Ella's Most Brilliant Bible Reading Advice

Overheard while 6 year old Miss Ella, (Boo), is instructing her two younger siblings:

"So every day we should read the 
Word and not go away empty-headed."

If You Took a Walk With Us

If you took a walk with us, you wouldn't only have tangled hair and dusty shoes at the end of the road, you'd also learn to savor life a bit more and your heart would spill over with thankfulness.

No iPod or cell phone needed. You can even leave your Kindle at home, too.  We'd show you that walking 2 miles in less than 30 minutes is overrated.

We prefer an hour and a half.

We'd remind you that hair blowing in the wind warms the heart and yellow flowers make you smile. 

You'd remember there's nothing quite so precious as baby feet basking in the sun. You'd praise God for the miracle of ten toes.

You'd be amazed that there could be so much color along the desert road, and you, too, would want your own stick.

You'd thank God for the simple joy of holding hands, Big helping Little.

You'd have to stop and smell the wildflowers and maybe even study them a bit more closely, too. You'd consider all the details of God's creation you've been overlooking for years now.

You'd remember what it's like to just enjoy the moment for what it is, not fretting over what you still have left to do or what unknowns the future holds.

The horses would compel you to stop. You'd wonder at their beauty and thank the God who made them all.

You'd remember frisbee is a game to be played almost anywhere. No electricity required.

You might even feel the urge to sprint a bit, pondering the grace God gives you to run THE race well.

You'd look at all the smiles around you, remembering every good thing you have was bought with a price, the blood of Jesus.  

You'd think of that person whose burden you want to make lighter. You'd think of ways to carry them when they're weary and can't go on.

You'd remember not to rush so much, and you'd take time to pet the horses. 

And after the initial shock, you'd learn to rejoice even when covered with horse spit.

You'd be more mindful of the "least of these," ready to offer a helping hand or a strong shoulder.

You'd discover the adventure that awaits you in a sunflower. 

And in your imagination.

Slumping baby chin would remind you of the gift of having loved ones to lean on and of belonging to the One who lifts you up.

You'd remember God gives you the privilege of being the hands and feet of Jesus to others. 

You'd praise God for the gift of slowness and the joy of drinking of His mercies so fully and gratefully.

Any takers? :)


With love,

                                                   

The Real Truth About Our Unmet Needs

I shared with a dear friend that grief often has a stubborn companion...loneliness. I've been saddened and hurt by close friends who haven't really been close friends in the sorrow. I've expected more good words, more encouragement and have been disappointed by what is sometimes even complete silence.

And while my grieving has made me more sensitive to others' grief, more resolved to do unto others as I would want done to me, and I will be the first to say we should bear one another's burdens, God has shown me that even our desire for compassion and comfort from others can be sin when the lack of it disturbs the quiet of our soul.

The truth is that the only One who completely understands my suffering and your suffering is God. Jesus suffered more in those hours on the cross as He bore the wrath we deserved than any of us will suffer in our lifetimes. And yet, unlike our sometimes fleshly responses that make suffering a competition, "My heartache is bigger than your heartache," Jesus looks upon our sorrow with more compassion than an earthly friend could ever offer.

That is true comfort!

If you turned to Psalm 62 in my Bible, you'd find lots of notes and these words underlined, "Truly, my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved." Before Michele died, and I had a miscarriage, I wrote the following:

"Only God is my salvation and only in Him should I put my trust, not in my roles as a wife and mother, my family, my friends, my things, my hobbies, my skills or talents. Only Him."

In the past days, I've added, "not in the good words or encouragement of others."

Whenever we're hungering for something other than God Himself, and we're hurt or angry or bitter because our desires are frustrated, it's a timely reminder that God alone is our salvation and only He truly satisfies. He alone comforts our hearts perfectly. He is so good that He often keeps those very desires from being fulfilled that we may realize He is our EVERYTHING.

And because He is our Everything, we don't have to be moved by unmet desires or disappointing friendships or painful silence. We don't have to be bitter or withdraw or throw a tantrum, pick up our toys, and resolve to play elsewhere, with other friends who will surely treat us better.

God has not set us in isolation. We're to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. We're to love one another and bear one another's burdens. But we'll never do that perfectly, and if we look to people or things for our salvation, we'll always be disappointed.

So we praise God for the many ways we can bless and encourage one another's hearts. We praise Him for those He's put in our lives who have rejoiced with us and wept with us.We praise Him we can give one another grace as we learn to love each other better. And we praise God that He is trustworthy and always ready to hear the rejoicings or sorrows of our hearts, most perfectly. (Psalm 62:8)

With love,

***And I praise God for the mercies He's poured out on me through so many of you who have never even met me. Thank you!

Mighty Rivers of Love

"If we contemplate the aboundings of divine grace 

we shall be lost in admiration. Mighty rivers of 

love have flowed for us in the wilderness."

