All Speak of Family Love

Not the least of teatime's pleasures is the ceremony it serves up and the satisfaction of doing something as it has been done for generations. This was the spoon Great-Grandmother used, this was they way we had our cinnamon toast, cut in soldiers or in butterflies, tea served in this cup was the magic cure for measles, winter colds, homesickness--all speak of family love.
~Catherine Calvert, Having Tea

If The Lord Gave You Nothing But Troubles

If the Lord gave you nothing but troubles, then, I think, there might be some justification in dwelling so much upon them. But since there are so many mercies, would not it be wisdom to tell your friends, sometimes, all about those mercies with a sparkling eye and say, “They were manifold mercies. There was fold upon fold. See the goodness of the Lord in this thing. He sent that mercy just when I needed it—just when I most required it—and it came to me in such a beautiful way, too, and it was delivered to me by the very person that made it most acceptable. The way in which the gift was bestowed so sweetened it that I do not know how to praise the Lord enough for it.”

Oh, if only I heard Christians often saying one to another, “Have you heard what the Lord has done for me? Sit down a little while and let me fill your ears with the sweet tale of His loving kindnesses and His tender mercies.” Is not this justice? Bare justice? If you will harp on your sorrows, you should, in a better sense, harp on your joys and bring out the best harp with all its ten strings—and touch all those strings with praise to Him who has done so much for you!

~C. H. Spurgeon

Chesterton and Phil Robertson

When your children speak truth, you thank the Lord. And you pray He'll keep them walking in the truth, all the days of their lives. And you know they'll take hits, hard ones, but that's what happens when light shines on the darkness, and you praise God for that, too.

As a culture, we wolf this sort of thing down. Why? Because the aberrancy of sin is always easier to countenance under a thick layer of psuedonymous goop. Sodomy is no exception. We’d rather not think about what the homosexual act actually involves, so we avoid anything that might remind us of it, even accidentally. We go out of our way to tippy-toe. And when everybody tippy-toes, the man who puts his foot down is promptly knifed in the back.

Read all of it:   In Which Chesterton and Phil Robertson Mix

Ranch Pretzels

For movie night--here's a twist on the ranch-seasoned oyster cracker recipe. :)

Ranch Pretzels

16 ounce package of small pretzels (or buy big ones and break into pieces)
2 ounces of ranch salad dressing mix
3/4 c. oil
1-1/2 t. garlic powder
1-1/2 t. dill weed

Place pretzels in large mixing bowl. Combine remaining ingredients in a separate mixing bowl and pour over pretzels, tossing to coat. Pour onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 200 degrees for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

When This Happens, There Will Always Be An Explosion

The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because 

I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

~John. 7:7

 

*******

There's plenty of commentary on The Duck Dynasty affair, but I think this excerpt from D. A. Carson's For the Love of God is very timely:

"Rather naively, some of us think that if Jesus were alive today, our tolerant culture would not give Him a really rough time, much less crucify Him. We would simply marginalize Him, treat Him as if He were a harmless eccentric. Is that true? Not according to John. The issues are bound up with the nature of fallenness and its response to holiness.

Both by His flawless character and by His candid speech, Jesus makes 'the world' horribly uncomfortable. How long would Jesus have lasted in Stalin's Russia? In Hitler's Germany? Or in Northern Ireland? Or the Balkans? Or in the United States? The least we would do, I imagine, is have Him committed for psychiatric evaluation. But I doubt that it would end there. Consider just one small arena: Some of my friends have had their lives repeatedly threatened because they publicly oppose homosexual marriages. These are not homophobes or gay bashers. Some of them have proven wonderfully fruitful and loving in their ministries to gays and straights alike. Were Jesus ministering among us today, I have no doubt that such death threats would have become assassination.

The implication of 7:7 is that Jesus' brothers belong to the world. That is why they fit in so well. Are we being faithful if no one hates us? This candid exposure of the world is not smug one-upmanship, disgusting self-righteousness. Jesus is righteous; He is holy. Where sin and holiness collide, there will always be an explosion. And we sinners must come to recognize our deep sinfulness, or we will never turn to the Savior for help."
~D. A. Carson, For the Love of God, Vol. 2, December 17th

What's Best for Our Souls

My family and I have been making a certain request to the Lord for over two years. Last week He answered. And the answer was "no", or at least, "not right now."

And even though I know so well the truth of His providential care of us, that He is always doing what is best, this answer felt like a kick in the gut. I had put too much hope in a "yes" answer instead of in God Himself.

The Lord is our Shepherd, and He leads us in the paths of righteousness, not leaving us to ourselves. What a mercy this is, even though we are often clueless about His ways.

One of my favorite books of 2013 was Stephen Altrogge's The Greener Grass Conspiracy. In this passage, he reminds us that it is God who knows what is best for our souls:

In Psalm 23:2-3 David says of the Lord, "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Notice that David doesn't say, "I plot the best course for my life. I am the captain of my ship. I will go wherever my heart desires." David realizes that God is his shepherd, his captain, his leader. God will lead him to places of rest. God will restore his soul. God will lead him in righteousness.

