As the seasons change, life does not seem to be slowing down. I spent the day stacking heavy hay bales, preparing for winter on this gorgeous fall day. Thankful for some good physical exercise, but my body will probably be complaining tomorrow!
I read to my children as they put the roof on their life-size wigwam/fort in the pasture. I kept telling myself "Math can wait till the snow flies! Days like this are such a rare blessing." We did school as we did life today, and it was wonderful.
I watched the bond my daughter has with her horse today... I was attempting to get Dixie to move to a different location without a halter on hand with little success. She just sort of looked at me like there was no way she was going to cooperate, especially since I didn't have a halter. I called Myah outside. In her flipflops, she comes to the fence, calls Dixie over to her and points through the gate. The horse gleefully came running and obeyed her instruction without hesitation. Made me want my own horse to bond with. ;)
Two friends stopped by. One helped me finish stacking the hay, as I was close to giving up. (I later found out the bales were about 125# each -- no wonder I was struggling!) The other friend went inside and made juice for us as we finished some fencing around the hay stack. We ended the day with wonderful conversation on the front steps and a pleased husband when he got home! Goal accomplished!
I love days when I slow down enough to enjoy them. Today was one of them. Thank you, Lord for the gift of today.
Now, to get some studying done....
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
We are starting the fall women's Bible study up tonight. I am praying that God changes us all to be more in His image. Two phrases that have been on my heart are "Being a disciple who goes and makes disciples" and "Walking in the peace of complete surrender".
The goals for this study are:
1) Glean and apply all we can from the book of Titus.
2) Gain some easy methods for studying Scripture independently.
3) Make the Word of God and prayer the highest priority.
4) Bring glory to God in everything we say and do.
I appreciate prayers, if God lays it on your heart! Thank you.
The goals for this study are:
1) Glean and apply all we can from the book of Titus.
2) Gain some easy methods for studying Scripture independently.
3) Make the Word of God and prayer the highest priority.
4) Bring glory to God in everything we say and do.
I appreciate prayers, if God lays it on your heart! Thank you.
Thursday, September 06, 2012
ON PRAYER
Had a texting conversation with a long-distance friend today. We were discussing prayer, and the need to really spend that time before the Lord -- one on one. So often we hear, "Well, I pray all day as I'm going about life." Yes, that's important, but it's in our prayer closests that we really LEARN to pray.
This thought came to mind.... Let's say I went on a date with Evan. We planned to have good coversation, talk about some things, but then I pull my school planning out and attempt to do that while maintaining a conversation with him. My focus would be shared and pulled in different directions. God understands my life, but He also knows I can deal with it so much better when I have that quality time with Him. He doesn't want to share me all day every day. Yes, we need to pray through our tasks, but we will lose that intimacy and closeness if we never have time alone together... we need time alone DAILY communing with the Lord!
As I told my friend, this is probably my biggest battle every day -- to find that place and time to pray alone. That alone tells me how important it is, and how hard the enemy fights to keep me from it. Even studying my Bible is easier to me than praying.... we need them both so desperately.
"When you miss your devotions one day, you notice. When you miss them 2 days, your spouse and kids notice. When you miss them 3 days, the world notices."
"The devil knows if he can keep you from the Word (& prayer), you'll simply dry up" (Wayne Cordeiro). Abiding in the Lord, is abiding in the vine. Just like a tree that dries up, the fruit will disappear, and remember dear friends, we are known by our fruit! How vital it is that we stay connected to the vine!
This thought came to mind.... Let's say I went on a date with Evan. We planned to have good coversation, talk about some things, but then I pull my school planning out and attempt to do that while maintaining a conversation with him. My focus would be shared and pulled in different directions. God understands my life, but He also knows I can deal with it so much better when I have that quality time with Him. He doesn't want to share me all day every day. Yes, we need to pray through our tasks, but we will lose that intimacy and closeness if we never have time alone together... we need time alone DAILY communing with the Lord!
As I told my friend, this is probably my biggest battle every day -- to find that place and time to pray alone. That alone tells me how important it is, and how hard the enemy fights to keep me from it. Even studying my Bible is easier to me than praying.... we need them both so desperately.
"When you miss your devotions one day, you notice. When you miss them 2 days, your spouse and kids notice. When you miss them 3 days, the world notices."
"The devil knows if he can keep you from the Word (& prayer), you'll simply dry up" (Wayne Cordeiro). Abiding in the Lord, is abiding in the vine. Just like a tree that dries up, the fruit will disappear, and remember dear friends, we are known by our fruit! How vital it is that we stay connected to the vine!
FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T GIVEN UP ON THEIR BREAD MACHINES
I have two favorite bread recipes, and this is my newest one. I like it because it is SO easy if you have a bread machine. It turns out every time!
CRUSTY BREAD
3 cups flour (I use 2 cups white/1 cup wheat)
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/8 c. warm water
1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. yeast
Mix on bread dough cycle in machine. Put in greased bread pan and let rise. Bake at 375* for 25-30 min. Can put pan of hot water in bottom of oven while baking. To make a nice crusty bread, bake in afternoon and pop back into oven for 5 min before meal. Serve with butter and honey!
CRUSTY BREAD
3 cups flour (I use 2 cups white/1 cup wheat)
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/8 c. warm water
1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. yeast
Mix on bread dough cycle in machine. Put in greased bread pan and let rise. Bake at 375* for 25-30 min. Can put pan of hot water in bottom of oven while baking. To make a nice crusty bread, bake in afternoon and pop back into oven for 5 min before meal. Serve with butter and honey!
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
REPENTANCE -- Brief Thoughts This Morning
Contemplating repentance today.... Fearing God leads to repentance, yet all throughout Scripture (been reading in Ezekiel & Revelation) there is such a lack of both. Sadly, this looks so much like our world today.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
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