Thankful Thursday

This is the promise I am especially thankful for today:

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.~Romans 8:38-39

Each Thursday of 2010, I am joining with Kim of The Upward Call and other friends in thanking God for His good gifts to us. Please join us!

Quotes From the Cottage

When we speak of God's trying men, we are not to suppose that He needs to discover by experiment what is their real character. He knows what is in them before the trial, He knows beforehand what will be the effect of the trial; but He thus makes men's characters known to themselves and to their fellowmen, for ends worthy of His own infinite wisdom, righteousness and kindness. It also deserves to be noticed that the means which God employs to prove His people are fitted to improve them. The means He employs to discover the good that is in them are calculated to increase and perfect it; the means He employs to discover the evil that is in them are calculated to lessen and destroy it.
~John Brown in Hebrews p. 521 regarding Heb. 11:17

Sunday's Hymn: When This Passing World is Done

When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o'er life's finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

When I hear the wicked call
On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start and shrink
On the fiery deluge brink,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see thee as thou art,
Love thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

When the praise of heav'n I hear,
Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters' noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.

Robert Murray McCheyne, 1837
Tune: Mount Zion, Sir Arthur S. Sullivan, 1867

Thankful Thursday

Thankfulness to God for my daughter, Emily, is what's on my mind and in my heart today. She's a kind and loving daughter to us, always willing to help where needed and in whatever way she can. And when it comes time to relax together, she's lots of fun too.

Tomorrow is Emily's birthday and over the weekend we'll be celebrating with a special meal and cheesecake, which is her birthday cake of choice. So its my privilege to thank God for Emily, to thank Him for giving her to us and to thank Him for the faith that He's given to her and the way that He continues to grow her in that faith.

Each Thursday of 2010, I'm joining with Kim of The Upward Call and several other friends in thanking God for His good gifts to us. Shared thanksgiving is a special blessing! Won't you join us?

Quotes From the Cottage

...so when men are called by grace, and converted, they come out of a country, this world, which is a land of sin and iniquity, of great folly and ignorance, of darkness, and of the shadow of death; a desert, a mere wilderness; a country where Satan reigns, full of wicked and ungodly men; and which is the land of their nativity, as to their first birth: and they may be said to come out of it, not in a natural and civil sense, but in a spiritual one; and it is the character of a converted man, or one that is come out of the world, and is separated from it, to be unmindful of it; not so as not to consider from whence he came out, as owing to rich grace; nor so as not to lament the iniquities of it; nor so as not to pray for the conversion of the inhabitants of it; but he is unmindful of it, so as to be desirous of the company of the men of it, or to have the affections set upon it, and the heart tickled with the pleasures of it, or so as to desire to return to it, for which there is a great deal of reason: for this country is not worth minding; and there is much in it to set a gracious mind against it; a good man has better things to mind; and it is below, and unworthy of a Christian, to mind the world; and besides, worldly mindedness is attended with bad consequences. Moreover, though the saints have opportunities of returning, yet they do not; they are near it, and the country they are seeking is afar off: many things in it are alluring and ensnaring; a corrupt and deceitful heart often lingers after them, and Satan is not wanting to tempt unto, and by them. And yet they do not return; some that bear the name of Christians, but are not truly such, may wholly return, and never come back more; and true believers may strangely go back again in some instances; but they shall not return finally and totally: for they are held and drawn with the cords of love; they are in the hands of Christ, and are secured in the covenant of grace; they are returned to Christ, in the effectual calling, who will keep them; they are of the household of God, and shall be no more foreigners; should they return in such sense, they would be condemned with the world, which cannot be.
~John Gill on Hebrews 11:15

Sunday's Hymn: Amazing Grace

Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found—
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

And when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

John Newton, 1779
Tune: Amazing Grace,
Traditional American melody, Arr. by Edwin O. Excell, 1851-1921

Thankful Thursday

Our bedroom in the cottage is upstairs and our central air isn't really effective up there so we have a portable air conditioner to cool things a little further. A couple of weeks ago, that portable air conditioning unit began to make some noise and, as time went on, it became a bit more disconcerting. Earlier this week, Andy took the thing apart and determined that the bearings needed to be replaced which he did. Now I'm thanking God for not only a cool room to sleep in but a quiet one as well. And of course, my very handy husband.

