. It was a very nice trip..she does not drive nor have a car..as many people do not have one. She mostly takes her bike to do her shopping. But if she wants to go to another town she will take the bus or train..which ever is the most reasonable to take at that time.

Love, Alice

Sharing my Vacation Photos

Okay you know I went to the country of my birth this past summer..it's about time I shared some pictures with you. My cousing Reintje (and I have three cousins by that name including a sister... They were all named after my grandmother on my mother's side). but the oldest Reintje who lives in Zaandam..went to a Frisian celebration in Schagen. There they had a parade of old Frisian dress..wagons horse carriages, and baby buggies..and much more. We also went to some museums there..and they had an open market day also that day.

More pictures to come later.

Love, Alice

God Is....

God Is...

He is the First and Last, The Beginning and the End!
He is the Keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can’t understand him,
The armies can’t defeat Him,

The schools can’t explain Him, and the leaders can’t ignore Him.
Herod couldn’t kill Him, The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him, and The people couldn’t hold Him!
Nero couldn’t crush Him, Hitler couldn’t silence Him,
The New Age can’t replace Him, and “Oprah” can’t explain Him away!

He is Light, Love, Longevity, and Lord.
He is Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, Mighty, Powerful, and Pure.

His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.

I follow Him because He is the Wisdom of the wise, the Power of the powerful, the Ancient of days, the Ruler of rulers, the Leader of leaders, the Overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size...

His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me and
never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.

So, if you’re wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!
I love the Lord and thank Him for all that He has done in my life.
God Bless You and Keep You Until We Meet Again!

Amazing Grace by Kelly McFadden “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” – Luke 7:47-48 John Newton, the author of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” found faith in Jesus onboard a ship as it was floundering in a storm. This was not just any ship; the ship he was on was a slave ship. In the mid 1700s, Newton’s professional trade was the trafficking of human life. Newton and his crew would sale from England to Africa where they would pick up men, women and children who had been captured in tribal raids. They would trade arms and other goods for the finest of the prisoners. They would then chain them to prevent suicides, and lay them below deck side by side. As many as 600 people were stuffed together on the ship as it made its three week voyage. Due to the inhumane conditions, at times, up to 20% of those captured would die. After becoming a Christian, Newton left the sea for good and became a priest. He then wrote this hymn. You have probably sung it before, but read these words carefully knowing now why he wrote them. Amazing grace, how sweet the soundThat saved a wretch like me,I once was lost, but now am found,Was blind, but now I see. ’twas grace that taught my heart to fear,And grace my fears relieved.How precious did that grace appearThe hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares,I have already come.’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,And grace will lead me home. God’s mercy and grace drastically changed John Newton’s life. He understood God’s unconditional love better than most. When I read those words through the eyes of someone who truly realized he did not deserve grace, I am humbled. Too often I chalk up all the good things I have done and wait for what I think I deserve; however, according to the Scriptures, the truth of the matter is that I deserve judgment. And, I don’t really want that! I am thankful for God’s generosity and that He sent Hs one and only Son to die for us so that we would not get what we deserve, but that we would get His generous love and eternity with the Father. This is truly amazing grace! as seen in “Today’s HomeWord,” a daily devotional with Jim Burns. Visit them online at www.homeword.com

Serving for God's Glory

Serving for God's Glory

7. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

8. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."

9. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

10. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1Peter 4:7-11 NKJV)

Verse 7: Jesus could come back in judgement at anytime. Therefore we should all be ready to give a reason for the way we have lived. Because Christ could be coming at anytime Christians should seriously curb or get rid of any sinful passions we may be entertaining, in light of of the coming of the Lord. Peter in this verse urges us to be sober-minded (serious) and disciplined so that we can offer our prayers to God.

Verse 8: Peter is not suggesting that one Christian's love atones for another Christian's sins. Rather, by introducing this proverb from the Old Testament (see Pro. 10:12), he is reminding us that love does not stir up sins. We can demonstrate our love for our fellow believers by truly forgiving them and not talking openly about their past sins.

Verse 9: In the New Testament times, hospitality typically meant housing and feeding travelers for two or three days with no expectation of payment in return. Being truly hospitable required personal sacrifice. Therefore many who performed such acts of kindness to strangers sometimes complained behind the backs of their guests about the hardships of caring for them. In this letter, Peter exhorts those Christians to serve others cheerfully.

Verse 10: Every believer is gifted to serve. Stewarts are managers or trustees who will be held accountable for using their gift in the best interest of the One who gave it to them.

Verse 11: Those who teach God's truth to others should teach it in a reverent manner so that their hearers will respect the Word of God. Not relying on their own strength,Christians should use the power God gives us to do His will on earth.

1Peter 4:7-11 NKJV and Commentary.