August in the Book Nook

I've been working on a bulletin insert today for the Book Nook at church. Thought I'd share some brief highlights with you.

Changed Into His Image

Jim Berg helps us see ourselves as we are, the first step in biblical change. This is practical help on how transforming the mind can change our sinful disposition. Not just any change, but biblical change into the image of Christ. This is not change that we can make on our own, but change that God does hold us responsible to make. It’s about thinking correctly, about heart change.

Joyfully at Home: A Book for Young Ladies on Vision and Hope

Twenty-year-old Jasmine Baucham writes, “I want to encourage young women to shift their focus, to turn their hearts towards the home, to be enthusiastic and vibrant, purposeful and driven, meticulous and passionately focused….I want them to grasp the bigger picture: A vision for the home as hub of ministry and discipleship, as training ground for life ahead, as a place where they can bless those nearest and dearest to them, and as a result, turn that blessing outward toward others in their church and community.”

 

 

Sacred Marriage

Gary Thomas asks, “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?”  This is not a book that tells us how to manipulate our words and actions so we can ultimately get what we want out of marriage. It’s a book that provides a biblical basis for how our marriage can help us know God, our spouse, and ourselves in ways that are sanctifying and, ultimately, satisfying.  

 

Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts It’s hardest to trust God when life hurts. Jerry Bridges shows us God’s sovereignty—that He is working all things for His glory and for our good, in tandem.  Always. Not only is He sovereign, but He is wise and loving. "Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold on the promises of God and cling to them despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelms us."

Bible Believing or Biblically Functioning?

I've been reading more of Joyfully at Home by Jasmine Baucham and noticing a phrase she uses throughout the book--"a biblically functioning church." It has arrested my attention. I think this is an important distinction that she's making. Many of us would be familiar with the distinction made of a Bible believing church and the reasons for that distinction. We hear the phrase over and over again. I think Jasmine has touched on a major weakness in many Bible believing churches, though, and that is that many are not biblically functioning churches.

In the chapter I'm reading today, Jasmine is answering some questions that she's been asked about her desire to be a stay-at-home daughter and a stay-at-home wife, should she later marry. Questions such as:

"What if your father or husband dies, or they are unable to provide for you because of an injury or illness?"

Her answer: What if the local church took its duty towards widows and orphans seriously? 

While wills, life insurance policies, and detailed plans are all important measures that a father can use to ensure that their families are well cared for (and I have nothing against these methods, and know personally the security that they provide) (1 Timothy 5:8), so many of us miss out on the security that the Body of Christ should afford us.

The Church has a real responsibility towards widows and orphans, so much so that this responsibility is outlined by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 5. Have you ever taken a good, long look at that passage? Have you ever been in a church that has encouraged you to do so?

One of the biggest provisions that a father can make for his family is to get them to a doctrinally sound, biblically functioning church with a strong sense of community.

A biblically functioning church.

I think part of the problem is that we look at New Testament passages about the church and say, "How do we apply this to our church? Oh, we can't do this or that. It won't work in the here and now." Instead, we should be asking, "How can we change our church to follow the patterns laid out for us in the New Testament church?" Huge difference.

A biblically functioning church. Are you in one? Are you sure? Don't be too quick with your answer just yet. I'm not talking about finding Bible verses to pin on our practice. It's the other way round, as C.S. Lewis might put it. This week as you read and study your Bible (you won't know if you are if you don't), particularly about the New Testament church, ask yourself--"Is our church functioning like this? Am I, as a follower of Jesus Christ (if you are), actually living my life like this?" I'm seriously thinking about these questions myself.

A biblically functioning church. An important distinction from the pen of 20-year-old Jasmine.

Jasmine's dad, Voddie Baucham, has written Family-Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes To Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk With God.  Voddie is a pastor of preaching at their church in Houston, Texas. Jasmine invites us to visit their biblically functioning church sometime. I have some friends who drove hundreds of miles to do so, and it began to change their lives. One of the changes was their church shortly after they returned. It's like Jasmine says, "One of the biggest provisions that a father can make for his family........"

The Simple Woman's Daybook

On Saturdays 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.


Outside my window...
All is dark. It's time for bed. Thought I'd blog a bit first.

Noticing the sound of... 
My Beloved highlighting his notes for Sunday School class in the morning.

This coming week I'm (not) looking forward to...
Having My Beloved called for jury duty.

Thinking...
That it's the nature of mankind to do wrong. We are not basically good. That's why we need a Savior to rescue us. I do hope you know that. If not, you can learn more here.

Thankful...
For a nice cozy bed to crawl into in a few minutes.

A thought from my Quiet Time...

From Luke 18, the parable of the widow who persisted in her request to the judge.

Verse 1--Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart.

There's an inverse correlation between frequent praying and losing heart. I must remember that.

