marvel not

 

…if the world hate you.  1 John 3:13

We are reading through the epistles of John this month {1-3 John} along with Proverbs.

John wrote to his fellow believers …For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 2 John 2

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 4

Do we … have we… have I demonstrated that the Truth lives in me?  People in our world need the Truth so desperately.  Are we walking in truth?

“It's also increasingly apparent to me that our real problems are not political, but spiritual. Both parties have failed to acknowledge that. Democrats have not wanted to even acknowledge the need for God in our public institutions, but sadly, many of the Republican leadership will acknowledge God, but not because they believe we should be humble before Him, but to use God in our speeches and platforms. We wear our love of Israel like a badge of courage but on the issues of life and marriage too many of our leaders are more like lambs than Lions of Judah.” ~ Mike Huckabee {via facebook}

Lots of random thoughts going through my head since last night when my hubby informed me that President Obama appeared to be winning this election….

Wondering if this is how God will show His mercy? I have never liked Mitt Romney, but I voted for Paul Ryan – and his running mate – yesterday.  In hopes of defeating Obama.  Four years ago, I couldn’t bring myself to vote for McCain.  This time I voted for the slower track to our nation’s demise. 

With the idea of God’s mercy (along with a caveat), the song “Blessings” also comes to mind this morning…

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise…

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise.

 

Verse of the Day from Bible Gateway:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” -1 Timothy 2:1-2

 

Do our comfortable lives need stirring up?  Is persecution the only way to strengthen our commitment to Christ?

 

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. ~ John 9:4

 

Work, for the night is coming,
Under the sunset skies;
While their bright tints are glowing,
Work, for daylight flies.
Work till the last beam fadeth,
Fadeth to shine no more;
Work, while the night is darkening,
When man’s work is o’er.

 

[graphic from Ann Voskamp via a facebook friend]

 

Another hymn that came to mind this morning  ~

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

Thy Word commands our flesh to dust,
“Return, ye sons of men:”
All nations rose from earth at first,
And turn to earth again.

A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by the flood,
And lost in following years.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

Like flowery fields the nations stand
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower’s hand
Lie withering ere ‘tis night.

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

 

 

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

focus

Courtesy of Crystal Paine at Money Saving Mom...

For 99 cents I bought an e-book today:  21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine.  It's on sale through Friday.  If you want, you can read the original series of posts at her blog that became the content of the e-book.

Now, which rabbit?

whew ~ another photo book

Miss Artist ~ Abby ~ is a high school senior.  I'm still amazed that the toothless wonder above will be a legal adult in just two months.

I let it get down to the wire again, but I am so thankful for another good deal from Shutterfly that allowed us to order a second photo book for Abby, bringing the printed record up to date.  At 50% off ... and with an extra $10 off for embedding something here a while back.  Yep.  Bless their hearts over there at shutterfly!

Here it is!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo books are the perfect gift for any occasion.

columbus day

{photo and map source}

520 years ago. 
October 12, 1492, is recorded as the day that Christopher Columbus {and the many sailors and adventurers with him} landed upon an island in the Bahamas, thus discovering America.

 

{photo credit}

You can read for yourself in most modern accounts of the controversies or atrocities attached to this man - and to most of the other explorers of his era.  I won't debate or defend it, although I imagine those who would also contest my worldview might exaggerate the claims to further their own agenda.  While I do not espouse the concept of a "noble savage," neither do I believe that God would condone sin, no matter how admirable the motives.  {The ends does not justify the means.}  God did allow Columbus' discovery to lead into widespread exploration of the New World.  However, it is interesting that our beloved land of the USA was not colonized by Spain {except for Florida}.  Or by the Vikings led by Leif Ericson so many centuries earlier.  Columbus himself never visited the mainland of North America.  Spain's influence and control focused on South America ~ which is noteworthy when you compare modern-day life on these two continents, hmm?  Instead it was the Cabots who explored the eastern coast of North America in the years following 1496 and claimed it for the King of England.


Consider the time of the Reformation amidst these years of Exploration ...and the new printing presses producing copies of God's Word in English.  What a difference it would make in the years to come!

10/11/12

10.11.12

AKA ~ October 11, 2012 ~

Just have to post with that sort of fun date going on today!  : )

Of course, if we lived outside the US, we'd have to wait for the 10th day of November.  But we will all agree -- without confusion -- when it's the 12th day of the 12th month.

Okay, whatever.   Shall we move on?


Unrelated to today's date, here are a few pictures from my camera to liven this post up a bit...

