So Much More

I want to tell you today about this absolutely marvelous book for young women who are serious (VERY SERIOUS) about pursing biblical womanhood and staying at home until marriage. I was introduced to So Much More, written by sisters Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin, by a 17-year-old  friend who thought it was terrific. I do too, and so I've given it a few times as a gift to young gals, along with prayers that God will use it to touch hearts in an even more profound way.

This book is radical, biblical thinking, and for those who are new to the ideas presented, it would take some time for musing over. It's a book for young women who want to do more than just survive in our feministic, anti-Christian, anti-family culture. It's about personal and cultural change.

My 17-year-old friend had introduced me to the companion DVD, Return of the Daughters, a few months before. The DVD is a documentary by the Botkin sisters, highlighting several young women who have made the "So-Much-More" choice. The day after watching it, I ordered four to give away. I've encouraged the gals to watch it with their fathers. As I've said, it's radical thinking, and not everyone can handle this, but for those who are ready, it's a powerful way to prepare for a life dedicated to God's grace and glory.

 

You can view the trailer at http://visionarydaughters.com/return-of-the-daughters.

Sunday Ponderings ~ God's Rich Mercy

Pondering this afternoon on a thought from our Sunday School class this morning, borne from Ephesians 2:4: God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ....

Mercy cannot be reduced to a simple definition. One we often hear is "not getting what we deserve." When we look at God's nature in mercy, though, we see a much broader, richer picture. We see God's inexhaustible mercy bound up in His great love. 

His love is perfect. He cannot love us any more than he does right now; neither can he love us any less--because his love is perfect. Perfect love casts out all fear.  

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. ~ I John 4:18

Perfect love casts out fear that God will love us less because of what we've done or failed to do. Because of his great love, he is rich in mercy toward us. His mercy is not merely his holding back some sort of punishment, but it is his pouring out of his perpetual mercy and oftentimes giving us what we do deserve because that is the most merciful thing to do. The consequences we must live with are very often God's messengers of mercy. 

What we often receive from God's hand is a relentless reminder of the dismal life and heartache that sin always brings. It is his love and mercy that such a continual reminder leads us to abandon that which separates us from himself. He is always wanting to rescue us--from the world, the flesh, and the devil. I think, perhaps, that the most resistant force is ourselves. I know I need most rescued from myself--my own thinking, my own ways of making things work, my own idols, my own seeking after that which is contrary to his ways.

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him,
to the soul that seeketh him.
Lamentations 3:22-24

Painting by Carlton Alfred Smith 1853-1946

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Today I reflect on simple thoughts and simple pleasures. My leads are somewhat similar to others in The Simple Woman's Daybook group, yet a bit different as well.  

A picture to share...

Isn't this a lot like spring cleaning? Little Elijah (18 mos.) has cleaned up his room.

Outside my window...
A lone robin gathering nesting materials. I've watched this single robin for several days now. He is surely one who is preparing for his approaching family! I do hope whoever becomes Mrs. Robin will be appreciative of his diligent efforts.

Noticing the sound of...

My Beloved getting dressed for the day. We're off soon to look for a new front door! And that means lunch out, too. :-)

Click here to go there

Thankful for...
God's mission of mercy, that He continues to rescue me from myself.

Looking to the ways of my household...
Mostly the quiet rhythm of routine, but in addition I brushed down doors and door frames throughout the house. They're dark wood panel doors and really show collected dust. The panel doors upstairs in the bedrooms are painted white and the dust is almost invisible, but I knew it was there. It's hard to deny when the dust goes flying!

This coming week I'm looking forward to...
attending the oldest daughter's wedding of a homeschooling family that we haven't seen for awhile. A delightful family!

Thinking...

about the house about mile from us that burned this week, reminding me how temporal our homes on earth are. Praying for the family, that God will use the circumstance to draw them to Himself.
 

From the kitchen....

Minestrone soup, chock full of vegetables, and oh, so good on a chilly day!  I usually double or triple the recipe so we can have leftovers. Soup is so much better the next day!

