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Dear Readers, I thought that I would put this poem on here that I wrote recently. As a ballet fan, I love the artistic quality of the choreography and movement of Ballet. Dancing Ballet, at least in my view, is the creative merge portrayed between a dancer's imagination and movement. These two blend together to create a unique portrayal of beauty. Although Ballet is also a dance that requires much hard work and discipline, it is also somewhat freeing in it's way. Anyhow- while reflecting on what I just said, I sent my pen to paper and this poem is the result. I hope you enjoy the beauty of 'the dance' as much as I did. -Lindsay “The Dance” Flashes of sequined tulle in the air A bright sash from a dancer’s hand, twirling; Like a bird, it sings and glides- To the command of the dancer *“Jete, danseur, Jete!” commands the instructor; While the girl responds with a swift m...

Dear Readers, Although the above video is hysterically funny, the significance and story of Hanukkah is no laughing matter. It is a time for joy 'though, in celebration of the deliverance of Israel. For the past few years my family and I have been celebrating this Jewish Festival of Lights, and in this post I will give you a little insight into this incredible holiday.       Hanukkah (sometimes transliterated Chanukkah) is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the secular calendar. In Hebrew, the word "hanukkah" means "dedication." The name reminds us that this holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E. The Hanukkah Story In 168 B.C.E. the Jewish Temple was seized by Syrian-Greek soldiers and dedicated to the worship of the god Zeus....

Dear Readers, I just had to post this song on here! It is such an encouragement! Just to remind us that even when things get tough, God is there. I was so blessed by this song and I hope that it encourages you too. As we walk on our paths, it is good to remember God's lovingkindness. This week I have been reading in Joel. Here is a beautiful passage from it: "The mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk, and all the brooks will flow with water; and a spring will go out from the valley of Shittim. Egypt will become a waste, and Edom will become a desolate wilderness, because of the violence done to the sons of Judah, in whose land they have shed innocent blood. But Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem for all generations. And I will avenge their blood which I have not avenged, for the Lord dwells in Zion." Joel 3: 18-21 I hope that this encourages you as well... Thanks for the stroll... -Lindsay

Dear Readers, It has actually been around two weeks of this challenge, and I have discovered so much about making choices and following goals the way Jesus would. God has shown me so many things about life and I am so grateful! The latest in my journey is the story of Stefania Pedgorski. 17 year-old Stefania Pedgorski and her six year-old little sister Helena lived in Poland during WWII. Before the war, Stefania (Fuschia) worked at a shop owned by a jewish family with wich she was close friends. Her family lived on a farm near the city. After the Nazis invaded the city, Stefania moved in with the jewish family until they were taken to the Ghetto. After finding out that the Germans had sent her family to a factory far away, she managed to find her little sister, and eventually resqued 13 jews from the Ghetto. For the next 2 1/2 years, Stefania (who had then moved to a farmhouse on the edge of town) hid and took care of those 13 jews until they were saved by Russian s...

Dear Readers, Lately, as I have been working on continuing my challenge on making decisions based on what I believe my Saviour would make; I find myself still struggling with my biggest enemy...                            Distraction. Not only is this a hard battle, as I said in my other entries, it is a major decision-making process that we will lose unless we call upon God. One of the greatest "tripper-happy" temptations to me today was related to a females much-beloved excuse: "I am just so tired!" As women, (truthful moment here...) we often use this excuse to get out of our goals. I mean, we do get tired, mostly because we are working all day long, but still we complain so we can not have to do one more thing. Here is an example of a woman's thoughts to explain my comment: "Oh, my aching back! I think I made too many beds today. I ...

 Dear Readers, Well, this is day two and I still need to remind myself to consider what Jesus would do in my place. I have decided to put away any books that would distract me from this as well. One of the major difficulties of being a christian with standards and goals is that Satan tries so hard to distract you. Wherever you go, (this is more evident if you live near or in the city) the world is flashing lights all around in an attempt to sidetrack you from your goals. Satan wants to do this so that you will forget, or compromise, or eventually fall away from your former decisions and standards. Pretty soon, there are arrayed before us so many flashing lights, sounds, and sights, that we start to appear like a deer encountering a car's headlights! Our eyes are wide open and we tend to just go blank like an overrun computer's screen. We cannot let this happen. What we tend to do in handling things ourselves, is to vainly slap our faces or shake our heads to fo...

Dear Readers, As I mentioned in my last entry, I am currently on a challenge to ask myself when faced with any decision, "What would Jesus do?" I have tried today to do as I thought Jesus might do, although I needed to remind myself of the question every moment. The only problem was that I got caught up too much in the business of the day, before I noticed that I had forgotten my vow to consider this question. And I found myself forgetting a lot . (Here is my true example:) It got very hectic this morning because we had to take my brother to his orthodontist appointment, and as soon as we reached the office I sat down and began to flip through the various magazines there that are usually displayed for 'costumer comfort.' Of course I didn't eagerly read the current issue of "Self," or "Oprah," but I found myself compromising with issues such as "Ladies Home Journal," "Justine," and others. The magazines weren't horrib...