~C.H. Spurgeon

When Darkness Settles In

"You can no more kill the darkness than you can raise the sun."

~Andrew Peterson

We woke up to a snow-spattered landscape the other morning, the clouds masking the mountains. It was quite beautiful, and I find days like these comforting and cozy.  But the darkness of it all reminds me of the place God has me now. Like a cloud, the heaviness hangs over me, and I feel I'm clinging with all my might to all the hope and joy that He's given me these past couple of weeks.

My flesh prefers short-term grief. I'd like to move on to the sunny paths of His providence, but my heart knows that there are priceless lessons to be learned right where I am. So, I'm praying for enough hope to not be overcome by despair, and I'm rejoicing that God has kept me so powerfully in this trial.

He's kept me from bitterness.
He's kept me from doubt.
He's kept me from murmuring and fist-shaking.

He's kept me rejoicing and moving through the days with increased dependence on Him.

It's all a gift of His infinite wisdom and His endless mercies. The growing pains. The grace. The eyes-wide-open to see the daily load of benefits I enjoy. I'm so thankful.

So, while I feel the darkness in an almost crushing way, my heart and lips are still spilling over with praise. I know. How can this be? Only God.

As He continues to refine me, by His grace, I know what I'll still be doing. I'll still be laughing with my children. I'll still be crying in the quiet. I'll still be making our home a place that reflects the love of Christ. I'll still be fighting. Not fighting against God's providence, but fighting hard and praying hard for a heart that doesn't cry to be moved from the darkness before I'm ready and for God to continue to be merciful to this slow learner. Oh, LORD, be merciful to me, a sinner!

And I'll still be on my knees for those who are in an even darker place. Praying you'll know God's peace and comfort and joy, right in the midst of your sorrow.

The darkness will last for a season, and God, in His perfect timing, will lift the heaviness, and we'll be walking in sunshine, stronger and more like Jesus, and ever ready to glorify Him when the darkness comes again.

"And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
~Psalm 50:15

With love,

Notes From the Reading Chair~Book Briefs

I think I lost my reading momentum back in June. I've gotten sidetracked with life's circumstances and have been reading books not even on my book list. Lately, I've been camped out in the Psalms for my Bible reading, and I've been devouring books about grief and affliction.

But, here are some thoughts on a few of the books I have managed to finish so far this year. Please remember that a recommendation doesn't mean I agree with EVERYTHING an author says nor everyone the author quotes, but that I do think a read is worthy of your time and effort.

A Place of Quiet Rest by Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Reading Nancy's books is like having tea and conversation with a true friend. She speaks the truth in love and does it well. This book focuses on cultivating a regular time with the Lord in the Word and in prayer.

I'll tell you now that I diverge from the many wise women and Moms who insist there's no need for a quiet time. I'll defend the necessity of this discipline, this habit, whatever you choose to call it, until I die, and this book is a great teacher for beginners as well as for Christians who have cherished their daily time alone with the LORD for years.

Facing Grief by John Flavel: Flavel was a Puritan writer. I bought this soon after my Dad died, and I found it most encouraging, and I highly recommend it with a couple of cautions. This is not the book to give to a mother who has just lost her baby. Flavel, though speaking the truth and knowing well the pain of losing a child, approaches the subject with some rough edges that I think might be discouraging for the newly grieving Mama.

I also don't recommend passing this book along to a weaker Christian who just lost a loved one. But, for the well grounded, mature Christian, Flavel's words will be convicting and comforting at the same time.

For the Love of God Vol. 1 by Don Carson: I love this book, even though I've gotten off track with it since my Dad died. Carson offers the "big picture" of God's Word in this devotional that is a great companion to your daily Bible reading. It covers the Bible in a year, and Carson offers a second volume as well. Highly recommended.

Death in Holy Orders by P.D. James: I read Children of Men by James several years ago, but I honestly couldn't remember enough about it to know if I should try another one of her books. Needing a break from the heaviness of some of my non-fiction reads, I decided to try this book. James is a captivating writer who knows how to tell a tale, keeping you in suspense at every turn of the page. However, there was too much sensuality in this story (and I'm thinking Children of Men was the same) for my comfort. I recommend Dorothy Sayers instead. Her Nine Tailors was an excellent, suspenseful read without the unsavory relationships and details.

Humility by C.J. Mahaney: This is probably my favorite read thus far this year. Highly recommended. We enjoyed this as a read aloud and found Mahaney to be practical, funny, and encouraging. If your family struggles with conflict or lack of unity or you find yourself struggling to find evidences of grace in those around you, read this book.

Making it All Work by David Allen: No, Allen is not a Christian, but when it comes to organizing and scheduling, he's spot on. His Getting Things Done method clicks with me, and I've found his books to be very beneficial, even though I'm a homemaker. I think his system is brilliant! Again, Allen is not a Christian and this is obvious in his writings, so proceed with caution if this might be a stumbling block for you.