1 bacon strip, diced

2/3 cup sliced smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage, quartered (sometimes I leave it out)

1 small onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 cup chopped carrot

2 tbsp chopped celery

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup canned diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (5.5 oz) tomato juice

1/4 cup chopped zucchini

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp salt, optional

1/8 tsp pepper

1/3 cup canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup cooked elbow macaroni

1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

     In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towel. In the drippings, saute sausage, onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Stir in the carrot and celery. Cook and stir 2 minutes longer or until sausage is lightly browned; drain.

      Stir in the broth, tomatoes, tomato juice, zucchini, and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the beans and macaroni; heat through. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bacon.

     Yield: 2 servings     ~ from Cooking for 2 Magazine, Winter 2006

A thought from my Quiet Time....
Reading through the book of James and being reminded that the perfect result of trials that test my faith is that I may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. God’s Word tells me to consider such trials all joy. Joy?!  But how, in the midst of the difficulties and heartbreak that trials so often bring into my life, can I have fullness of joy?

By considering it joy. It starts as a willful attitude of my heart, regardless of my feelings. And that’s not to say it’s enjoyable or pleasurable or effortless or painless. It’s challenging. All commands of Scripture are. It’s not a natural response. Feelings are. But the major key to joy in my trials is how I consider it--where my thoughts go with it and about it. 

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.    ~James 1:2-4

Reflecting creativity, in His image…
Had another $10 off coupon for a fabric store, so I matched up a couple of pieces to coordinate with some fabric I already have. Sounds simple, I know, but nothing is really inconsequential.

I'm learning....
Continuing to work on the baby quilt and learning how to get points to keep their points!


Currently reading...

Almost finished the audio book, Defending Your Faith: An Introduction to Apologetics by R.C. Sproul. I've gleaned much from it, but I would like to get a hard copy and read it more closely. I listened to the book as I exercised on the treadmill and need to read more attentively, take notes, and gain more understanding. A bit to rouse your interest:

The Apologist's Task: Proof and Persuasion

Apologetics, however, does not just entail defense. It also involves offense, the positive task of constructing a case for Christianity that shows itself to be applicable to every culture, as well as being the only (and therefore the best) alternative to the world's philosophical and theological systems of thought. In other words, apologetics can be used to show that Christianity is true and that all non-Christian worldviews are false. The best way to go about constructing a case for the Christian faith is partly the concern of this book.

You may also enjoy reading what other simple women are saying and doing these days. Just click here to go to The Simple Woman's Daybook site. I'll be posting my journal on Saturdays. Do stop by again.

Having Faith~In Something

Sad Memories ~ Charles Rossiter 1854

As I've been listening to the audio book Defending Your Faith by R.C. Sproul, in which he uses rational inquiry and empirical evidence to postulate the existence of God, I often think of a young friend who gave up on her Christian faith a couple of years ago. I think of her more as her birthday is soon approaching, and wish I could take her back to the days before she was enticed away by a self-avowed atheist and declared that she no longer believes there is a God. She joined a group called Recovering from Religion, thinking that the myriad of problems she was having were caused by Christianity. Indeed, that may have been her error all along--mere religion and not a true, believing relationship with Jesus Christ, God's Son.

In Psalm 53 the psalmist says, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God,' ... God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there is anyone who understands, who seeks after God." 

My dear young friend understands so little about God. She says she is seeking truth, but she doesn't understand that God Himself is Truth. She wants to prove Him, but she is not pursuing Him, for He is not far off. If we draw near to him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).

God through the Apostle Paul tells us in Acts 17:

The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each of us; for in Him we live and move and exist.

What my friend cannot understand, she does not accept. If we could wrap our meager minds around God, he would not be any bigger than we are. She wants her faith to be "based on evidence and reasoning that accords with her experience." Oh, my friend, the foundation of our faith cannot be our experience. It's the other way around. We interpret experiences based on our faith--be that faith in God or faith in reason. One may see death as the doorway to seeing Jesus face to face; another may see death as the end of existence. The experience, death, is the same. Faith is what makes the difference in how we interpret the experience. The real problem may be as Ravi Zacharias states in his book, Has Christianity Failed You that "It is actually a will seeking a reason to support it."

