Kim at The Upward Call writes an interesting review on John & Staci Eldredge's book for women, titled Captivating. I highly recommend reading the blog post, as well as the linked articles. I'll leave it at that.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Coffee Cup Verse
| Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. |
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Speaking of the Potato
Girltalk has had a good series on practical deeds we can do for others. One specifically dealt with Doing Good to Our Husbands. As I look over the list, there are several items that I can relate to quickly, and may have even done in the past month without a list to inspire the action. However, I had to stop when I encountered their suggestion: Encourage him for demonstrating a specific godly trait—in front of friends.
I hate to say, but I don't really feel comfortable praising my husband in front of other people. Without evaluating the idea more, I wonder if it's because I feel like it's related to boasting and pride - "here's my wonderful husband". Guess I'll have to search my heart more about this one.
Anyway, with Valentines having come and gone, I'm gonna use this forum to do as Girltalk has suggested. Since the Spud is undoubtedly and unabashedly my biggest fan (proof), I suspect he'll be the first to read this, as would be appropriate.
Spud, I am so encouraged and challenged by your dedication and commitment to get up early every morning to take your 2 mile walk and spend time with God. Your self-discipline (1 Cor.9:27), commitment to Christ (Matt.16:24) and denial of sleep (Mark 1:34) are traits that I admire and seek to develop. Keep abiding in these ways. Thank you for setting such an example for the boys and I.
I hate to say, but I don't really feel comfortable praising my husband in front of other people. Without evaluating the idea more, I wonder if it's because I feel like it's related to boasting and pride - "here's my wonderful husband". Guess I'll have to search my heart more about this one.
Anyway, with Valentines having come and gone, I'm gonna use this forum to do as Girltalk has suggested. Since the Spud is undoubtedly and unabashedly my biggest fan (proof), I suspect he'll be the first to read this, as would be appropriate.
Spud, I am so encouraged and challenged by your dedication and commitment to get up early every morning to take your 2 mile walk and spend time with God. Your self-discipline (1 Cor.9:27), commitment to Christ (Matt.16:24) and denial of sleep (Mark 1:34) are traits that I admire and seek to develop. Keep abiding in these ways. Thank you for setting such an example for the boys and I.
Verna's Brocolli Salad
There are lots of different brocolli salad recipes, but I suggest you try this one and see if it's not the best one out there.
This recipe belonged to a lady in the church I went to while in university. She was one of those ladies that "guarded her recipes". You know the type. But I was grateful that, with a little encouragement (and possibly flattery, I hate to admit), she succumbed to my earnest pleas for her prized recipe. Thanks to her, we have enjoyed many a bowl of brocolli in our home, and generally my husband will prefer this salad to any dessert I may have made - which is the highest of praise considering the main ingredient is a green vegetable.
Ingredients:
1 egg + 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup water
3 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/2 cup mayo
4 cups brocolli
1/2 cups golden raisins
6 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup toasted almonds
1 can mandarins
1/2 medium red onion
(can also use grapes, if you like... instead or with the mandarins)
1) In top of double-boiler, whisk together eggs, sugar, cornstarch and mustard.
2) Combine vinegar and water - slowly whisk into egg mixture.
3) Place over hot water and cook, stirring occassionally, until mixture thickens.
4) Remove from heat; stir in butter and may. Chill
5) Toss dressing with remaining ingredients in serving bowl. Serve.
This recipe belonged to a lady in the church I went to while in university. She was one of those ladies that "guarded her recipes". You know the type. But I was grateful that, with a little encouragement (and possibly flattery, I hate to admit), she succumbed to my earnest pleas for her prized recipe. Thanks to her, we have enjoyed many a bowl of brocolli in our home, and generally my husband will prefer this salad to any dessert I may have made - which is the highest of praise considering the main ingredient is a green vegetable.
