The Divisive Tongue

Today's reading from 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues is reflective of a current situation close to my heart........

Sometimes it is hard to believe there are people who deliberately engage in bringing dissension. The sixth chapter of Proverbs lists seven things that the Lord detests; among them is "a man who stirs up dissension among brothers" (verse 19). In Ephesians 4:3, Paul urges believers to keep the "unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Obviously, he knew that keeping peace required tremendous effort.

Have you used your tongue to sow discord? Know that anytime you tell another person something negative that someone else has said about him, your action will probably cause division. This is not to say that you should avoid warning a person about another who is not acting in his best interests. However, you must be honest about your underlying motive. You may be trying to gain that person's favor by appearing loyal enough to expose the bad guy, or you may be indirectly communicating your own feelings about the person at the expense of another. Whatever your rationale, the result is still the same--a relationship will be damaged and God will be displeased. As you recall the last time you used your tongue as a tool of divisiveness, consider what excuse you used for doing so. Are you ready to repent for this sin?

Not only are we to refrain from causing division, we must also become active agents of peace, using our best efforts to reconcile parties in conflict. Thankful for those who do so.

 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. 

Matthew 5:9 

Painting ~ Recalling the Past 1888, Carlton Alfred Smith 1853-1946
Wikimedia Commons public domain

Introverts in Evangelical America

via pixabay

I often see parents rather embarrassed that their children are not as outgoing as they'd like for them to be. They offer comments as to their shyness, being backward, or being timid and push or pull them forward to participate in whatever is going on. These children often grow into adulthood feeling inadequate in social settings because the way God made them is not acceptable in our American culture.

As Adam McHugh, pastor/introvert and author of the book Introverts in the Church says, "Introverts are usually defined by what we're not rather than by what we are." I came across an article yesterday by McHugh and thought I'd share just a bit of it with you today. He has some thoughts worth pondering for and about the 50% of Americans whom he says studies have shown to be introverted. For those who are, take heart. For those who aren't and have children who are, take note.  He writes...

But the truth is that we [introverts] are people who are energized in solitude, rather than among people. We may be comfortable and articulate in social situations and we may enjoy people, but our time in the outer worlds drains us and we must retreat into solitude to be recharged. We also process silently before we speak, rather than speaking in order to think, as extroverts do. We generally listen a little more than we talk, observe for a while before we engage, and have a rich inner life that brings us great stimulation and satisfaction. Neurological studies have demonstrated that our brains naturally have more activity and blood flow, and thus we need less external stimulation in order to thrive.

Mainstream American culture values gregarious, aggressive people who are skilled in networking and who can quickly turn strangers into friends. Often we identify leaders as those people who speak up the most and the fastest, whether or not their ideas are the best.

Even more dangerous is the tendency of evangelical churches to unintentionally exalt extroverted qualities as the "ideals" of faithfulness. Too often "ideal" Christians are social and gregarious, with an overt passion and enthusiasm. They find it easy to share the gospel with strangers, eagerly invite people into their homes, participate in a wide variety of activities, and quickly assume leadership responsibilities. Those are wonderful qualities, and our churches suffer when we don't have those sorts of people, but if these qualities epitomize the Christian life, many of us introverts are left feeling excluded and spiritually inadequate. Or we wear ourselves out from constantly masquerading as extroverts.

~ Adam McHugh, author of Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture

Excerpted from an article that first appeared in the Washington Post, September 10, 2010

Image ~ via pixabay
CC0 Creative Commons

On Gardening

Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint,

and the soil and sky as canvas.

~Elizabeth Murray

Painting ~ Tending the Garden, Theophile Emmanuel Duverger 1821-1901

Wikigallery public domain

Forgiveness: Better Instead of Bitter

 Our pastor spoke on forgiveness yesterday, and it reminded me of a book I'd read many years ago--Forgiveness: The Power and the Puzzles by Wendell E. Miller. Our pastor shared an experience that drove him to the Scriptures several years ago, searching out what God intends in forgiveness. I was reminded of my own experience several years ago that had the same effect on me. I read several books on the subject as well, and the one by Miller unlocked the "puzzle" of forgiveness for me in a way that freed me from a great burden.

The key point for me was understanding the difference between judicial forgiveness and fellowship forgiveness. Judicially, we release someone from the penalty of his sin. We release that to God for whatever He may do with it. Fellowship forgiveness requires repentance from the person so our fellowship can be restored. The offender may never ask forgiveness, and fellowship may never be restored. That's not to say that we don't speak to one another, but that his offense is still between us, lacking repentance, confession, and fellowship forgiveness. However, the burden of our heart can be lifted because of judicial forgiveness, and as our pastor pointed out, we get better instead of bitter.