In reality, authentic atheists do not exist. The definition of an atheist is "one who denies the existence of god or gods." Someone or something rules each of us. We all set our faith somewhere--in a god, whatever we believe him or it to be. An atheist's faith is in reason or in himself or in whatever he chooses to rule him. That is an atheist's god. Paradoxical, to be sure. Even more ironic is that he defines himself by what he is not--forever drawn to the God which he shuns.

Our thoughts are not God's thoughts, nor are our ways His ways (Isaiah 55:8). I pray that my young friend will understand that the emptiness in her life (and much more is ahead with each approaching birthday without God than she can fathom) can only be filled with a vibrant faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that God will continue to draw her to Himself, for we cannot come to Him unless he draws us. I pray that He will open her eyes to see how she has been caught in The Enemy's snare as he seeks those whom he may devour.

My friend has moved hundreds of miles away and broken most contact, but I will email her soon and do more planting and some watering where others may have scattered other seed. Perhaps God will be merciful and rescue her from her desperate condition.

For it is the goodness and kindness of God that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4). I pray that in His mercy, His goodness and kindness would lead her back to Himself and that she will begin her next year re-birthed in him. Oh, the love that will not let us go!

Death, A Sleep

But I would not have you be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, 

that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

Death, A Sleep

Charles H. Spurgeon

O, Let me rest! Come, night, and let me slumber! Come, my last hour! Let me bow myself upon the bed! Come, death, oh, come lightly to my couch! Ay, strike, if thou wilt: but thy stroke is the loving touch that makes my body slumber. Happy, happy, they who die!

They sleep in Jesus, and are blest;

How sweet their slumbers are!

From suffering and from sin released,

And freed from every care!

(If you'd like, you can read Spurgeon's sermon in its entirety here.)

Painting: A Golden Day Dream by Emily Mary Osborn (1828-1925)

Making Mistakes With Quilting and Children

Leisure Hours ~ Albert Thomas Jarvis Gilbert, 1927

I've been working on the next baby quilt and thinking as I go along about a brief devotional I'll be giving at this baby's shower. Thoughts keep springing to life as I'm struck by the similarities of bringing a quilt to completion and bringing a child to maturity.

Things are not progressing exactly as planned. The quilt isn't, and children don't either. My original design had to be altered because of a mistake--my mind was out in la-la land while my hands were snipping away at the fabric, and I don't have enough extra of that particular fabric. How I had it planned just isn't happening. Isn't growing children like that sometimes? At some point we come to our senses and realize we've snipped away something strategic or didn't even think about it in the first place.

So what do we do? Modify what we're doing as soon as we realize it. Some mistakes are easily adjusted. Others take much prayer and time and effort. The sooner we wake up to the mistake, though, the better the prospect for effective change--and the more harmonious and beautiful the quilt and the child.

I've made several mistakes throughout this quilt that most people will never notice. Some things don't really matter. Other things sure enough do matter. Anyone who has done much quilting knows they do. Anyone who has done much parenting knows some things matter immeasurably.

And so Titus 2 comes into focus once again--older women "teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands...."

Older women, I encourage you to help younger women, especially those who are away from their own mothers and bereft of that kindly attention. Younger women, I encourage you to turn to older women and ask them what they've done right and what they've learned in making mistakes along the way.

More quilting to be done this afternoon. Knowing myself, there will be more mistakes and adjustments made, and more thoughts for my devotional about growing up children.

So grateful for grace!

On Saying Grace

Saying Grace ~ Jean-Baptiste Chardin, 1740

You say grace before meals.

Alright.
But I say grace before the concert
and the opera,
and grace before the play
and pantomime,
and grace before I open a book,
and grace before
sketching,
painting,
swimming,
fencing,
boxing,
walking,
playing,
dancing,
and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.
~ G.K. Chesterton

Certainly a challenge to my own grace walk.

.........

Remembering Abigail Adams

Abigail Adams

Wife of John Adams, 2nd President

 Abigail at 22 years of age

On this Presidents Day, as we especially remember those presidents whose lives reverberated with faith in Jesus Christ and the founding of America on those Christian truths and principles, I think of Abigail Adams and the encouragement she was to her husband through her many letters and prayers.