Dear Readers, One of my favorite bible study books for children is called "What would Jesus Do?" By Helen Haidle. The Original book "In His Steps" by Charles Sheldon inspired the children's version, and a recent movie directed by Thomas Makowski. I know the basic storyline to the original, but have never read the book. I re-discovered the book today and am completely inspired! I know that it is a difficult thing to take on, but I am game to this challenge. Difficult yes, but just as much so as it is when we battle our flesh every day. In this I am inviting you as well to join me. Daily, as we recall that stirring proverb "What Would Jesus Do?" we will face our spiritual life in a whole new way. Following in Christ's steps requires our whole release of ourselves. It means making choices that we believe Jesus would make. These decisions often are difficult, and demand a large amount of us, but just knowing that God is watching us struggle again...

  Dear Readers, This is one of my favorite books, because it is so clear in displaying how much we can be affected by the world. The main character in this book is Polly, a young woman who was raised in a Christian Home in the country. As a young girl, Polly goes to visit her cousins for a while. Visiting the city is new to Polly, and she is shocked by all that she sees. She witnesses firsthand the destroying defects of a place where flirtation, sin, vanity, disobedience, and disrespect run rampant among young people around her. Never fear, for Polly remains steadfast and true to her convictions and Godly upbringing all through her life, even after she returns several years later and falls in love. Although I did not agree with her choice of a husband, the moral of the story is strong: To be morally steadfast is best of all. I highly recommend this book to people of all ages. It was ce...

Dear Readers, If you haven't heard this song already, you are sure to love it! It is such a precious reminder of how close God is. Just the picture of walking with Him in a garden is so wonderful! It reminds us of how close our relationship with God is and can be. When we talk to God, we can relax and confide in Him in the quiet of His love. He doesn't want us to hurriedly yell out a prayer to Him. One of those "Oh.. yeah.. God. Um... hey! Could You.." God wants to hear us calling out to Him, reaching for the hand He stretches out for us to grasp. Calmly, tenderly, He wants to walk with us. And it is so easy to just freely converse with Him. In the peace of His garden of Mercy and Loving kindness He is waiting.... waiting to hear from His children. He can walk with you, and talk with you, if you will just speak to Him. And He wants you to know that you are His Own. This is why this song is such an inspiration and sweet reminder to me. A reminder that God is...

    Dear Readers, I discovered this beautiful song a few months back, and I have loved it ever since. I know it this song is only meant for married women, it also reminds us as daughters as well. As young women, we are placed in a position of service to our families. Especially to our fathers, because they are the heads of the household. Sometimes, as women, we want to do our own thing, regardless of others in positions of authority over us. Yet it is our duty to serve and obey. We serve a unique purpose in life, we are trained and dedicated as young women, to become help meets to our future spouses. We learn to humbly aid them in their future work, gently serving them, recognising their needs and loving them despite their differences. Difficult as it often is, we are the pillars of our father's and (or) husband's house. In times of difficulty, and in times of peace, we must stand by the men in our families, as aids to them in life. This is such...

Dear Readers, I was amazed when I got up this morning on how fast the seasons come and go! I looked outside my window and just stared in awe at the now brilliantly hued trees and soft grey sky. Somehow I must have missed their beauty in the rush and go of the past few weeks. Just taking a moment to pause and admire God's handiwork was refreshing! I never even realized that autumn had come until yesterday. I guess that we often forget to notice details around us because we are too busy obsessing over what we are doing. I do that too much, and so I often miss all the beautiful brushstrokes of God's artistic hand in life around me. In life in general even! And it is because of this that God reminds me so that I can stop running around like a headless chicken, to just even watch a bird wind it's way through the trees outside. I am so thankful for God's loving kindness and patience with me. As I was pondering over all this, I...

Greetings Dear Readers, Welcome to Linden Lane.... Join me as I share with you my adventures and discoveries along life's way. Laugh and cry with me as we stroll down this well-worn lane, scented with the joys of life's flowers, washed with the dew of trials and tears, and made memorable by the wisdom of our Great Creator, Yahweh. There is so much that I have learned about recently, that it would take me quite a while to write it all down, so I will limit myself for this first post. For now, here is a sweet poem; Life is but a stopping place, a pause in what's to be, A resting place along the road, to sweet eternity. We all have different journeys, different paths along the way, We all were meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay... Our destination is a place, far greater than we know. For some the journey's quicker, for some the journey's slow. And when the journey finally ends, we'll claim a great reward, And find...