As Wendell Miller says, the difference between these two kinds of forgiveness can be considered as the difference between God's "courtroom" and His "living room."

The Simple Woman's Daybook

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

Sharing a Picture

On our anniversary a few days ago, we took a trip to a lodge in the mountains of West Virginia. As we topped the mountain near Thomas, we came upon these wind turbines. They spread for miles along the mountaintop. They're much taller than they appear--over 300 feet tall. 

As we travel on I-65 through Indiana on our way to Chicago, there are hundreds of them row upon row, mile after mile throughout the cornfields.

Controversial, to be sure, for those who believe they blight the landscape. I tend toward that thought, preferring natural beauty. But, then, I tend toward thinking tatooes blot the landscape of natural beauty as well.

Outside my window... 
A little bunny rabbit nibbling on the clover. Plenty of yummies in the yard, so please stay away from my flowers, little bunny!

Noticing the sound of...

Cawing crows. We thought at first it was the neighbor's grandsons blowing kazoos.

From the gardens... 
We finally decided what to do with a small area by the garage where we had a cherry tree cut down a few years ago. Can't plant much there because of the roots, so we moved some fountain grass, mounded some soil around it, and planted a few shallow annuals. Turned out rather nice looking.

Around the house...
My Beloved is working some more on an upstairs bath. Hoping to get the floor finished before Elizabeth and her family come to visit next week.

From the kitchen...
Thought about making a pie to take to a pie social at church tomorrow. Opted to buy an apple caramel walnut pie from Honeybaked Ham while we were there for lunch today. I'm sure this will be much more appreciated than my feeble attempt at making a pie.

From the sewing room...
More strip quilting practice. It's getting easier! Now I'm into log cabin blocks. Making a baby girl quilt for a new little addition to our church a couple of weeks ago.

Learning...
To measure and trim quilt blocks as I go so they'll end up the same size.

This coming week I'm looking forward to...

Having little Elijah come for a brief visit. Oh, yes--his mommy and daddy, too!

Thinking...       

About yesterday's phone conversation with a homeschooling friend from the past. Her daughter graduated a year early, a blessed occasion for this family. Probably more of a milestone than for most us--the mom was not expected to live through May. Mom and daughter worked diligently to get the schooling finished first. They made it. Now they're considering college. To God be the glory. Great things He has done!

Thankful...    

That my mother's CT scan showed no growth of a spot that has been there through a couple of scans. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights.
 

A thought from my Quiet Time...
I've been reading through the gospels in my chronological Bible, and my attention has been arrested  over and again that after healing a variety of people, Jesus tells them not to tell anyone. Then off they go and tell everyone they know. I find this curious. Instant disobedience. Even more curious to me, though, is why Jesus told them not to tell.
 

Currently reading...

Almost finished with Decision-Making and the Will of God by Garry Friesen. It's not a quick read. Much food for thought. Sharing a bit with you today.

God sovereignly superintends every circumstance showing that He cares personally for every detail and decision in your life (Luke 12:6-7). So, on the positive side, sovereign guidance should give a calm sense of security and peace that God is working all the details together for good. He helps us make choices that are moral and wise. And when circumstances are beyond our knowledge or control, we can confidently place them in His hands, knowing that they are under His control.

[I]n noncommanded decisions made with God-given freedom, the goal of the believer is to choose the alternative that will best expedite and promote the revealed will and purposes of God. To accomplish that objective, we should seek for wisdom through the channels God has provided: prayer, Bible study, research, counselors, past experience, and personal reflection. The amount of time and energy invested in such a search should be in proportion to the importance of the decision (Eph. 5:15-16). If one option is recognized as the most spiritually advantageous, it should be chosen. If two alternatives appear equally prudent, either may be selected. 

We should be able to explain and defend our final decision on the basis of moral guidance ("God Word says...") and wisdom guidance ("It seemed best..."). The decision should be in harmony with the moral will of God in all its details. Then the decision maker should demonstrate that the decision is spiritually advantageous for promoting God's moral will.

The Morphing of A Desire

 One of my pleasures in life is spending time on my screened-in back porch. Some days I have to remind myself that there are other things in life to do and pull myself away. When the season allows, I love to go out early of the morning for my quiet time and watch the sun break over the hill. I enjoy serving meals there whenever we can, and it’s a wonderful place for quiet chats and talking into the night. Well, you get the idea!