What a you thanking Him for today? Each Thursday of 2010, I am joining Kim of The Upward Call and several others in praising Him for His goodness to us. Won't you join us?

Sunday's Hymn: I Lay My Sins on Jesus

I lay my sins on Jesus,
The spotless Lamb of God;
He bears them all, and frees us
From the accursed load:
I bring my guilt to Jesus,
To wash my crimson stains
White in his blood most precious,
Till not a spot remains.

I lay my wants on Jesus;
All fullness dwells in him;
He heals all my diseases,
He doth my soul redeem:
I lay my griefs on Jesus,
My burdens and my cares;
He from them all releases,
He all my sorrows shares.

I rest my soul on Jesus,
This weary soul of mine;
His right hand me embraces,
I on his breast recline.
I love the Name of Jesus,
Immanuel, Christ, the Lord;
Like fragrance on the breezes
His Name abroad is poured.

I long to be like Jesus,
Meek, loving, lowly, mild;
I long to be like Jesus,
The Father's holy Child;
I long to be with Jesus
Amid the heav'nly throng,
To sing with saints his praises,
To learn the angels' song.

Horatius Bonar, 1848
Tune: Miriam, Joseph P. Holbrook, 1865

Thankful Thursday

I'm thanking God for my dear husband, Andy, today. Its his birthday so it seems an appropriate time to thank God for the good gift He's given me in my loving husband. Here's a snap of him holding his personal record small mouth bass, caught on this year's vacation to the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

I'm joining with Kim of The Upward Call and other friends in posting my thankful thoughts each Thursday of 2010. Won't you join us?

Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes

2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs
6 tablespoons melted butter
3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup buckwheat flour
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup blueberries

In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs and melted butter.

In another bowl, mix together white flour, buckwheat flour, sugar, salt and baking soda.

Pour the dry ingredients into the egg mixture and stir until the two mixtures are just incorporated.

Stir in blueberries. Or do as I do and just sprinkle some blueberries onto each pancake as you cook them.

Heat griddle to medium hot and melt some butter on it or pour a little oil on it. Spoon batter on griddle to make 4-6 inch pancakes. (Here's where I sprinkle on the blueberries.) Flip the pancakes once bubbles form on them and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Serve with butter and real maple syrup and some bacon on the side. Mmmm....yummy! This recipe serves about four people.

Sunday's Hymn: Come, Ye Souls by Sin Afflicted

Come, ye souls by sin afflicted,
Bowed with fruitless sorrow down;
By the broken law convicted,
Through the cross behold the crown;
Look to Jesus;
Mercy flows through him alone.

Take his easy yoke and wear it;
Love will make obedience sweet;
Christ will give you strength to bear it,
While his wisdom guides your feet
Safe to glory,
Where his ransomed captives meet.

Blessed are the eyes that see him,
Blest the ears that hear his voice;
Blessed are the souls that trust him,
And in him alone rejoice:
His commandments
Then become their happy choice.

Sweet as home to pilgrim's weary,
Light to newly opened eyes,
Or full springs in deserts dreary,
Is the rest the cross supplies:
All who taste it
Shall to rest immortal rise.

Joseph Swain, 1792
Tune: St. Austin, Arr. from a Gregorian chant for the Bristol Tune Book, 1876

Thankful Thursday

I've been working on my study of Hebrews this afternoon. The passage for examination next Monday is Hebrews 11:11-12:

¹¹By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. ¹²And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

I've been dipping into the related Genesis passages (primarily Gen. 17:17-19 and Gen. 18:10-14 but several others as well) but I've also spent quite a bit of time in Romans 4. These are the verses in Romans 4 that are spurring my thankful thoughts this afternoon:

²³The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, ²⁴but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

I am so very thankful for that gift of belief, freely given to me by our gracious God through no merit of my own, that leads to my righteous justification before Him! In fact, I'm awestruck by it!