Oh, that all our First Ladies would follow in like manner!

On February 8, 1797, on the occasion of his election as Second President of the United States of America, Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John:

You have this day to declare yourself head of a nation. "And now, O Lord, my God, thou hast made thy servant ruler over the people. Give unto him an understanding heart, that he may know how to go out and come in before this great people; that he may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" were the words of a royal sovereign; and not less applicable to him who is invested with the Chief Magistracy of a nation, though he wear not a crown, nor the robes of royalty.

My thoughts and my meditations are with you, though personally absent; and my petitions to Heaven are that "the things which make for peace may not be hidden from your eyes." My feelings are not those of pride or ostentation upon the occasion. They are solemnized by a sense of the obligations, the important trusts, and numerous duties connected with it. That you may be enabled to discharge them with honor to yourself, with justice and impartiality to your country, and with satisfaction to this great people, shall be the daily prayer of your

Abigail Adams

Letters of Mrs. Adams, The Wife of John Adams With an Introductory Memoir by Her Grandson, Charles Francis Adams, Volume II, 1840.

Sunday Ponderings

God knows the way through the wilderness. 

 Search me, O God, and know my heart;  

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;  

And see if there be any hurtful way in me, 

And lead me in the everlasting way. 

Psalm 139:23-24

Photo: Snow-Covered Bridge in the Woods

by Richard Nowitz

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Today I reflect on simple thoughts and simple pleasures. My leads are somewhat similar to others in The Simple Woman's Daybook group, yet a bit different as well.
 
A picture to share...
 My reminder each morning as I awaken and look across the room.

Outside my window...The daffodils have pushed out of the ground about an inch! Spring is on its way! Oh, the grandeur and glory of God's creative hand in the rhythm of the seasons!!

Noticing the sound of...

Click here to go there

Singing birds in the bright sunshine!

Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
     Praise Him in the heights!

Mountains and all hills;
         Fruit trees and all cedars;
Beasts and all cattle;
         Creeping things and winged fowl;
Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
         For His name alone is exalted;
         His glory is above earth and heaven. 

Psalm 148: 1, 9,10,11,13

Thankful for...
the oneness I have with My Beloved that both us hold very precious and that neither of us are willing to lessen for any cause.

Looking to the ways of my household...
Mostly routine goings on, but I did get the stove and microwave cleaned, also all the upholstered furniture vacuumed with some help from My Beloved. That's eleven pieces of furniture--cushions off, some brush-dusting in the tucks and crevices, and wondering where all the dust comes from! How nice to find one of Elijah's blocks from his Christmas visit under a sofa cushion and some goldfish crackers in the rocker in the room where he was rocked at night. Sweet visions of my precious growing-so-quickly-out-of-babyhood Elijah.

WV Quilt Shop Back Room

This coming week I hope to...
go to the WV Quilt Shop. It's in a charming old hardware store with wooden floors and tin ceiling, a turn of the century brick building. Michelle has a wonderful back room with table after table of wonderful sample cuts that you can purchase by the pound. I'm hoping to find some pieces that I can fussy cut and use as the center interest of some quilt blocks.

Thinking...

About my visit to my hurting friend's home this afternoon.

From the kitchen....

Apple Streusel Muffins this week. Sharing the recipe with you.

Apple Streusel Muffins
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1-1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups chopped peeled tart apples

Streusel Topping
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon cold butter

• In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• In another bowl, whisk the eggs, butter and vanilla.
• Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened (batter will be stiff).
• Fold in apples.
• Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full.

• In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
• Cut in butter until crumbly.
• Sprinkle over batter.

• Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
  Yield: 1 dozen

A thought from my Quiet Time....
Reading through Titus and instruction about relationships between older and younger women. Chapter 2, verses 3-5

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

The purpose? So that God's Word will not be dishonored. It's not about me. It's about Him.

Reflecting creativity, in His image…

This week I designed another quilt on my own in EQ6. (Our church is growing with new babies!)  I'm using some of the same safari fabric that I began using in Elijah's quilt and used some of it in the last baby quilt. Looking forward to pulling different fabrics together for this one. 