Two weeks ago when the Cattleman was cleaning up his garden, he found a couple melons that looked worth tasting.  Somewhat disappointing in reality, but that's hopefully a lesson learned that a garden must be watered more often.  And harvesting fruit before a hard frost is always a good idea.

The Popper learned something about the power of the sun ~ and how to focus that power using a magnifying glass  ~ to melt some chocolate.  We tried to start this dry corn leaf on fire, but it might have been too late in the day.  And since we're still under an open burn ban, it's probably a good thing.  Although I was prepared with a bucket of water nearby.

Someday this shall be a mighty oak, but for now I'm just glad it's still alive with potential to provide a good splash of color every autumn.  And eventually a bit of summer shade.  The picture is a bit blurry because the prairie breeze is a-blowing today.

And here's a colorful maple that I pray will also survive ...despite the cats who've attacked it this summer...  Seriously?

And the pretty asters are in bloom  : )

praline sweet potatoes

{Especially for Julie G.}

My mom found this recipe on a can of sweet potatoes many years ago.  Fortunately I was able to convert her to using fresh sweet potatoes, so this is really yummy!  Even better when they come from your own garden, but... not this year.  So grab some at the grocery store while they are on sale this fall!

{insert picture that I cannot find}

Praline Sweet Potatoes

3-4 pounds sweet potatoes/yams, steamed or baked and skins removed, cut into chunks or mashed

Topping:
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup shredded coconut (I used unsweetened)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour (white or whole wheat)
1/4 cup butter, melted

Place chunks of sweet potatoes in a buttered baking dish (2 quart).
Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over sweet potatoes.  Some people's children think the quantity of topping should be doubled. 
Bake at 350F for 20-30 min. uncovered.

Can be frozen to thaw and bake later - highly recommended when it's a busy food-centered holiday like Thanksgiving Day!  You'll want to make enough for a 3- or 4-quart dish if you're hosting more than 20 people.

daybook 10/8/2012

FOR TODAY

Monday, October 8, 2012

Columbus Day in the USA

Thanksgiving Day in Canada

 

Outside my window...

Sunshine, bare trees, brown and gold trees, and a bit of green grass

Tim started the outdoor wood stove last week ~ the weather has changed!

 

I am thinking...

busy, busy day(s)

Maybe we should watch an old Columbus movie via netflix tonight anyway?

 

I am thankful …

for children who love to laugh together

 

I am praying for...

… Taylor, who is home and weary after round 5 of chemo – surgery is next IF there’s any tumor left?

… Stef’s dad, who had surgery for a brain tumor on Oct. 2

… job prospects for Conny’s hubby Dan – and healing for his broken leg/dislocated ankle – ouch!

…. Michelle, with a long list of life’s stressors in the midst of the physical pain of RA as the weather changes

…Kate, in week six of college ~ still surviving and learning!

 

From the learning rooms...

I meant to have Miss Artist & the Computer Geek present orally their current events reports for government class – interesting reading for me at least!  I highly recommend World magazine.

From the kitchen...

leftovers: turkey pot pie/biscuits, beef roast, mashed potatoes & gravy, praline sweet potatoes, carrot cake, pancakes

menu options:  potato or broccoli soup, turkey enchiladas, chili, maid-rites

 

I am creating...

a winter oasis in the basement for the gerbera daisies and dahlias

{and soon I shall rediscover my sewing machine(s)!}

 

I am going...

to take Miss Artist to the orthodontist again today {expander} along with piano lessons and grocery shopping.  We can do it!

to buy a new printer/copier/scanner… one of these fine days.  The old one is still in a brain freeze since I changed the ink cartridge.  It can print and scan because the computer tells it to, but it can’t make a copy b/c it’s “busy” trying to align/whatever.

 

I am reading...

weekly writing assignments

the Stockman Grass Farmer

Genesis, Proverbs, John, Ephesians

{I did finish the Darlene Deibler Rose book the other week – so good! and so timely to read “we do not sorrow as those who have no hope” as many friends endure the loss of loved ones… and anticipate a joyful reunion in glory someday.}

 

I am hoping...

to stay on top of my lurking headache – and keep the pile of ironing at a doable level

 

I am hearing...

not much – time to get busy!

 

Around the house...

the Cattleman has reheated pancakes for breakfast, others are still reading, laundry is waiting to wash, apple tree seedlings look happy in a sunny window

 

One of my favorite things...

organic apples by the case from Azure Standard ~ hoping to order some this month!

 

Pondering these words...

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Ames today, no harp lesson tomorrow, quarterly business meeting, attending/helping with a wedding, hayride for the teens

 

Here is a picture for thought...

 

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it.

Colossians 4:17

~ Find more Daybooks at Peggy's ~