A Good Cup of Coffee

Whilst sipping coffee out of my favorite pink mug, I "happened" upon an interesting blog, Everyday Mommy. A good read is the article, Sola Moms.

May we all contemplate the implications of such truths as sola christus. This is particularly significant with the erosion of the true gospel in the lives of many people who name Christ as their only Savior.

Let us examine ourselves in light of scripture and cling to Christ, His Word, etc. - as these foundations are the very truths which the Spirit used to bring us to God Himself.

Homeschooling Challenge

Here's an article for homeschooling moms. Beware: the following may result in reflection, conviction, and sorrow leading to repentance. Some things may be a little "heavy" to bear, but definitely some good thoughts to consider, as we seek to parent with "obedience to God", rather than personal goals as motivation.

In Preparation for Easter

I stumbled upon a video, with music by Fernando Ortega, that was a simple song of the regenerated soul's longing for Jesus.

You can watch it here.

Baby Food Recipes - I

As I was looking through my recipe book last week, I came upon these baby food recipes. My boys had quite enjoyed them, and so I thought I'd share the recipes - they're from a book my sister had received as a shower gift.

Hope your babies enjoy!!

LENTIL SPECIAL

4 oz. sweet potatoes

1 rib celery

2 tbsp. red or green lentils

1 tbsp. ketchup

1-1/2 cups water

Bring to a boil. cook until soft. Blend. Freeze in ice cube trays.

PAPRIKA PORK

6 oz. pork

3 oz. carrot

6 oz. potato

1/4 onion

1/4 red pepper

1 tsp. oil

1/2 tsp. paprika

2/3 cup baked beans

2/3 cup water

Bring to a boil. Cook until soft. Blend. Freeze in ice cube trays.

SAUCY PASTA

* 4 oz. carrots

* 2 oz. brussel sprouts

* 1 oz. green beans

* 2 tbsp. corn

* 2 oz. dried pasta

* 1-1/2 cups milk

2 oz. mild cheddar

Bring * items to a boil. Cook until soft. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Blend. Freeze in ice cube trays.

Coffee Cup Verse

I'm attempting to learn 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 from memory, and so I'll start by making this my coffee cup verse for this week. You can join me in this endeavor, if you'd like. I've set a 'hoky' melody to the words to help, which I'll share, if you think you can endure the tune to get the words deep into your heart :)

1 Chronicles 16:8
O give thanks to the Lord
call upon His name
tell His deed among the peoples.

O sing out to Him
sing psalms to Him
talk of all His wonderful works.

Apple Crisp

A friend recently asked about my apple crisp recipe, so I thought I'd post it... in case you're searching for a "healthier" dessert option to top of tonight's dinner.

Apple Crisp

Fill pie plate with apples (or any other fruit) as high as you want.
Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (or brown sugar with fruits other than apples).

Crumbs mixture:
1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. oats
enough butter to make it moist and crumbly (approx. 1/3 c. butter)
Add milk (dash) if not moist enough or to reduce the amount of butter.

Mix crumb mixture together with hands. Crumble topping over fruit.

Bake in 350 degree oven until golden brown (approx.30 minutes) or in microwave for 10 minutes.

Enjoy topped with ice cream, as desired

Coffee Cup Verse

Proverbs 19:20-21

Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days. Many are the plans in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD, it will stand.

Interesting Find On Love

Just for your interest... not sure of the application of this "research" yet.

I did a search into "love" and the gospel/evangelism a few weeks ago, as part of my bible study.

Taking a look at the gospels and Acts, I found it interesting that the only time Jesus mentions God's love for people, or of His own love for people is John 3:16, when He is talking to Nicodemus and with His closest disciples (once Judas Iscariot leaves) just before His crucifixion in John 13,14,15 .

None of the sermons recorded in Acts begin with a discourse on God's love.

In the epistles, there are several discussions of God's love. But similar to the pattern of John's record, the mention of God's love is in letters written to the 'elect', the church, the believers, the remnant.

This has left me somewhat baffled at evangelism methods that suggest we should point to God's love first.

Guess I'll have to pray more and read God's Word more to learn why Jesus didn't come to earth and proclaim God's love. Clearly, He demonstrated the Father's love and, as John points out, He loved "to the end" with His actions. But my question (and I'm inviting feedback :) is: why didn't Jesus or Peter or Paul stand up and extol God's love in light of the cross? Why didn't they explain His love in this way to the unbelieving? Why is there silence about God's love outside the circle of those that are saved, or like Nicodemus (seeking Jesus so desperately that they are risking their necks and seeking Him out in the middle of the night... so hungry for the truth)?