I’m very thankful for my back porch, partly because I enjoy it so much and partly because God used it to change my heart. You see, I’ve wanted a back porch for years and years and years. It started out as a good desire, but became something that controlled me. God used a counseling class that I took about a few years ago to teach me something about myself. One of the papers that I had to write was a response to a reading assignment by Paul David Tripp on how a desire can become an idol of the heart. Let’s pick up here with my response paper—

One of the concepts that particularly struck me in this reading was the morphing of a good desire into something that controls me. The desire itself can be positive, something that could be a blessing if it stayed simply as a desire and didn’t become an idol. As I look back at it now, I see this downward progression in a simple desire to have a back porch.

I think porches are calming and offer brief respites in the midst of the tasks of the day. We have a deck, but a porch would be different. A porch has a roof, so I could go there whether it was sunny or rainy. I dislike dragging out a chair cushion for a few moments of rest and cranking up the umbrella to get out of the sun, so I don’t use our deck very much. With a porch I would simply take a few minutes to rest, watch the birds, maybe read a chapter or two of a good book, and breathe in the fresh air.

I’ve seen this desire for a porch morph over the past several years into a controlling desire. Tripp says that the next step is demand, followed by need. However, with my porch it seems to me that I first viewed it as a need before I began to demand it. I needed it for times of tranquil rest. I needed it so I could go outside and be out of the sun without a lot of rigmarole. I needed it so I could invite people to come and sit for a spell and we could have a good chat. Once I convinced myself that I needed that porch, I tried to convince my husband that I needed it. The demanding came in the form of ‘You must help me get what I think I need.’ Because I know he loves me and wants to provide what he can for my perceived needs, I soon began to expect him to jot this little need in his planner and set aside time to tend to it. But it seemed to me that he was giving half-hearted attention to it. Time and again I would bring up the need for a porch, and I soon realized that I probably was not going to get it. There were various and sundry reasons given for not getting a porch—how to attach it to the house, the slope of the roof, the cost, the time to personally build it.

My expectation was not being realized, and I began to equate my husband’s resistance to getting me a porch with poor character qualities on his part. Even though I didn’t express this to him, I began to feel sorry for myself that I didn’t have a porch because of my husband’s self-centeredness and lack of ambition. And so disappointment set in when year after year I didn’t get my porch. To my shame, a big disappointment was his birthday gift to me this summer—a screened canvas gazebo to sit on the deck. I felt like it was his way of saying that was as close as I was going to get to having a porch, and my heart rebelled! I kept my thoughts about it to myself as he happily installed it on the deck. It didn’t even match the house, and I was wallowing deep in self-pity. As Tripp says, disappointment leads to some form of punishment. I didn’t thank my dear husband for his gift. I didn’t even sit in it for several days. Even though I didn’t express my attitude to him, I was angry because he substituted what I desired for something I felt was easier for him.

God began to show me the sinfulness of my heart. I was the one who was self-centered with an ungrateful heart. My husband had done what he could to give me what I wanted. I asked God’s forgiveness for my attitude, and He gave me a grateful heart. I began to show my husband that I enjoyed our little gazebo and appreciated the gift. We have Saturday breakfast there and often sit there together after he gets home from a day’s work. We enjoy watching the birds come up close that don’t even seem to notice us behind the screen. I do some of my reading there in the cool of the morning or the quiet of the afternoon.

I don’t even want a porch now. I’m satisfied with the little screened gazebo sitting on the deck because I see the loving heart of my husband in desiring to give me something he knew I wanted. I now see that the porch had become an idol, morphing from a simple desire to controlling my heart.

Ezekiel 14:2 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity."

Now the deck and the little gazebo are gone. Two autumns ago Mike had my back porch built. I believe God in His goodness had kept a good thing from me to work a better thing in my heart. He often withholds something good to give something better. And then in His abundant grace He gave me my porch as well. 

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; 

The LORD gives grace and glory; 

No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 

~ Psalm 84:11

Friendship

He is your friend who pushes you nearer to God.
~Abraham Kuyper

Painting ~ Confidences 1878, Pierre Auguste Renoir 1841-1919

via Wikimedia Commons public domain

Strengthening That Which Remains

A friend and I are getting together this morning for a walk in the cemetery. Meeting in front of the mausoleum. A sepulcher. It's beautiful marble on the outside.

Inside it's full of dead bodies. That's what Jesus called the Pharisees. Whited sepulchers. Marbled mausoleums. Outwardly beautiful. Inwardly unclean. Outwardly righteous. Inwardly not.

