Northwoods Conservatives

11 hours ago

January 29, 2026, the 29th day of 2026 We can live in this world while not being of this world. We can appreciate the good things in this world, while brushing aside what is not. We can help while ... View More

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Nelani Nettrour

January 28, 2026 3:23 pm

January 28, 2026, the 28th day of 2026 Slow Warm Up This morning was -11°F and our high was 7°F, as it is already dropping. That is a big difference from last week, but still a very slow warming fr... View More

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Nelani Nettrour

January 27, 2026 11:54 pm

January 27, 2026, the 27th day of 2026 Rejoicing While Enduring Enduring is not a pleasant thing. We don't have to endure happy times, we endure hard times.... View MoreJanuary 27, 2026, the 27th day of 2026 Rejoicing While Enduring Enduring is not a pleasant thing. We don't have to endure happy times, we endure hard times. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thessalonians 5:16-18 These verses especially apply when we are facing hard times. Rejoicing isn't hard when things are easy. Rejoicing is hard when things get hard, when we need to keep going, when we need to endure. We often pray more in hard times, but when God tells us to endure, instead of bringing those hard times to an end, that can be pretty rough. Thanksgiving is easy when things are going well, but harder when they are not. Still, God expects us to be thankful, even in the midst of hard times, even when He says to keep enduring. A Christian's life is filled with ups and downs. But through all of it, Jesus is on our side. He will help us and see us through it all. Jesus also warns that the life of His followers require endurance. "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Matthew 24:12-13 Overcoming is a part of enduring. "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' ” Revelation 3:5-6 Enduring is not just surviving. It is thriving. We need to live fully in hard times, to enjoy life, even when things are hard. We need to focus on being grateful for the good we have, the blessings and not just focus on the hard things. We need to make times to have fun, to fellowship, to be an inspiration to others struggling. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." II Corinthians 1:3-4 Focusing on hard things has a tendency to make us hard and bitter. God does not want us to be either. Hard times, tribulation, struggles, trials and testings all require us to strive to do our best, not to surrender to despair. "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. I Peter 1:6-9 There are also times that God disciplines us. We need to learn from those times as well. When we are going through hard times we need to trust in God, not to give into doubt. We need to stand, not collapse. We need to look to the days beyond the trials, while living faithfully through them. "Now no discipline seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11 Trusting in God through all makes all the difference. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5 Growing stronger through tribulation comes from trust in God, with endurance mingled with rejoicing and thanksgiving through the good and the bad. Prayer helps to keep us rooted in the will of God when we look to Him and depend on Him to lead us. Stay strong! While you endure, make sure that you also live a full life. NAN

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Nelani Nettrour

January 26, 2026 11:50 pm

January 26, 2026, the 26th day of 2026 Slowly Warming Up We look like we are finally going to be warming up in a few days. It has already started, but it will take a few more days to really make an... View More