I'm learning....
that life isn't fair. Shouldn't I already know that?! I do, but it's accepting it and being content with it that I struggle. I'm realizing more and more that God wants me to ask Him for His grace to live with unfairness and be content in how He is allowing my life to unfold. His grace is sufficient, if I will seek it. I'm doing that more.

Currently reading...

Still reading and pondering Has Christianity Failed You by Ravi Zacharias. A snippet to share today: 

The decisions we make during the throes of wrenching emotion sometimes have great ramifications. Thus, skeptics often cavalierly charge that those who believe in God only do so out of psychological need or emotional fear. How easy it is for them to choose to ignore the fact that many skeptics are skeptical about God for the equally distorting psychological reasons of hurt, pride, or just plain self-aggrandizement.

You may also enjoy reading what other simple women are saying and doing these days. Just click here to go to The Simple Woman's Daybook site. I'll be posting my journal on Saturdays. Do stop by again.

What We Value May Not Be Valuable

I just had to get out into the beauty and warmth of the sunshine yesterday--71 degrees in mid-February! So after finishing the morning's routine, I went out to lunch with My Beloved and then stopped in an antiques shop after dropping him at the church for a brief meeting.

I enjoy browsing through antiques, although I'm not much of a buyer. I mostly like to look and spot an I-used-to-have-one-of-those and reminisce a bit. Actually, though, yesterday I was on a search for vintage jewelry. Not that I care much for vintage jewelry, either, but I have hopes of making some quilted handbags and using it as a bit of added interest. Although most of the pieces I was looking at were a bit pricey for me, I did find a couple of things that fit my interest and purse.

One vendor lady told me she had about 4,000 pieces of jewelry! Most of it was at her home since she didn't have enough room for it in the case. I thought that if she'd lower her prices, she could sell a lot more of it. She says she loves jewelry, and I guess she priced it with that value in mind.

It brought to mind that we all value something. The vendor lady values vintage jewelry. God values a gentle and quiet spirit..."the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God" (I Peter 3:4). Such a spirit is not easily gained in our current culture. Everywhere we go there's noise to distract us from any stillness of spirit. Seldom can we go into a store or restaurant without having music or TV screaming values contrary to God's. It requires diligence to remove as much noise as we can and to provide times of quiet contemplation. Our spirits are often disquieted because we surround ourselves with the antithesis of that which will quiet our souls. What we learn to value may or may not be valuable at all.

Picture: Some of my recent vintage jewelry finds

Happy Day, Baby Sister

Yours Truly and My Sisters, Easter 1967

My sisters (and brother) and I are hundreds of miles apart. I often think about how strange it is that many people who spend every day of their lives together growing up are suddenly scattered when they marry. I know many siblings who aren't and who still enjoy the togetherness of family and being involved in each others' lives. If you are one of those, you are truly blessed. 

Recently was my baby sister's birthday. She now has six children and seven grandchildren, who all live near her. She is one of the blessed ones. 

Happy day, dear Sis! I'm sure it was filled with warm hugs and kiddy kisses and lots of love.

Titus 2: Transcending Time and Culture

If you want some down-to-earth, practical, Biblical guidance on living your life according to God’s beautiful design for women, put Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother by Carolyn Mahaney high on your reading list this spring. It’s the best book I’ve read on Titus 2. We used it in our Women's Sunday School class for six months, and we probably could have gone longer—it’s so rich in biblical truth.

The basis of the book is about the transforming power of the gospel to change us, our marriages, our families, and our personal ministries. Carolyn discusses the virtues of Titus 2 that we are to encourage in the lives of younger women. But she doesn’t leave them as lofty ideals; she hits on the challenges we face in living them out and offers sound counsel to nurture us along the way.

One of our assignments each week in our SS class was to mark statements that we thought were particularly meaningful to us. I could have highlighted most of the book—it was that good! But to choose one to share with you today would be a statement Carolyn makes early-on in the first chapter. She writes: “The commands found in Titus 2 have been given to us for an all-important reason that transcends time and culture. That reason is the gospel of Jesus Christ. These virtues are not about our personal fulfillment or individual preference. They are required for the sake of unbelievers—so that those who are lost might come to know our Savior.” As Titus 2:5 exhorts us--so the Word of God will not be dishonored.