It's easy to be like a Pharisee, to clean up the outward and neglect the inward. I like to make lists. It keeps me on track and gives me a sense of accomplishment when I see the check marks tally up. It's too much of a tendency to transfer this to the spiritual. I can check off the outward: right words, right actions, right place at the right time. The inward requires more. It's a matter of the heart.

I want my heart to be in tune with God. "How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart" (Ps. 119:1-2). I have a longing to know God. One of the ways I learn to know him is by responding to Him through His Word each day.

Another way is going to church and listening to our pastor teach God's Word. We're in a series on the Seven Churches in Revelation, and not long ago he talked about the church at Sardis, which had no commendation given to them. I've been thinking about that.

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: ...I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die..." (Rev. 3:1-2).

I don't want a name, a reputation. I want Christ-like transformation in my life. I want to know God. I've been reading Knowing God Through the Year by J.I. Packer. I especially like through-the-year books that I can jump into anytime and ponder day by day. One of the readings is "Law and Love," based on Psalm 119:97, 10, 125.

"Oh, how I love your law! How sweet are your words to my taste!... Give me discernment that I may understand your statutes."

Packer begins with these questions: "Do not all children of God long, with the psalmist, to know just as much about our heavenly Father as we can learn? Is not the fact that we have received a love for this truth one proof that we have been born again? And is it not right that we should seek to satisfy this God-given desire to the full?"

Knowing God through His Word--so that my heart might respond to it and my life be transformed by the renewing of my mind. And so I strengthen that which remains to be strengthened.

Walking with my friend today. Walking with my God today and tomorrow....and into eternity.

Image ~ Cemetery, by Stockvault
via Freepik

Why Do We Do What We Do?

Sharing a book recommendation with you from my daughter Elizabeth.

I have begun working with a new counselee, and have therefore been spending a lot of time contemplating, "why do we do what we do?" Counselees struggle with a plethora of issues, but I cannot be satisfied simply picking one of their problem areas (i.e., depression, eating disorders, marital strife, anger) and helping them change in that area. No, there is something at the root of all these problems - something that explains why they are where they are, or in other words, who or what controls them. I must seek to uncover these root issues, these "functional gods," or these "idols of the heart" if I am to direct the counselee to lasting change. Anything short of this will be temporary and self-directed.

One resource I regularly return to when helping counselees discern the issues of their heart is Elyse Fitzpatrick's Idols of the Heart. This is an excellent book, not only for explaining what our idols tend to be, but in helping the reader walk through her own issues in a very practical way.

When Friends Turn to Foes

For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, Then I could bear it; Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my familiar friend; We who had sweet fellowship together Walked in the house of God in the throng... as for me, I shall call upon God. ~ Psalm 55:12-15

There are those I know who need this encouraging word from Charles H. Spurgeon ~

We took sweet counsel together. It was not merely the counsel which men take together in public or upon common themes, their fellowship had been tender and confidential. The traitor had been treated lovingly, and trusted much. Solace, mutual and cheering, had grown out of their intimate communings. There were secrets between them of no common kind. Soul had been in converse with soul, at least on David’s part. However feigned might have been the affection of the treacherous one, the betrayed friend had not dealt with him coldly, or guarded his utterance before him. Shame on the wretch who could belie such fellowship, and betray such confidence!

As for me, I will call upon God. The psalmist would not endeavour to meet the plots of his adversaries by counterplots, or imitate their incessant violence, but in direct opposition to their godless behaviour would continually resort to his God. Thus Jesus did, and it has been the wisdom of all believers to do the same. As this exemplifies the contrast of their character, so it will foretell the contrast of their end—the righteous shall ascend to their God, the wicked shall sink to ruin. And the Lord shall save me. Jehovah will fulfil my desire, and glorify himself in my deliverance. The psalmist is quite sure. He knows that he will pray, and is equally clear that he will be heard.

~ Charles H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David

Sunday Ponderings ~ A Thorn Among the Roses

I’ve been a follower of Jesus Christ for many, many years, and God continues to transform me through His Word. Over and again there’s that aha! moment, and I wonder why I didn’t see it like that before. I may be a slow learner, but I’m also thankful that God doesn’t show me everything about myself at once. I would be overwhelmed and probably want to give up. God doesn’t want that. He wants me to have hope that I can and will change into the likeness of His Son, eventually.

 

Why is it that I can’t shake off a certain nagging reminder of a particular weakness? I think it’s gone, then there it is again—like a tiny thorn in the flesh that’s not always visible, that’s not always ‘feelable’, but touched in just a certain way, I’m reminded that it’s still there. Very much there, and very, very bothersome.