Ingredients:
1 egg + 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup water
3 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/2 cup mayo
4 cups brocolli
1/2 cups golden raisins
6 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup toasted almonds
1 can mandarins
1/2 medium red onion
(can also use grapes, if you like... instead or with the mandarins)
1) In top of double-boiler, whisk together eggs, sugar, cornstarch and mustard.
2) Combine vinegar and water - slowly whisk into egg mixture.
3) Place over hot water and cook, stirring occassionally, until mixture thickens.
4) Remove from heat; stir in butter and may. Chill
5) Toss dressing with remaining ingredients in serving bowl. Serve.
What Do I Say?
Know you should talk about the gospel with your friends, but not really sure what to say?
Let me recommend The Way of the Master's 'Evangelism Course'. It's a book the size of a phone book, which could be the most intimidating part. But as I've been working my way through the 101 lessons, I have found it to be encouraging to my faith, strengthening to my prayer life, instructive in basic matters of theology, and very helpful in getting a comprehensive discussion of evangelism. They deal with how to share your testimony, how to talk to strangers, what Mormons, JWs, Buddists, Hindus, Muslims, etc. believe.
It's an easy read... although not always an easy application. Lately I've been realizing that I actually love the 'praise of men' far too often and that this has been a major factor in my failures in actually speaking the truth of God.
Like with all things, make sure you have your Bible at your side. It is always good to look up the scripture references mentioned.
This is not a book on evangelism like J.I.Packer's Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Challies review), but I have found it to be equally helpful in equipping me to actually "Go" into my world and share the gospel that has given me life.
Blessings fellow "fishers of men"!
Let me recommend The Way of the Master's 'Evangelism Course'. It's a book the size of a phone book, which could be the most intimidating part. But as I've been working my way through the 101 lessons, I have found it to be encouraging to my faith, strengthening to my prayer life, instructive in basic matters of theology, and very helpful in getting a comprehensive discussion of evangelism. They deal with how to share your testimony, how to talk to strangers, what Mormons, JWs, Buddists, Hindus, Muslims, etc. believe.
It's an easy read... although not always an easy application. Lately I've been realizing that I actually love the 'praise of men' far too often and that this has been a major factor in my failures in actually speaking the truth of God.
Like with all things, make sure you have your Bible at your side. It is always good to look up the scripture references mentioned.
This is not a book on evangelism like J.I.Packer's Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Challies review), but I have found it to be equally helpful in equipping me to actually "Go" into my world and share the gospel that has given me life.
Blessings fellow "fishers of men"!
Too Much Praise For Our Kids???
Albert Mohler had an interesting review of an article in the New York magazine concerning praising children too much. It's worth the read.
And if you have an ipod, you may want to start mopping the floor and take a listen to the discussion on his radio program podcast.
What are your thoughts??
And if you have an ipod, you may want to start mopping the floor and take a listen to the discussion on his radio program podcast.
What are your thoughts??
The Eaglet
Just came across this wonderful story, written by Jim Eliff, of Christ Fellowship of Kansas. I'll be reading it to my 6 year-old... thought you might be enjoy it too.
Story: The Eaglet
A Late Valentines Date
Well, it's February 23rd and a great time to celebrate Valentine's Day. Tonight, Hubby and I went to a fine Calgary establishment, where we feasted on ribs and chicken souvlaki. Afterwards we went to Chapters for a Maple Macciato and some quality "Book Time". This was a favorite past-time, which we have given up since the boys came along.
Tonight I was especially struck by the worldliness of such a store. As I entered the literary marketplace, it is as though my mind was being accosted by the words screaming from the covers of books on everything from Feng Shui to Self-Esteem Building Child-Rearing to the latest gossip of People magazine. It made me think of Acts 17:16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
I almost felt like standing up in the middle of the store and preaching a sermon something like this:
This evening has definitely made me even more aware of the desperate need for truth to be spoken to the world today. May we all take seriously the task at hand - to share God's glorious truth with everyone we encounter. Our friends, acquaintances, brothers and sisters need the true God... and they need to hear His word spoken clearly in the marketplace of false gods being peddled through today's media.