This is a great devotional read when you can set aside a few minutes each day to ponder its pages and ask God to transform your life, your marriage, your family, and your personal ministry.

Finished the Quilt

I finished the baby quilt with a safari theme. I've included some pictures as it progressed. You can see the detail of the fabric better below.

Choosing fabrics

Main blocks

Sashing and borders added

Sandwiched and pinned

Hanging on the wall to decide on a quilting design

The Greatness of His Loving Heart

 Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting
by Jean S. Pigott, 1876

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

Painting ~ Contemplations by Henry John King

Sunday Ponderings

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence. 

~ 2 Peter 1:2-3

I want to share a bit more of what I'm learning from God is More Than Enough by Jim Berg. As I said before, I think this may well be my most significant read for 2011. I'm coming to see that part of my discouragement is borne out of unbelief. That was very much a surprise to me. Not that I don't believe in God or believe that he is majestic and good and great and merciful and full of lovingkindness and..... I truly and most certainly do, and my hope of eternal life rests in Jesus Christ His Son. But, rather, that I haven't believed him in all that he has said. What's this?

Berg walks us through some critical thinking. As he says, we need to track our thoughts and not our feelings.

Truth is that which corresponds to reality. 

Much of what we think about God is not anchored in reality.

Nothing can be true and untrue at the same time. 

It cannot be true that God cares about us and also not true that he cares about us.

A belief is what we accept to be true. 

The more we are grounded in reality, the more stable we are. 

The more we are grounded in fantasy,
(that which does not correspond to the reality of what God has said), 

the more unstable we are.

Unbelief is rejecting what God says is true.

While I would not have said that I "reject" what God has said as true, I'm beginning to understand that functionally I often do. I say one thing, but often feel another. Again, I need to track my thoughts and not my feelings.

As Berg says, "Unbelief--rejecting what God says is true--is problematic for two reasons. First and most seriously, rejecting the truth about God...dishonors Him (Rom. 1:21, 25). It treats God as if He is a liar and is not truthful about what He has said about Himself and about the way life works in the world He created. This is a horrible offense against God.

"Secondly, rejecting the truth about God begins the process of your own disintegration (Rom 1:21-32). A person who insists on living in a fantasy world that does not correspond to reality will encounter many bumps on the road and will have no idea why life is so difficult."

The source of a disquieted soul is unbelief.
The solution is knowledge of Who God is.

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:2).

Truths about God.

God is always good.

He will always forgive my sin.

He is always up to something good in my life.

He will always love me personally.

He will always give me the grace I need.

He is always in control of all things.

He is always present with me.

He is always the same.

He is always trustworthy.

He is always wise in what he does.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? 

and why art thou disquieted within me?  

hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, 

who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 42:11

Painting:Young Italian at the Well ~ Frances Xaver Winterhalter

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Today I reflect on simple thoughts and simple pleasures. My leads are somewhat similar to others in The Simple Woman's Daybook group, yet a bit different as well.
 
 A picture to share... 

Americana on the kitchen mantle

Happy Birthday, Abraham Lincoln 

Click here to go there

Outside my window...
A cat slinking around the house on the way to the bird feeders. Opened the window and shooed it away.

Noticing the sound of...

Simmering soup

Thankful for...

Daughters and sons-in-law who want us to visit them.

Looking to the ways of my household...

The quiet rhythm of routine this week 

This coming week I hope to... 

finish the baby quilt and get to see my hurting friend again. We share quilting as a common interest, so it's an opportunity to stop in and see her.

Thinking...

Today is Abraham Lincoln's birthday. I wonder why he didn't free the slaves in the northern states with the Emancipation Proclamation.

From the kitchen....

Macaroni Bean Soup. Another new recipe. Not sure if it's a keeper since I didn't have yellow squash to put in it and substituted with corn. It also calls for a teaspoon of lemon juice. Somehow that doesn't sound much like a soup ingredient to me. Left it out.

A thought from my Quiet Time.... 