Kim of The Upward Call and several others (including me) are praising God with our thoughts of thanksgiving each Thursday of 2010. Won't you join us?

I Write Like...Who?

I saw this at Kim from Hiraeth's who saw it at Rebecca's.

I write like
Stephen King

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

I'm not sure if I should consider this a compliment or not.

Sunday's Hymn: Jehovah's Perfect Law

Jehovah's perfect law
Restores the soul again;
His testimony sure
Gives wisdom unto men;
The precepts of the Lord are right,
And fill the heart with great delight.

The Lord's commands are pure,
They light and joy restore;
Jehovah's fear is clean,
Enduring evermore;
His statutes, let the world confess,
Are wholly truth and righteousness.

They are to be desired
Above the finest gold;
Than honey from the comb
More sweetness far they hold;
With warnings they thy servant guard,
In keeping them is great reward.

His errors who can know?
Cleanse me from hidden stain;
Keep me from wilful sins,
Nor let them o'er me reign;
And then I upright shall appear
And be from great transgressions clear.

When thou dost search my life,
May all my thoughts within
And all the words I speak
Thy full approval win.
O Lord, thou art a Rock to me,
And my Redeemer thou shalt be.

From Psalm 19:7-14
The Psalter, 1912
Tune: Haddam, Arr. by Lowell Mason, 1822

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that I can take 40 minute walks every morning and not experience pain. Last week I would have said that the bursitis that plagued my left hip over the last year was gone, in fact. Then I mowed the lawn on Friday for about an hour. (Emily took it over for the second half of the lawn...I'm thankful for her help too!) But I paid for my part of the mowing over the weekend. Still, my hip is so much better and I can do so many things that I couldn't do just a few months ago. And its already recovering from the lawn episode! Thank you, God!

Each Thursday of 2010, I joining with Kim of The Upward Call and many others in praising God for the good gifts that He gives us. Won't you share yours?

A Fourth of July Visitor

We had an uninvited guest last evening. I was emptying the dishwasher about 8:30 PM and thinking about heading to bed pretty soon afterwards. As I straightened up to put some dishes in the cabinet, I caught a glimpse of something black out of the corner of my eye. It was about eye-level and at first I thought it was a bird and then quickly thought it looked more like a butterfly. But all black?

By now you may have guessed what it really was...a bat! It settled gently to the kitchen floor a few feet from me and I yelled to Andy who was in the basement. He came up and saw it before returning to the basement for a container to throw over it. I headed down the hall to Emily's room and closed the door. I wish I had just tossed a dish towel over the thing before that though, because when Andy came back up the bat was gone. Well, not really gone. Just not on the kitchen floor any more. So he went back downstairs to look up on his computer how to find a bat in your house. Emily did the same thing in her room. Then the two of them went bat-hunting while Charlie and I hunkered down in Emily's room and read a bit.

With flashlights in hand and a container to throw over it (as well as a fishing net in case it flew), they started searching. Emily found it under the valance over the doors to the screen porch chittering away. The two of them moved in and captured it, took it outdoors and set it on the ground. It flew away, hopefully to eat some more mosquitoes. Case closed and we all went to bed in peace...Crystal Lake's Fourth of July fireworks are scheduled for tonight.

Sunday's Hymn: Jesus, Master, Whose I Am

Jesus, Master, whose I am,
Purchased thine alone to be
By thy blood, O spotless Lamb,
Shed so willingly for me,
Let my heart be all thine own,
Let me live to thee alone.

Jesus, Master, I am thine:
Keep me faithful, keep me near;
Let thy presence in me shine
All my homeward way to cheer.
Jesus, at thy feet I fall,
O be thou my all in all.