II Corinthians 12:7-10—So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 

A thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan. Satan—he wanted Paul discouraged, and he wants me discouraged and reminded of my particular weakness. My flesh—my own inclinations and desires. A thorn—generally found in that which has benefit or beauty. I think of thorns among the roses. God has blessed me with a grandiflora of roses along life's way, but by human nature there are also thorns that keep reminding me to be careful among the blessings and benefits of life. 

Why? For one reason, as Paul said, it's to keep us from becoming conceited. Being a doer kind of person, I can very easily forget that the reason for the roses is God’s doing and not my own. Not only is it often difficult (most often difficult) for me to handle adversities or offenses, it’s also difficult for me to handle blessings (the roses) because I tend to use them for beautifying my own vista. More specifically, the thought I’ve been mulling over is that God wants to keep me from crediting myself with the presence of the blessing.

God wants me to show and give all glory to Him, not to myself. I hope (and where would we be without hope? That's what Satan wants to discourage.) that the next time that prickly thorn reminds me of my weakness that I’ll be content in knowing that God is wanting to keep me from being conceited—so that I can show His strength and His glory through my weakness; none of me. He wants me to be merely an instrument in His hands.

II Corinthians 12:7-10—So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Painting ~ Watering the Garden 1912, Daniel Ridgway Knight 1839-1924

Wikimedia Commons public domain

Nourishing for Growth--My Roses and Myself

I love roses. But I don’t want to devote the necessary time to nourish them and keep them healthy. You’d think that since they’re my favorite flowers that I’d want to tend to them so I could clip some and bring their beauty and fragrance inside. Maybe someday I’ll give them some time and attention. For now, though, I’ll admire the roses in other people’s yards and smell their wonderful wafting fragrance as I pass by.

A couple of years ago I discovered Knock Out Shrub Roses that I’d seen in our area that seem to bloom without much ado. They don’t have layers of unfolding petals, and they’re not as elegant as the roses I really love, but I decided I could give a wee bit of time and attention to them. We bought two bushes and planted them by the picket fence in the front yard. All I have to do to them is deadhead every now and then. Takes maybe fifteen minutes. I'm wanting to get some more to put out back for a pleasant view from my sewing room.

I snipped a little two-inch-or-so bloom and put it in a little vase in my kitchen window this morning. I think it’s rather cute. I'm growing roses. Sort of.

As I think about my attitude toward roses, I don’t want my love for God’s Word to be like my love for roses—admiring the growth of beautiful blooms that other people have, but not giving much time and attention to it myself. I don’t want to be satisfied with a life of shrub roses. Yes, I sort of grow roses, but there are those that are more lovely, more fragrant, more excellent. Those are the ones that have been nurtured. Those are the ones with the sweet aroma. Those are the ones with true value.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Transforming Grace

Thought I'd share a few thoughts with you from my daughter Laura on the book Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love by Jerry Bridges.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Have you ever felt like what God expects of you as a Christian is overwhelming? Do you think that God is continually disappointed in your performance? Or that He doesn't want to hear from you because you aren't pleasing Him like you should be?

In Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love, Jerry Bridges explains why accepting salvation by grace and then trying to live by works is not God's idea. God wants us to live by grace--completely relying on the righteousness of Christ and relating to God based on the performance of Christ, not our own performance.

The truth that Bridges presents in this book is both freeing and inspiring. It frees us to live as God intended--rejoicing in the relationship we have with God through Christ. And it inspires us to live in a way that God describes is grace-filled.

From the back of the book:

Funny how the exceeding riches of God's grace seem to run out the moment we're saved. From then on, we tend to base our relationship with Him on our performance rather than on His grace.

Of course, God continues to deal with us on the basis of His grace, whether or not we understand it. It's just that when we don't, we forgo the abundant freedoms that come from not having to measure up.

The product of over 10 years of Bible study, Transforming Grace is a fountainhead of inspiration and renewal that will show you just how inexhaustible and generous God's grace really is-you'll never be able to ask for too much, need too much, hope for too much, or even sin too much. Like a never-ending stream of ocean waves crashing on the shore, His grace "superabounds" toward you without measure.

Marriage As A Picture

June is the month for weddings as young men graduate from college and are ready to take a wife. I attended another wedding over the weekend, and as I mentioned before, I’m always interested in hearing the young couple’s vows as they promise their lives to one another. The wedding vows of a Christian couple are always beautiful to behold. Leadership coupled with submission are God’s way of blessing a marriage.

The pastor reminded us all that a young woman is under the protection of her father until he passes that responsibility on to her husband when he gives her hand in marriage. The pastor also reminded us that marriage is a picture of Christ and the church. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and they become one flesh.