What say you?

Friends

Okay, it must be my turn to learn about friendship.

In my bible study, we've been studying John 15 and the words of Jesus resound... "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command you."

Thanks be to God for the friends He has granted me. They are of the category described above, 'one another'. I know we are 'friends', and thereby 'one anothers' to one another, because they and I have the above mentioned "linking factor" - Jesus Christ. By observing their lives and hearing their words, I see that they desire to do what Jesus commands: loving God and loving others. (Matt.22:37-39)

It is remarkable what friends will give of themselves and it is a testimony of the believer's love to give of themselves... completely. This includes telling the truth despite the fact that it is painful, as well as hugging while it is painful.

Such was my blessed opportunity at study last night, and I thank my friends for their love for God - shown to me.

Let me encourage you... if you do not have friends that will spur, encourage, bear, weep, and pray for you - find some believers with whom you can engage in such a relationship. Plead with God to lead you to such people. Seek them out. Be such an one. Such closeness will generally preclude the opposite sex, but from personal testimony, it is indeed the way God designed Christian fellowship to function.

When it presses too closely or too painfully on our soul, our tendency is to push others farther away, and yet it is precisely at those times that we ought NOT to "forsake the assembling of the saints, as some are in the habit of doing."(Heb.10:25)

We live in a very rich country, with a plethora of choices. Many of our choices dictate the use of our time - a commodity that we often spend foolishly. Please carefully consider becoming a part of a study of pure scripture with people that will truthfully love you... to the point of pain, because "the Lord disciplines those He loves." And what great joy can be found there... what great news it is to be counted among the disciplined ones... what great love that truly is!!

Birthday Guests

Yesterday was my son's 4th birthday (p.s. Is it normal to have palpitations when your "baby" is 4?) As part of the festivities of a "train party", the children received a parcel from Sir Topham Hatt, captain of Thomas the Tank Engine. Inside the package was a story book, as well as costumes for the fathers to don - all part of an impromptu storybook theatre presentation.

The children seemed to enjoy themselves immensely, as their dads became Thomas, Gordon, Henry, Percy and James. Their grand stature and comical voices added to the hilarity of the moment.

A big 'thanks' to all the dads - for their willingness to be part of the afternoon. Yet even more, thank you dads for taking an interest in your children. There are many, many homes where children are growing up without their fathers, and it was SO encouraging to my soul to see men being REAL men by being a memorable part of their children's lives (even if it was in a masked way). THANK YOU!!

Best Friends

This photo was shot 2 weeks ago, when my eldest son had his friend over for the day. It was a week off school and so both of them were in the best of spirits and full of energy.

Being a gorgeous day outside, I thought I'd sit down for an afternoon cup of tea and let them play in the snow. As I watched them, I marvelled at their intense affections for one another.

They haven't been friends for very long. (My son reminded me yesterday, on the way to church, that his favorite day was Oct.31st - the day he met Isaac at Bible Discovery Night.)

Since then, they search each other out at church or Boys Brigade... and for my son, this is definitely his first "crush". Not like boy-girl crushes, but the kind of affections that we can lavish on another human being, whom we enjoy being with and whose heart is one that knits itself to ours. I'm reminded of David and Jonathan's friendship in 1 Samuel 18:1, "As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. "

Interestingly, I believe I was watching a similar knitting occuring on this snowy afternoon. Under the open blue of heaven, my son and his friend were digging for diamonds in their diamond mine, while they were sharing in something much deeper.

Of course, their friendship focuses predominantly on where the next battle will take place, and who will be the captain and who will be the first mate... or which one of them should wear the shield while the other gets the sword. But I find something so endearing in the picture of friendship. Our friendships here remind us that life is not all about us... and although many people "sabotage" their relationships by their selfishness, a true and genuine love for another is marked by selflessness and love that seeks the other's benefit over our own.

May I be marked by such love for my Savior - my best friend. And from that deep relationship, I pray for the template to respond to the human lives I am blessed to be a part of.

I thank God for granting me some especially dear friends (chief of whom is my dear hubby) and my prayer is that all of us will be able to share our days with fellow "diamond miners" amidst the open skies of heaven.

Coffee Cup Verse

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord

is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom

and understanding.