Jesus, Master, whom I serve,
Though so feebly and so ill,
Strengthen hand and heart and nerve
All thy bidding to fulfil.
Open thou mine eyes to see
All the work thou hast for me.

Lord, thou needest not, I know,
Service such as I can bring;
Yet I long to prove and show
Full allegiance to my King.
Thou an honor art to me:
Let me be a praise to thee.

Frances R. Havergal, 1865
Tune: Wells, Adapted from Dimitri Bortnianski, 1752-1825

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for cooler temperatures and low humidity this week! We had a run of very hot and humid weather the previous couple of weeks so this is welcome relief and I'm praising God for it!

What are you praising Him for this week? Each Thursday of 2010, I'm joining Kim of The Upward Call and several others in sharing thanksgiving to our good God. Please join us.

P.S. Happy Canada Day, Kim and Rebecca!

A Biography of Louisa May Alcott

Little Women has been one of my all-time favorite books ever since I first read it at about age 12 but I'd never read a biography of Louisa May Alcott until now. I knew that Little Women was loosely based on Alcott's own family and that she had never married. Particularly because of the way Pilgrim's Progress is interwoven in the story, I'd always imagined Louisa May Alcott as a sweet Christian spinster.

Harriet Reisen is the author of Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women. Her well researched, well-written biography reveals a very different image from the one I've held all these years. Louisa May was the second daughter of Bronson Alcott, a prominent member of the circle of Transcendentalists of New England in the nineteenth century that also included Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. She was very much affected by the thinking of these men which seems to be much the same as that which is now referred to as New Age. Louisa May in fact referred to herself as a Bhuddist and espoused a belief in reincarnation.

Bronson Alcott never successfully supported his family and this also affected Louisa greatly. She was a determined and spirited child and made up her mind early that she would support the family as soon as possible. She became wealthy through the writing of Little Women and her other children's fiction but she wrote in that genre for the money and not for the love of it. Indeed, she was quite cranky and impatient with the young girls who comprised the Little Women Clubs that sprang up after the publication of her most famous novel. Her true writing passion was in pulp fiction which she wrote under the pseudonym A. M. Barnard.

Never really healthy in her adult life, it is postulated that Louisa May Alcott suffered from Lupus as well as manic-depressive illness. Perhaps this accounts for her bad temper as well as her addiction to opiates which was apparently not uncommon among women of the time.

Despite the fact that Harriet Reissen effectively destroyed my fond and long-held image of the author of Little Women, I am glad that I read Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women. But before you read it, do be warned that your mental picture of this classic author may never be the same.

The Beauty of God's Creation in Northern Wisconsin

Lupines

Ruffed Grouse



Loon

Sunset on Lake Bastine

Sunday's Hymn: How Vast the Benefits Divine

How vast the benefits divine
Which we in Christ possess!
We are redeemed from guilt and shame
And called to holiness.
But not for works which we have done,
Or shall hereafter do,
Hath God decreed on sinful men
Salvation to bestow.

The glory, Lord, from first to last,
Is due to thee alone;
Aught to ourselves we dare not take,
Or rob thee of thy crown.
Our glorious Surety undertook
To satisfy for man,
And grace was given us in him
Before the world began.

This is thy will, that in thy love
We ever should abide;
That earth and hell should not prevail
To turn thy Word aside.
Not one of all the chosen race
But shall to heav'n attain,
Partake on earth the purposed grace
And then with Jesus reign.

Augustus M. Toplady, 1774
Tune: St. Matthew, William Croft, 1678-1727

Thankful Thursday

I haven't posted much about our vacation (an omission I intend to correct) but one incident was something we would have preferred to avoid. Charlie got hurt. He jumped off the bed and hurt his rear right leg. Charlie sleeps with us at home too and sometimes he needs to go out in the middle of the night (he is an old guy, remember). At home, he wakes us up by scratching at us, waiting patiently on the bed until one of us responds. Perhaps he was confused in unfamiliar circumstances but he jumped rather than waiting. The result was he was unable to put any weight on the leg. So on our second day of vacation, we visited a local vet who X-rayed the leg and determined that nothing was broken or dislocated. Charlie had torn or strained the equivalent of a human ACL. If it was indeed torn, she told us, he would be unable to bear weight on the leg for a month and it would take two more for it to heal. No surgery for dogs under 30 pounds...or dogs of 14 and a half years.