And so I began to consider what picture my own marriage is showing. Am I blurring the picture, or is it a picture of true reflection of Christ and the Church? And what picture am I showing to an unbelieving world so that God’s Word is not brought dishonor?

Today is our 42nd anniversary. Our marriage hasn't always been the picture it should be, but by God's grace it's coming more and more into focus.


The photo is our hands taken at our wedding 42 years ago today. A lot more than our hands have changed.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

A picture to share... 

Outside my window... 

Beautiful sunshine and a tidied up garden

Noticing the sound of...

My Beloved mowing the lawn.

From the gardens... 
Tidied up the little garden by the driveway and added some new flowers. We laid down newspapers and covered with mulch. An effective way to hinder weed growth and still be able to plant later without the hassle of landscape cloth.

Around the house...
The rhythm of routine.

From the kitchen...
Fixed a new baked macaroni dish this week. The macaroni didn't cook very well, but I still think it's a keeper. Will tweak it and share the recipe soon.

From the sewing room...
Practicing strip quilting. Made a small quilt top with this method that I'll use later for a baby quilt.

Learning...
Filling in the gaps and learning new skills as I'm working through the freshman level of the Quilter's Academy book.

This coming week I'm looking forward to...

Celebrating our 42nd anniversary. Someone asked me today if each year gets better. Indeed, it does!

Thinking...       

About a current situation in which a man is actively spreading untruth about our church leaders to divert attention from his own misdeeds to sway a major decision. Masterful manipulation. Such a tangled web of deceit to cover a man's pride.

Thankful...    

For our pastor and his wife who bear burdens most of us know little about. 
 

A thought from my Quiet Time...

"The doctrine of adoption tells us that the experience of heaven will be a family gathering, as the great host of the redeemed meet together in face-to-face fellowship with their Father God and Jesus their brother. This is the deepest and clearest idea of heaven that the Bible gives us. To see and know and love, and be loved by, the Father and the Son, in company with the rest of God's vast family, is the whole essence of the Christian hope." ~ from Knowing God Through the Year by J.I. Packer 

Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

~ 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

 

Currently reading...

Decision-Making and the Will of God by Garry Friesen. It's not a quick read. Much food for thought. Sharing a bit with you today.

[The wisdom view] recognizes that wisdom is gained progressively. God has not promised to whisper perfect plans or omniscience into the mind of any believer who asks. Accordingly, the apostles counseled that when a decision is required, those who are "full of....wisdom" (Acts 6:3) and "prudent" (1 Timothy 3"2) will do the best job. The church has not been told to choose as leaders those who are best at picking up and decoding inner impressions, but those who are mature and wise (1 Corinthians 6:5).

Gardens Are For Sharing

We worked in one of the gardens yesterday, tidying up and planting some geraniums and a lobellia a dear friend left on my doorstep for my birthday. What a delightful surprise!

Gardens are for sharing, and gardeners are generous people. You can rarely depart from them empty-handed. They love to give away extra plants, a bouquet, or produce. They freely share their knowledge with anyone just starting a garden. God wants his children to have generous hearts when it comes to sharing their faith, too. By giving encouragement, love, and sometimes a challenge, we help each other grow.

Plant a row of flowers just for cutting and giving away. 

~ from Finding God in the Garden Calender

For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us b the other's faith, both yours and mine. ~ Romans 1:11-12

Painting ~ Lilac 1901, Edmund Leighton 1852-1922

Wikimedia Commons public domain

Little Known...Yet Influential

She was little known beyond her home; but there she silently spread around her that soft, pure light, the preciousness of which is never full understood till it is quenched.

~ William E.Channing

Painting ~ Family In An Interior ~ Giovanni Batista Torriglia 1858-1937
Wiki Art public domain

Changeless Ways

Sharing with you today from my quiet time reading with J.I. Packer.

God's ways do not change. Still he blesses those on whom he sets his love in a way that humbles them so that all the glory may be his alone. Still he hates the sins of his people and uses all kinds of inward and outward pains and griefs to wean their hearts from compromise and disobedience. Still he seeks the fellowship of his people and sends them both sorrows and joys in order to detach their love from other things and attach it to himself. Still he teaches believers to value his promised gifts by making them wait for those gifts, and compelling them to pray persistently for them before he bestows them.

So we read of God dealing with his people in the Scripture record, and so he deals with them still. His aims and principles of action remain consistent. He does not at any time act out of character. Our ways, we know are pathetically inconstant--but not God's.