The Power of Words and The Wonder of God by John Piper and Justin Taylor, editors: I was greatly encouraged and convicted by this book ,which is a collection of essays addressing the power of the tongue. I found it ironic that Mark Driscoll was a contributing writer, and I was offended by some of his potshots at homeschoolers, but found his essay, overall, surprisingly edifying. Even with Driscoll as a contributor, I recommend this book.

Treasury of David by Spurgeon: This is a collection of Spurgeon's writings on the Psalms, and it is wonderful! Highly recommended. I even sought out a used set because the current publications of this are abridged. I've been feasting on the Psalms for several months now and have found these books to be great companions.

Contentment: A Godly Woman's Adornment by Lydia Brownback: Wonderful book that gets to the heart of our murmurings and disputings. I found her essays so encouraging, I quickly finished this one. Makes a great gift.

The Real Scandal of the Evangelical Mind by Carl Trueman: "What is an evangelical....and has he lost his mind?" Great read worth your time. Be prepared to read it a couple of times. Trueman is brilliant.

Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman: Even if you don't have a large family, you'll find this book helpful. Brenneman deals with the practical and with the heart. Encouraging and brief chapters that cover everything from scheduling to pregnancy to feast nights to homeschooling. A great reference to have on hand and go back to again and again.

Read on!

With love,

Thankful Thursday~How the Camera Saves Lives

The camera saves lives. Yes, the insane experienced Mama has learned that instead of getting exasperated by those disasters pesky messes that happen during the most ordinary of days, it's better to just throw a tantrum grab your camera.

Camera-hugging is therapeutic. It calms the spirit and reminds the already brain dead exhausted Mama that these moments of chaos are ones to be fully embraced and remembered. And what better way to do that than with one's camera! After all, this way EVERYONE can savor the moment and re-live the delight, saying, "Oh, I wish I could have been there to  watch her  clean up."

So, next time you have one of these moments of pure JOY, grab your camera, smile big, tell your other children, "It's ok," and let them think you've lost your mind...or perhaps just gained a more gentle and quiet spirit that knows one should never cry over flying cornstarch.

The Adventure

The Adventurer when brought before Queen Mama by shocked siblings.

What kind of place is this anyway? 

Shouldn't someone have been watching him?

Close-up of Adventurer's distress. Melt my heart. How could I be upset?

After reprieve, the Adventurer returns to the scene of said adventure.

His final thoughts before clean-up: "Something's wrong. They're just letting me play in this mess. Hmm, it just doesn't seem as fun anymore."

Truly, I'm thankful for having matured just a bit over these 16 years as a Mama to be able to laugh at moments like this, knowing one day I'll wish I had a baby who makes mischief in the cornstarch.

I'm thankful my children teach me daily to relax and not sweat the small stuff, or rather, the cornstarch. But, oh, I'm a slow learner!

I'm thankful God didn't give me children because I'm so qualified or deserving, but  because He's gracious and kind and merciful.

I'm thankful for moments like this that make me praise the LORD for His many mercies to me.

I'm thankful that our adventures might bring a smile to your face and remind you how beautiful life is and how good God is.

"Grateful love is the true spring of real obedience to Christ."
~J.C. Ryle,
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel, Luke

With love,

This Week's Hit: An Oven Omelet

I've somehow settled into a routine of trying a new recipe on Sunday evenings. This week's experiment was an oven omelet. I think this makes an especially hearty offering for a "breakfast for dinner" meal. Add a side of french toast, and your family will call you a genius. :)

Of course, everyone is different. That's the beauty of recipes...we can make 'em into what works best for our family. Even those children of mine who can't imagine salsa combined with eggs enjoyed this and had to admit they'd eat it again.

Oven Omelet

1/8 c. butter, melted
9 eggs
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. sour cream
1 tsp. salt
1/2 lb. sausage, cooked and drained
salsa to cover bottom of pan
1 c. cheddar cheese

Melt butter and pour in bottom of 8x8 pan. Top with cooked sausage and salsa.
Beat eggs, milk, sour cream, and salt until smooth, then adding cheese to mixture. Pour into pan over sausage and salsa. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for approx. 50-60 minutes. Let stand 5 min. before cutting.

Instead of sausage, you could add cooked bacon and onions to the bottom with the salsa. You can also switch up the cheeses, adding part swiss and part cheddar or whatever suits your fancy. This recipe can also be doubled and baked in a 13x9 for about 30-35 minutes.

Enjoy!

Women of the Reformation

Starting October 31st, my friend Christina, at Heavenly Springs will be hosting a series about the women of the Reformation. You'll be familiar with some of the guest writers, and I'll be including a post about the little known Catherine of Willoughby, Duchess of Suffolk. We'd love to have you join us!