Well, he began to bear some weight on it in a few days. Its now four weeks since the injury and Charlie is walking, albeit with a little limp, and this week he began bearing enough weight on the leg to lift the other one as boys do. Praise God for His healing of my little pet! I thank Him for His care for Charlie and His care for me in my love for Charlie!

Each Thursday of 2010, I am thanking God for His goodness to me together with Kim of The Upward Call and several others. Won't you join us?

Sunday's Hymn: Before Thee, God, Who Knowest All

Before thee, God, who knowest all,
With grief and shame I prostrate fall.
I see my sins against thee, Lord,
The sins of thought, of deed, and word.
They press me sore: I cry to thee:
O God, be merciful to me!

O Lord, my God, to thee I pray:
O cast me not in wrath away!
Let thy good Spirit ne'er depart,
But let him draw to thee my heart
That truly penitent I be:
O God, be merciful to me!

O Jesus, let thy precious blood
Be to my soul a cleansing flood.
Turn not, O Lord, thy guest away,
But grant that justified I may
Go to my house at peace with thee:
O God, be merciful to me!

Magnus B. Landstad, 1861
Tr. by Carl Doving, 1909
Tune: The Lord's Prayer (Vater Unser), Schumann's Gesangbuch, 1539

Thankful Thursday

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.~Phil. 4:8

I am thankful for a dear and faithful sister in Christ who points me in that direction and reminds me of the sovereignty of God when I am feeling discouraged and overwhelmed.

What are you thankful for today? Please join with Kim of the Upward Call and many others who are sharing in the thanksgiving to our good God each Thursday of 2010.

Sunday's Hymn: By Grace I'm Saved

By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless;
My soul, believe and doubt it not.
Why stagger at this word of promise?
Hath Scripture ever falsehood taught?
Nay; then this word must true remain:
By grace thou, too, shalt heav'n obtain.

By grace! None dare lay claim to merit;
Our works and conduct have no worth.
God in his love sent our Redeemer,
Christ Jesus, to this sinful earth;
His death did for our sins atone,
And we are saved by grace alone.

By grace! O, mark this word of promise
When thou art by thy sins oppressed,
When Satan plagues thy troubled conscience,
And when thy heart is seeking rest.
What reason cannot comprehend
God by his grace to thee doth send.

By grace! This ground of faith is certain;
So long as God is true, it stands.
What saints have penned by inspiration,
What in his Word our God commands,
What our whole faith must rest upon,
Is grace alone, grace in his Son.

Christian L. Scheidt, 1742
Tune: Aus Gnaden Soll Ich Selig Werden, Justin H. Knecht, 1796

Thankful Thursday

We returned this past Saturday evening from our two weeks in Northern Wisconsin. It was a wonderful time of rest and relaxation. Decisions consisted of shall we go fishing or just relax by the cabin? What game shall we play tonight? Should I read or crochet? You get the idea. It was just wonderful! And I am so thankful that God's provision for us included this special time together!

We came home to all kinds of catching up at the home front. Some things we expected, others we didn't and they are still not fully dealt with. But I am also thankful to God for His provision of this home to come to, this life that He has given us, and the strength to deal with the issues that awaited us, fully aware that that strength comes from Him.

Each Thursday of this year, I am joining with Kim of The Upward Call and others in praising God for the good gifts He gives us. What has He given you this week? Please share in the thanksgiving.

Sunday's Hymn: Thou Art the Way

Thou art the Way: to thee alone
From sin and death we flee;
And he who would the Father seek
Must seek him, Lord, by thee.