As for God, his way is perfect. ~ 2 Samuel 22:31

 

from Knowing God Through the Year, J.I.Packer

Painting ~ Woman Reading in an Interior, Carl Holsoe 1863-1935
WikiArt public domain

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... 

Birdhouse Planter in Our Front Yard

Outside my window... 

My Beloved mowing the lawn. 

Noticing the sound of...

The lawnmower

 

Thankful...    

For times of fellowship with friends of kindred spirit. I had lunch with a long-time friend yesterday, catching up on happenings and what God is doing in their family's life. Saw some old friends at our homeschooling graduation last evening.  

Thinking...      

About the thoughtfulness of a dear friend who left flowers on my doorstep on my birthday. What a delightful blessing when My Beloved and I returned from my surprise destination that day. God is so good to use His children as instruments of grace in the Redeemer's hand.

A thought from my Quiet Time....
Knowing that all I do will eventually (either here or there) be judged by God has a direct effect on my view of life. Judgment can be good or bad, depending on what I've done and why.


The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecc. 12:13-14

Learning...   
I was introduced to a new little crepe shop where a friend treated me to lunch yesterday that has delicious huge crepes (14 inches or so). I had a Greek crepe without Feta cheese. I know the cheese is part of what makes it Greek, but it's just not to my liking. It was still wonderful without it. We split a raspberry-nutella crepe for dessert. I'll be going back there soon!

 

Around the house.... 

We had looked at getting a new front entry door, until we saw the cost. :-/ My Beloved is painting the one we have. :-)

From the kitchen...
A new recipe for chicken enchiladas from Friday's supper.


1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips (I used frozen strips)
4 tsp chili powder
2 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1.5 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp baking cocoa
1 cup fat-free milk
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
4 green onions, chopped
1 can (4 oz) chopped green cilies, drained
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro, divided
6 whole wheat tortillas (8 in.)
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (I used mozzarella)


1. Sprinkle chicken with chili powder. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook chicken in oil over medium heat until no longer pink. Sprinkle with flour, coriander and cocoa; stir until blended.
2. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add the corn, onions, chilies and salt; cook and stir 2 minutes longer or until heated through. Remove from the heat. Stir in 1/4 cup cilantro.
3. Spread 2/3 cup filling down the center of each tortilla. Roll up and place seam side down in a 13x9 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
4. In a small bowl, combine the salsa, tomato sauce and remaining cilantro; pour over enchiladas. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until heated through.

From Healthy Cooking Magazine

From the gardens...

Did some dead-heading and tied up some roses. My Beloved painted the birdhouse flower box this week. He's so good to take care of the heavy-duty stuff. :-)

From the sewing room...

My Beloved gifted me with some fabric yardage to add to my stash. A Happy Birthday present! Love it!

Currently reading...

Decision-Making and the Will of God by Garry Friesen. Sharing a bit with you today.

God's sovereignty and man's responsibility are asserted side by side in Scripture (Acts 2:23; $:27-28). Whether or not we can put them together in our minds, we must accept both truths. And so we acknowledge a fourth characteristic of God's sovereign will: it is the supreme determiner of all things--without violating human responsibility or making God the author of sin.

The story is told of two soldiers who experienced a lull in the fighting several days after their D-day landing at Normandy. As they approached the plaza of a city, they found a statue of Christ that had been toppled. On the intact base someone had scrawled the words, "His reign is over." It can seem that way in the carnage of battle, but these soldiers knew better. They quietly replaced the statue and added three words to the base. Now it read, "His reign is over...heaven and earth."

Believers know God reigns despite their theological arguments about it. J.I. Packer contends that in prayer all believers really do believe that God is sovereign. "On our feet we may have arguments about it, but on our knees we are all agreed."

(Blogger's formatting is still not cooperating. Looks good in preview but messes up on publishing.)

From The Book Nook

I'm giving the Book Nook at church a Father's Day look today. Thought I'd pass along a few brief book blurbs that I'm highlighting there this month. (The formatting is odd. Something is wrong with Blogger. Can't get it to move at all.)

Fathering Like the Father: Becoming the Dad God Wants You to Be

Fathering comes naturally to God. Father-and-son authors Kenn and Jeff Gangel focus on God's ways of forgiving, loving, disciplining and communicating with his children.  Each of 15 chapters deals with a characteristic of God the Father that shows dads how to be an earthly father. End of chapter follow-up questions and suggestions for father-child dialogue for family devotional time.