We're convinced that a particular thing will bring peace, order, and restoration to our souls. We look around, and we see other people who have what we want, and they look so happy. They skip down the street holding the hands of their little children. They gaze into the eyes of their lovers. They smile as they mow the lawn of their new five-bedroom, four-bath, three-car-garage house. Meanwhile, our lives seem so whacked out and dysfunctional.

But we really don't know what's best for our souls. If God allowed us to follow our own plans, we wouldn't end up on the paths of righteousness that lead to still waters. We would end up in empty, barren wastelands of sin and destruction. God is the one who restores our soul. Sometimes he restores us by giving us what we desire, and sometimes he restores us by withholding it. In either case we can be assured that God knows the best path for us and that He'll lead us on that path.

With love,
Trisha

For Mothers of Sons: Training Up Holy Husbands

"Where are the holy men of God willing to shoulder the full responsibility of manhood, to take the risks and make the sacrifices of courting and winning a wife, marrying her and fathering children in obedience to the command to be fruitful? While the Church has been blessed by men willing to remain single for the sake of the Kingdom (and I do not regard lightly such men who are seriously called), isn't it obvious that God calls most men to marriage?"

~Elisabeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart

******

It's a good thing to remember, dear Mamas, that the little boy in the highchair, the one just learning to feed himself or walk or put Lego pieces together, will one day be a man, and most likely, a husband. Are we teaching them with this in mind? Do we imagine what kind of husband the fruit of our labors, by God's grace, might design? Matthew Henry reminds us that "every action is seed sown." What seeds are we sowing in our sons' lives to encourage them to one day be godly husbands and fathers?

Are we training our boys to be strong, to do their duties without murmuring and disputing? Are we selfishly coddling them and babying them so that they remain our "babies" even when they're young men? (Mothers seem especially prone to doing this with their last male child.) Do we encourage them to stick with what is known and safe, or do we cheer them on as they try new things and face defeat and discouragement?

Are we creating men who will make excuses at every turn for why they can't get a job done, as we say, "It's ok, son," and finish the job for them? Are we training up cowards who would hide behind a woman or men who will lay down their lives second by second for their wives?

Have we gotten lazy in our discipline so that our sons walk in the flesh without consequence and establish habits that will be their undoing or their family's undoing? What are we teaching them about marriage? Do we complain about our spouses or remind our sons, with much regret, of all we've given up? Or do we model repentance and forgiveness and perseverance and joy?

Are we teaching them to have a vision for marriage and family and such responsibilities, or are we encouraging them to live for Self and pursue dreams that stunt their maturity and leave them shunning commitment?

Is Christ our all in all, or have we taught them that our Christianity is just one option among many, a great crutch to have in times of trouble, perhaps, but surely nothing to live or die for? Are we grounding them in the Word, so that they're not taken captive by every false wind of doctrine, so that they know that love doesn't conquer theological differences in a marriage, that light and darkness cannot dwell together in unity?

The questions go on and on, and there are many good ones to ask. May God keep us focused and give us the grace to mindfully train up sons who will be the "holy men of God" and pursue holy women of God and make holy families of God.

With love,
Trisha


**Yes! We should be just as mindful about training up our daughters to be godly wives, but that's not what I'm addressing here. And yes, Dads play a huge part in training up sons, but I'm speaking to the moms and their influence. And yes, there are exceptions, but exceptions shouldn't determine the norm or keep us from embracing the norm.

The Art of Living

"The art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on."

~Havelock Ellis

We've been soaking up the joy of having so much snow, and we're enjoying cozy days at home, thankful for God's provision of heat and good food and many answered prayers.

And we are thrilled to announce the courtship of our dear Ink and his lovely girl, Allie. Such an exciting season of life this is for them and for us, and we are deeply grateful to the Lord for this amazing gift. 

So much living going on here. So many seasons of life intertwined. It makes me all the more thankful that God is good, and God is great.

 Claire so happy after Emma braids her hair.

Corey and Allie. Their story is so magical to me. Maybe one day they'll share how God brought them together.

 I never tire of seeing the sun rise or set here in the desert.

 Elijah's "I'm so excited!" look, after he noticed the presents on the table.

 Hugs...

 That Baby Animals book was simply shocking.

 I love finding little army men in the oddest places.

 These feet just keep growing.

Claire's in there somewhere. How thankful we are for so much snow in the past few weeks!

 One of our resident bunnies.

 Cozy home and comfort food

The Myth of the Disqualified Mama

A mother once told me she couldn't correct a great sin in her child's life because she herself committed that sin. Our conversation reminded me that our past sins are often chains that weigh us down. They bind us to parent from fear or guilt instead of from His Word. Satan uses our past to convince us we have no authority to teach our children His truths, whispering that we're only hypocrites if we tell our children not to do the very things we once did. He convinces us that ALL children do such and such or that ALL teenagers go through phases of rebellion and defiance. In other words, he affords us excuse after excuse to neglect our duties as parents. 