Learning...
That correlation, albeit ever-so-slowly.


Pictures to Share

From the sewing room...
Finished the baby quilt for a new little baby girl in our church named Adelynn. I've called it Adelynn's Garden. Here's a picture of the quilt spread on a table. (The white area is morning sunlight streaming into the back porch.) Do you see the flower beds and the boxwoods on the quilt, and the pink pathway through the garden?

From the garden...  
The hydrangeas are beautiful this year! I cut some for a friend this week.

Around the house...
My Beloved put lattice work around the back porch this week, just finished it today, and made it look ever-so-nice. It's plastic, so it won't require much maintenance at all. Now to put in a just few more flowers!

From the kitchen...
Sharing the recipe for Skillet Supper that we had yesterday. Leftovers are good for breakfast! This recipe serves 4.

Prepare the following:
3 peeled and thinly sliced potatoes
1/2 cup green onions
1/2 cup green peppers
2 cups diced, cooked ham

Melt 1.5 tbsp butter or margarine in skillet on medium heat. Layer half of the above ingredients. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.  Layer with remaining ingredients. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Slightly beat 3 eggs and pour over cooked mixture. Cover and cook another 15-17 minutes or until eggs are set.

Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (I substitute with mozzarella), cover and cook until melted.

Currently reading...

Still reading Joyfully at Home: A Book for Young Ladies of Vision and Hope by Jasmine Baucham. Considering it for our church Book Nook. It's a book I wish I could give to all single, young women. 20-year-old Jasmine writes,

Be joyful. Not because I said so, but because you know [God]. Not because you want to look good to the outside world, but because you're living for him. Not because it's "what you're supposed to do," but because he gives you all the reason you need to live life abundantly. Not for any reason other than because it's what He's called you to do. 

And remember, as you strive to live joyfully at home, the key to serving in that sphere: Philippians 2:1-11. Live it. 

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves ; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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.

Pictures to Share
Our little Elijah's visit over Independence Day. Sure do miss you, little fella.

Outside my window...
Birds out for an evening snack as I sit on the back porch.

Noticing the sound of... 
Chirping birds greeting one another. 

From the garden... 
Got our first ripe tomatoes from the vine this week. We bought just one plant and put it in a pot by the back porch. Nothing like fresh home grown tomatoes!
 
Around the house...
Getting accustomed to the quiet again after having loved ones around for a couple of days.

From the kitchen...
Made a pasta salad for a church dinner tomorrow. Sharing the recipe.

Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad
1 box Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad ranch  bacon pasta salad mix
1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 tbsp Dion mustard
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup sliced celery
3 hard-boiled eggs, coarsely chopped
Paprika for garnishing, if desired

Cook pasta-vegetable pouch as directed on package.
Drain. Rinse with cold water. Drain well.
In large bowl stir together: seasoning mix, mayo, mustard, onion, and celery.
Stir in pasta and chopped eggs until evenly coated.
Garnish with paprika, if desired.
Serves 8-10 people.


From the sewing room...
Finished piecing and quilting the baby quilt for a new little baby girl in our church. Just need to add the binding. Will share a picture when it's finished.

Learning...
To machine quilt; did a different design (for me) on the baby quilt.

This coming week I'm looking forward to...
Nothing in particular

Thinking...
Trying not to think about how much we miss being involved in little Elijah's life.

Thankful...
For the non-malignant result on a long-time friend's biopsy. We were out to lunch yesterday and stopped at the hospital to pick up the report. Praise God from whom all blessing flow!

A thought from my Quiet Time...

Been reading through the gospels, in Luke 13 today where Jesus encounters the Pharisees' opposition to His healing on the Sabbath. Got me to thinking about a day of rest and did some further study about that. As Jesus said, man wasn't made for the Sabbath, but rather the Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27). John MacArthur has some interesting comments about the seventh day of creation when "God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because in it He rested from all His work which God created and made." MacArthur says that the significance of the 7th day as being set apart is for us to remember that God created everything in the first six days. It's a memorial of sorts. I found MacArthur's discussion of the passage very interesting. If you'd like to read "The Rest of Creation," you'll find it here.

Currently reading...

Just beginning to read Joyfully at Home: A Book for Young Ladies of Vision and Hope by Jasmine Baucham, Voddie Baucham's daughter. Considering it for our church Book Nook. Jasmine challenges young single women to continue living at home and to be developed by the active ministry they have there. Jasmine writes,

I want to encourage young women to shift their focus, to turn their hearts towards the home, to be enthusiastic and vibrant, purposeful and driven, meticulous and passionately focused in pursuit of the Lord's will for their time at home. I want them to grasp the bigger picture: A vision for the home as a hub of ministry and discipleship, as a training ground for life ahead, as a place where they can bless those nearest and dearest to them, and, as a result, turn that blessing outward towards others in their church and community.