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Nelani Nettrour

January 25, 2026 11:24 pm

January 25, 2026, the 25th day of 2026 Peace in God's Presence Many find it odd or hard to believe that someone can feel at peac when everything they do, say, think and imagine is completely observ... View MoreJanuary 25, 2026, the 25th day of 2026 Peace in God's Presence Many find it odd or hard to believe that someone can feel at peac when everything they do, say, think and imagine is completely observed by another. That would be rather freaky if it were a flawed human being that could do all of that because they would put their own spin on things. Even knowing all of that, they would still misinterpret the other person. They would give more weight to things that really did not matter. And they would disregard things that did. None of us can perfectly understand another. We do not even perfectly understand ourselves. That is why we cannot, and should not, try to read one another's minds, or make assumptions about reasons and motives for others' actions. We each need our private space, within us--our soul--where we can sort things out without anyone else seeing or knowing the jumble it can be in the process. No person needs to have access to that place. But when that person is God, it is totally different. Even though we cannot hide from God, there is actually peace in that, because God understands us better than we understand ourselves. God will not accept our excuses, but He understands our history better than we do. He knows what we have forgotten. And He clearly sees what we have buried. We may try to lie to ourselves. We may even succeed. But God knows better than to allow us to live in a lie. His light will eventually expose it to us. Some days we may feel alone and unloved, but if we seek Him out, God will wrap us in His embrace and let us cry into His chest. God knows all. But He still wants to hear it from us. He doesn't care if we go over something again and again with Him. He is never frustrated or bothered by repeats. God can read us, but He still wants us to speak to Him. That there is Someone Who understands us so fully, knowing all of our failings, weakness and all of our mistakes and still wants a relationship with us is amazing! That we can talk honestly with God about it all and know that the answers He gives are given in truth and for our benefit, should bring us peace. Truth sets us free and lies imprison us! True, close friends are those who we can be ourselves with and they can be themselves. That is why true friendships are so rare. But even the best of the best friendships do not compare to being in the presence of God. Being fully known of God brings peace. There is no peace in pretense. Pretense is a lie and lies imprison us. There is no peace in pretending we are someone we are not and lying to ourselves. There is no peace in play acting with others and hoping that they won't catch on. Lies will cruble someday and we will be shattered. And if we do not turn to God at that time, healing may be delayed or never come. But there is peace in the presence of God, even when He disciplines us. Even as God reveles our sins to us, He holds out His hands to pull us out of the filth. In repentance we take that hand and we are cleansed. In surrender we get up and follow our new Lord and Master, King Jesus, Who made the path back to God. And when we fall before the throne of God, we find that we are not only His subject, but His beloved child! To be able to come to God, as our Father, knowing He knows all and still loves us, gives peace. Stay strong! Let the knowledge that God knows all about you and yet has called you to Himself, bring you peace. NAN

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Nelani Nettrour

January 24, 2026 5:41 pm

January 24, 2026, the 24th day of 2026 Winter Work and Rest Most of what we do in the Northwoods we do despite the weather, except for the coldest days. If possible we take advantage of those days ... View MoreJanuary 24, 2026, the 24th day of 2026 Winter Work and Rest Most of what we do in the Northwoods we do despite the weather, except for the coldest days. If possible we take advantage of those days and kick back. Yesterday was one of those days, and today was as well. At -31°F when we got up this morning, we knew it was going to be another slower day. Farm chores didn't need to wait much later than yesterday because the temperature today didn't have a wind chill to contend with that there was yesterday. Except for farm chores and bringing wood in that was cut, split and put into the shed earlier, we spent the day inside. We made spiced apple juice from some of the apple juice we had canned. That simmered nicely on the woodstove and tastes great. We also made applesauce cake from the applesauce we had also canned earlier. When we use our canned apple products I am always reminded of the sweet friends who shared their apples with us. I say an extra prayer of blessing on them, and thank God for the provisions. It is worth all that extra work in the Sunmer and Fall to be able to have our homemade products to use as we want. We also started a pot of chili for tomorrow. Some more spicing and simmering tonight and tomorrow's supper will be set. The sun was shinning today. The high reached -1°F--a heat wave! Yesterday it only got to -12°F as the high. That was still too cold to want to go out any more than necessary and I am glad we did not have to. We actually got our hunker down day yesterday. We popped the pop corn and ate it with soda and enjoyed the feel of a mini cinema as we watched videos. The we did some gaming after supper. It was fun to goof off and not have extra work to do. We may be coming to the end of the deep chill for a while. After tonight with the low predicted to be around -24°F, it is supposed to warm up a bit. Tomorrow night it is supposed to be around -17°F then warming a bit each day. Monday night it looks like we will be back into single digits below zero, with highs finally above zero. We will see what we get when it comes. We pray for what we want and leave it in the hands of God for what we get. No matter the weather or situation, a life surrendered to Jesus, is a life overflowing! Stay strong! Commit each day to the Lord! NAN

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