I've been thinking on Ephesians 5:15 throughout the week--Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. We are given only 24 hours in a day. It's the wise woman who makes the most of the time that she has. I want to understand the will of the Lord as He guides through my days to use my time in ways that have eternal value in view.

Reflecting creativity, in His image…

I (sort of) designed a quilt in EQ6 this week. One more week of class. I wonder if the teacher will show us how to actually get it from the computer to fabric.

I'm learning....

that I have a tendency toward unbelief. I'll be posting more about that in a day or so.

Currently reading...

In God We Still Trust by Dr. Richard G. Lee

This is a booklet that is informative as well as inspirational. It has quotes and such from great Americans throughout history that tell of the Christian foundations of our country. An excerpt from Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation Appointing A National Fast Day:

"And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord."

You may also enjoy reading what other simple women are saying and doing these days. Just click here to go to The Simple Woman's Daybook site. I'll be posting my journal on Saturdays. Do stop by again.

Something Good in Every Day

Painting~Victorian Kitchen by Kay Lamb Shannon

Today is filled with many good things for which I am thankful:

Quiet Time

Thankful for God's Word where He shows me Himself.

Exercise

Thankful that my body parts can move freely.

Friday Cleaning

Thankful for a warm home to keep clean and the satisfaction in doing so.

Quilting

Thankful for the new little creation God sent that I'm sewing for.

Baking a Cake

Thankful for the group My Beloved will be sharing it with this evening.

Sharing

Thankful for those who thankfully and humbly receive, 

for if we reluctantly receive, how can others receive a blessing for giving?

My Beloved

Thankful that he enjoys being with me.

Dinner
Thankful for food to cook and quiet conversation.

Evening viewing of Quieting a Noisy Soul DVD

Thankful for people who share their wisdom through books and such.

Sharing the recipe with you. This is such an easy cake to make and filled with lots of wholesome goodness like nuts, oats, applesauce and cinnamon. I've made it many, many times over the years. It's from Pillsbury's Simply from Scratch Recipes, Vol. 3, 1981--back when the booklet cost only $1.98!

Cinnamon Crown Cake

3 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 cup milk
3 eggs
3 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup applesauce

Heat oven to 350*. Generously grease (not oil) and flour 12-cup fluted tube pan. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In large bowl. combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, margarine, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed. Spoon half of batter into prepared pan.

Stir nuts, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and applesauce into other half of batter; spoon over batter in pan.

Bake at 350*F for 55-60 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool upright in pan 30 minutes; invert onto serving plate.

Sunlight in the Spirit

Morning Sunlight Through My Bedroom Window

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you,
that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5

Isn't it amazing what sunshine does to the spirit? I can't even imagine what it might be like in heaven with the light of God's glory shining all the time!

I missed part of the early morning light this morning, though. One of the shades in the front bedroom broke, so we replaced the shades yesterday with blinds and moved the shade from the other window to our bedroom since one of our shades had torn. I had intended to get up a little earlier this morning since I have a class to teach this afternoon and wanted to get as much into the morning as possible. I usually just wake up at about the same time each morning, but when My Beloved awoke me this morning, however, it was an hour later than I'd planned. The shade we put in our bedroom was room-darkening. Ugh! There's not much worse to me than a room-darkening shade in my bedroom. I love to awaken to morning sunlight, and the glistening dusting of snow put an extra spring in my bounce this morning--which I needed to get exercises taken care of. I need all the motivation I can to tend to that part of my morning.

So exercises are done, and it's time to get ready for an afternoon jaunt out into this wonderful sunshine! I do hope your day and spirit are bright with heavenly sunlight!

 I am learning more each day the truths of this hymn:

Heavenly Sunlight

Henry Zelley, 1899

Walking in sunlight all of my journey;

Over the mountains, through the deep vale;

Jesus has said, "I'll never forsake thee,"

Promise divine that never can fail.

Shadows around me, shadows above me,

Never conceal my Savior and Guide;

He is the Light, in Him is no darkness;

Ever I'm walking close by His side.

Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,

Flooding my soul with glory divine:

Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,

Singing His praises, Jesus is mine!