Thou art the Truth: thy Word alone
True wisdom can impart;
Thou only canst inform the mind,
And purify the heart.

Thou art the Life: the rending tomb
Proclaims thy conquering arm,
And those who put their trust in thee
Nor death nor hell shall harm.

Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life:
Grant us that Way to know,
That Truth to keep, that Life to win,
Whose joys eternal flow.

George W. Doane, 1824
Tune: Arlington, Arr. by Ralph Harrison, 1784
from Thomas A. Arne, 1762

Sunday's Hymn: How Lovely Shines the Morning Star

How lovely shines the Morning Star!
The nations see and hail afar
The light in Judah shining.
Thou David's Son of Jacob's race,
My Bridegroom and my King of Grace,
For thee my heart is pining.
Lowly, holy,
Great and glorious,
Thou victorious
Prince of graces,
Filling all the heav'nly places.

Now richly to my waiting heart,
O thou, my God, deign to impart
The grace of love undying.
In thy blest body let me be,
E'en as the branch is in the tree,
Thy life my life supplying.
Sighing, crying,
For the savor
Of thy favor
Resting never
Till I rest in thee for ever.

Thou, mighty Father, in thy Son
Didst love me ere thou hadst begun
This ancient world's foundation.
Thy Son hath made a friend of me,
And when in spirit him I see,
I joy in tribulation.
What bliss
Is this!
He that liveth
To me giveth
Life forever;
Nothing me from him can sever.

Philipp Nicolai, 1597
Tr., composite
Tune: Wie Schon Leuchtet Der Morgenstern, Philipp Nicolai, 1599
Arr. Johann Sebastian Bach, c. 1730

Sunday's Hymn: Under the Care of My God

Under the care of my God, the Almighty,
Safe in the secret place of the Most High!
He is my Refuge, the Lord is my Fortress,
Him I am trusting when trouble is nigh.

Under his wings, under his wings,
Safe in the refuge hide thee;
Trusting his truth and faithfulness,
No evil can betide thee.

Be not afraid for the terror of midnight,
Nor for the arrow that hasteth to slay;
Fear not the pestilence walking in darkness,
Nor the destroyer that wasteth by day.

Seek the Most High for thy sure habitation,
Unto Jehovah for refuge now fly;
There shall no evil befall thee nor harm thee,
Unto thy dwelling no plague shall come nigh.

Love thou the Lord, surely he will deliver;
He will exalt thee and answer thy prayer;
He will be with thee to honor and give thee
Life without end, his salvation to share.

From Psalm 91
United Presbyterian Bible Songs Hymnal, 1927
Tune: Under His Wings, Ira D. Sankey, 1840-1908

Thankful Thursday

There are two things on my mind this morning that I am especially thankful to God for. First, He has called me to return to a position of leadership in a Bible study program that has been important in my life for several years now. I am feeling so joyful about that privilege!

And secondly, we are embarking on a two-week vacation on Saturday! We'll be spending that time in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin doing some fishing and reading and relaxing together. I am so thankful for this time of renewal and refreshment that God is providing for us! So I've got my Sunday hymns ready to publish automatically on the next three Sundays but other than that, its going to be very quiet over here at Field Stone Cottage.

So what are you thanking God for today? Please join with Kim of The Upward Call and several others of us who are sharing our praises of God for His good gifts to us each Thursday of 2010.

Sunday's Hymn: From Every Stormy Wind that Blows

From ev'ry stormy wind that blows,
From ev'ry swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sure retreat,
'Tis found beneath the mercy-seat.

There is a place where Jesus sheds
The oil of gladness on our heads,
A place than all besides more sweet;
It is the blood-stained mercy-seat.

There is a spot where spirits blend,
Where friend holds fellowship with friend,
Tho' sundered far; by faith they meet
Around the common mercy-seat.

Ah, whither could we flee for aid,
When tempted, desolate, dismayed,
Or how the hosts of hell defeat,
Had suff'ring saints no mercy-seat?