Romans 10:14 But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Tonight I was especially struck by the worldliness of such a store. As I entered the literary marketplace, it is as though my mind was being accosted by the words screaming from the covers of books on everything from Feng Shui to Self-Esteem Building Child-Rearing to the latest gossip of People magazine. It made me think of Acts 17:16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
I almost felt like standing up in the middle of the store and preaching a sermon something like this:
Yes, this is an alteration of Acts 17:22-31 - with no intention of being blasphemous. I'm simply illustrating how there is an incredible similarity between what the Athenians were pursuing and what people are buying today. Mankind has not changed. We are not more "advanced". In fact, the case can be made that we are just as sinful and deluded as ever - without the light of God in our hearts to help us.Men and women of Calgary,
I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I pass through your marketplace of ideas and observe the fascinations of your worship, I find books with various inscriptions.
You seem to be searching for something and yet you are denying the very One that will satisfy. Your volumes of self-help propaganda and life-enrichment strategies have turned into mountains because of the many gurus, self-proclaimed experts and story-telling celebrities. You put together all manner of ideas and words - vainly seeking to design a god that can stop your pain within. You pursue all manner of gods: with the latest being a 'secret' that helps you find the real You, so You can have what You want and ultimately become a god in Yourself.
What therefore you seek as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, is not an idea concocted by man, nor is He mystically connected to. He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward Him and find Him.
He is actually not far from each one of us. In fact, if you head to the back of the store, in the far hidden corner, there are 4 shelves that give us His Word. Yes, deep among the religious panderings of false prophets and antichrists, you can seek and find the truth that will indeed set you free.
You think You are wise and intelligent; enlightened and sophisticated, but the reality is that you are ignorant and foolish - exchanging the truth of God for a lie. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.
This evening has definitely made me even more aware of the desperate need for truth to be spoken to the world today. May we all take seriously the task at hand - to share God's glorious truth with everyone we encounter. Our friends, acquaintances, brothers and sisters need the true God... and they need to hear His word spoken clearly in the marketplace of false gods being peddled through today's media.
Romans 10:14 But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Tiramisu
This is a recipe I came upon many years ago for a special Young Adults "Italian Night". It proved to be a big hit, and a few weeks ago I stumbled across the recipe again. After eating it, I thought it might be a great recipe to share. It's fairly easy to make and is a "pretty" dessert -making it a good choice when company's coming.
Ingredients:
1 pkg. (6 serving) Vanilla Pudding & Pie Filling
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. coffee liqueur
1 Tbsp. Instant coffee
1/2 cup hot water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 pkg. lady finger cookies
1-1/2 containers of Cool Whip, thawed
4 squares chocolate
Directions:
1) Prepare Pudding according to package directions.
2) Whisk cream cheese and liqueur into hot filling. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
3) Combine coffee, hot water and sugar. Brush over lady fingers.
4) Fold whipped topping into pudding mixture.
5) Line bottom of trifle bowl with lady fingers. Sprinkle with half pudding mixture and half the grated chocolate. Repeat layers.
6) Cover tightly. Chill 4 hours or overnight.
Ingredients:
1 pkg. (6 serving) Vanilla Pudding & Pie Filling
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. coffee liqueur
1 Tbsp. Instant coffee
1/2 cup hot water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 pkg. lady finger cookies
1-1/2 containers of Cool Whip, thawed
4 squares chocolate
Directions:
1) Prepare Pudding according to package directions.
2) Whisk cream cheese and liqueur into hot filling. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
3) Combine coffee, hot water and sugar. Brush over lady fingers.
4) Fold whipped topping into pudding mixture.
5) Line bottom of trifle bowl with lady fingers. Sprinkle with half pudding mixture and half the grated chocolate. Repeat layers.
6) Cover tightly. Chill 4 hours or overnight.
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