Family Man, Family Leader: Biblical Fatherhood as the Key to a Thriving Family

This book by Philip Lancaster is a call to fathers and husbands to be leaders of their homes. He discusses biblical authority structure in the home, the father as servant-leader, protector, provider, teacher, and interceder for his family. Not only does the author cover the why, but also gives the how-to. This book is not politically correct and runs counter to our current culture. 

 

 

Why Christian Manhood Must Prevail

In this audio CD, Doug Phillips calls the men and boys of our generation back to the lost legacy of Christian manhood, which he maintains must be recaptured or else our civilization will be destroyed.  69 minutes—good for the commute, or a good family devotional time discussion starter for families with youth—guys AND gals.         

Changed Into His Image: God’s Plan for Transforming Your Life

This book by Jim Berg is about how God intends for us to change and grow, but as Berg says, not just any change will do. It involves change that wars against our sinful bent, change that moves us toward Christlikeness, toward becoming a “grown-up Christian.” Reflection questions make this a great quiet time or family study, as we used it.       

The Weight of Your Words: Measuring the Impact of What You Say

People who seriously need to read this book probably won’t. For those of us who truly desire to encourage and edify people we care about, though, this book by Joseph Stowell helps us examine our speaking habits. I periodically read books on this subject because it helps keep my tongue tamed, which is no easy task. Dr. Stowell calls us to a commitment to maturity and helps us to respond constructively when others are not.

A Time to Reaffirm

As I was growing up, I couldn't even imagine what life would be like in the year 2000, or even if it would come at all, much less 2011! But here I am 6 months into it and another birthday, which when I was little seemed ancient. Not now. Funny how that is.

The beginning of anything new is a time of anticipation, a new season of hope, a time to consider what's truly important. And it's a time to reaffirm that God is sovereign and does all things well--for His glory and for our good. He knows the end from the beginning, and establishes the paths that I take. I'm learning (slowly, yes) to rest in His care.

While my vision for the year is blurred, I ponder on how I might align myself more with God's Word and His ways, how I might grow in faith and trust as I step across this threshold. I want to give diligence to the maturing of my faith.

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power (2 Thess. 1:11).

Why? Verse 12--That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therein is the purpose of my life for this year, and the next...to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. I find encouragement in knowing that I have God's grace and power for whatever He sets before me, or for whatever He withholds from me for such a time as this.

As I was reading this week, I came to where we find the account of the lame man beside the pool of Bethesda, and isn't it amazing how many times we can read a passage and God always probes our hearts with it? A couple of things that strike me here--Jesus saw Him there beside the waters, amid the crowd of people--He saw him as an individual person with a deep desire and a hope that cascaded over him day after day. And He knew that he had been there a long time. God knows how long I've been beside my pool of Bethesda as well, and He knows the deep desires of my heart and the hopes that cascade over me. Not only does He know, but He is here with me--for I abide in Him, and He in me. He understood the man's frustration--there was no one to put him into the water to be cleansed. The man couldn't do for himself the very thing that would make him well--because he was too weak to do so. God knows my frustrations over my weaknesses as well. And that's where hope steps in. I am weak, but He is strong. When Jesus saw the man's simple faith, He quietly said, "Take up your bed and walk." And so He says to me in the simplicity of my own faith to get up and walk on--not in my own strength, but in His.

Another year of life--a new season of anticipation and hope.

The photograph is me as a little girl, about 3 years old.

Gracious Speech ~ It Matters

This post is borne from a situation in the past few days, where I was reminded that how we say our words does make a difference. If we desire to make any effectual difference in the world, in our culture, in our neighborhood, in our church, in our family with what we say, we must do so with gracious words. Even when others' words are cannon balled at us.

God tells us through the Apostle Paul that our speech should always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, that we will know how we should respond to each person (Col. 4:6). We respond with grace. God's grace. Seasoned grace. Always. We speak of His grace, His wondrous grace, in a gracious way. The right words are flavorless if not spoken with grace. We season with salt to make food savory. We season with grace to make words savory. Gracious words come from a humble spirit. God wants us to minister grace to those who listen to us, to those we want to listen to us (Eph. 4:29), manifesting through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place (2 Cor. 2:14). A sweet aroma, not cannon smoke. 

"Moreover, the speech of the saints ought to be in a graceful way, with a cheerful and pleasant countenance, in an affable and courteous manner, and not after a morose, churlish, and ill-natured fashion: and this should be "alway" the case; not that they should be always talking, for there is a time to keep silence, as well as a time to speak; but the sense is that when they do speak, it should be both graceful things, and in a graceful manner."

~John Gill, 18th Century

Painting ~ The Conversation 1895, Pierre Auguste Renoir 1841-1919

Wiki Art public domain