Yet, our struggles with past sins should encourage us all the more to parent intentionally, with much focus and vigor and grace and truth. We express the depths of our gratitude to the Lord for redeeming our own lives when we faithfully disciple the children He has given us.

I married an unbeliever. Praise God for His mercy in saving my husband. But, there are still consequences of beginning a marriage as an unequally yoked bride and groom. And this is why I can especially explain to our children that light and darkness cannot dwell together in unity.

It is because we have chosen foolishly at times, have walked in the power of the flesh instead of the power of the Spirit, that we are very qualified to warn our children of the danger of leaving His paths of righteousness. So, use those past sins for His glory and walk in thanksgiving for the life God has given you, teaching your children well.

If, then, you would deal wisely with your child, you must not leave him to the guidance of his own will. Think for him, judge for him, act for him, just as you would for one weak and blind. But for pity’s sake, give him not up to his own wayward tastes and inclinations. It must not be his likings and wishes that are consulted. He knows not yet what is good for his mind and soul any more than what is good for his body. You do not let him decide what he shall eat, what he shall drink, and how he shall be clothed. Be consistent, and deal with his mind in like manner. Train him in the way that is Scriptural and right and not in the way that he fancies.

~J. C. Ryle

Much love,

Trisha

Really. It's True.

...she's never watched a game show.

Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake

If you love peanut butter, well, you're gonna love this cake. I mean, love, as in, it's going to take every bit of self-control you have to not eat the whole thing.

2 c. all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 c. butter
1 c. water
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 t. vanilla extract
1/2 c. buttermilk

Peanut Butter Icing
Garnish: chopped peanuts

Combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl, set aside. Combine butter, water, and peanut butter in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Add to flour mixture and mix well; set aside. Combine eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk; add to peanut butter mixture.

Spread batter in a greased 15x10 jelly roll pan (I used my Pampered Chef large bar pan, which is 15x10, and I sprayed it with Baker's Joy). Bake at 350 degrees for 25-28 minutes or until cake springs back when gently touched. Spread Peanut Butter Icing over warm cake and garnish, if desired. Serves 15-20.

Peanut Butter Icing

1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
1/3 c. plus 1 T. milk
16 ounce package of powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla extract

Combine first three ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until spreading consistency.

~from Gooseberry Patch's Quick and Easy cookbook

***The picture in my cookbook shows an icing without any specks of powdered sugar. I'm assuming a mixer was used to get it to look that way because mine didn't when mixing by hand. And I didn't garnish with peanuts because I didn't have any. :)  Enjoy!

With love,
Trisha

The Wonder of Your Company

It is no small gift from God to be counted one among His saints. And it is no small thing to enjoy the pleasure of the saints' company, the joy of their friendship.

Those who love us with the love of Christ bear with our infirmities, rejoice with us when rejoicing is hard, speak difficult truths to us in love, overlook offenses, graciously forgive offenses, cheer us on when we've grown weary and want to give up.

Sometimes I look at the company God has given me to keep, and I'm in awe. They are wiser and more loving. More forgiving. More gracious. They're big-hearted while I'm small-minded. They stand up straight, arms and hands wide open, while I cower, arms crossed and hands tight-fisted. They give grace by the tons, while I'm tempted to offer it in spoonfuls.

It's like running with a group of seasoned athletes, and I'm the amateur in the middle. But these friends don't leave me behind. They patiently let me run with them, even though I'm always stumbling and catching my breath, and I push myself because of their kindness, and I exercise those places in my soul that are too easily neglected. I remember their examples, when they didn't return evil for evil, when they gave to their hurt, when they rejoiced with me in the midst of their own heartbreak, and God uses them to sharpen me.

They are truly holier than I am.

"We are all of us at times bad and laughable, but there are still also among us now and then truth, greatness, even holiness. The merest hint of true holiness we are quick to suspect as counterfeit, and we condemn what we like to call a 'holier than thou' attitude. But years ago a teacher pointed out that the person I was condemning was in fact holier than I--and it certainly didn't take much."
~Elisabeth Elliot

In our socialist mindset, we're tempted to think that Christians are equally holy,  equally sanctified. But we're not. And those around us who are more like Christ than we are should not move us to doubt or envy, but rather, they should move us to wonder. To wonder at God's grace and His work in them, and to wonder at the ways they bear with us and encourage us, and to wonder at the truth that God is working in us, too.

C. S. Lewis said this of his friends:

"In a perfect friendship...each member of the circle feels, in his secret heart, humbled before all of the rest. Sometimes he wonders what he is doing there among his betters. He is lucky beyond desert to be in such company. Especially when the whole group is together, each bringing out all that is best, wisest, or funniest in all the others."

The glorious truth is that God has set us among our "betters." What a gift it is to learn from them, to run this race with them. What a gift it is to know the wonder of their company.

With love,
Trisha

A Perfect Shot