There, there on eagle wings we soar,
And time and sense seem all no more,
And heav'n comes down our souls to greet,
And glory crowns the mercy-seat.

O may my hand forget her skill,
My tongue be silent, cold, and still,
This bounding heart forget to beat,
If I forget the mercy-seat.

Hugh Stowell, 1828, 1831
Tune: Retreat, Thomas Hastings, 1842

Thankful Thursday

I'm so thankful for a good cardiology report for our little Charlie today! It was the day for his annual echocardiogram to check on his mitral valve problem and the result is that his murmur is actually less than it was a year ago because there is less leakage through that valve and, according to his cardiologist, Charlie is compensating very well for his heart problems! The cardiologist said that for this to occur is so rare that they don't even tell people that it is a possibility at all. She was delighted with the news and so are we! Praise God!!!! We love this little 14 and a half year old dog of ours and want him to enjoy a healthy life with us as long as possible!

Each Thursday of 2010, I'm joining with Kim of The Upward Call and others in thanking God for His good gifts to us. Join us, won't you?

Happy Mother's Day!

Sunday's Hymn: O Perfect Love

O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
Lowly we kneel in prayer before thy throne,
That theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
Whom thou for evermore dost join in one.

O perfect Life, be thou their full assurance
Of tender charity and steadfast faith,
Of patient hope, and quiet, brave endurance,
With childlike trust that fears nor pain nor death.

Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,
And to life's day the glorious unknown morrow
That dawns upon eternal love and life.

Hear us, O Father, gracious and forgiving,
Through Jesus Christ thy co-eternal Word,
Who, with the Holy Ghost, by all things living
Now and to endless ages art adored.

Dorothy F. Gurney, 1883
St. 4 by John Ellerton
Tune: Perfect Love, Sir Joseph Barnby, 1889

Thankful Thursday

The electrician finished up the big electrical project on Tuesday and the city inspector approved it this morning. Meanwhile, the roofers came and repaired a section of the roof that had been damaged yesterday. I think we're done with contractors doing work around here for a while and for that I say, thank you, God! These men were all nice people who were very competent and I am thankful for that too but its so nice to have the house back to ourselves! Plus I'm thankful not to be running up any more expensive home repair bills! There are finishing-up bits of work to do in the wake of the electrical project but us homeowners can handle that. I'm also thankful for a very handy husband who knows how to do a lot himself and I'm always happy to help him. In fact, its fun to work together!

Each Thursday of 2010, I am joining Kim of the Upward Call and other blogging friends in thanking God for the good gifts He gives us. Won't you share in the thanksgiving?

Sunday's Hymn: Blest be the Tie that Binds

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love:
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims, are one,
Our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way,
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free;
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.

John Fawcett, 1782
Tune: Dennis, Arr. from Hans G. Nageli by Lowell Mason, 1845

Thankful Thursday

Tuesday of this week marked the completion of the study of Revelation that I've been doing this year. At the beginning of the book, in Revelation 1:3 is this promise: "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." This promise is repeated near the end of the book in Revelation 22:7 with these words: "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

I have been truly blessed by the study of this book and I am so very thankful that I have had the opportunity to study it! I've been blessed by an expanded understanding of the very nature of God, His character and His attributes and His eternal plans and purposes. Who could ask for more? But there were further blessings for me. I've experienced an increased understanding of other passages of Scripture because of my new knowledge of Revelation. I have read the warnings of Revelation with an increased sense of the urgency of sharing the gospel. And reading the commendations and warnings to the churches of Asia Minor was of particular relevancy to me as a member of a relatively new and small church plant. So I praise God and thank Him for the blessings He has so graciously given me through this study, blessings I did not anticipate from studying this particular book.

What are you thanking God for this week? Each Thursday of 2010, I am joining with my friend, Kim, of The Upward Call, and others in giving thanks to God for His good gifts. Please join us!

Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb!

Rebecca is inviting us all to join in a big ole' celebration of the joys of rhubarb! A rhubarb fest! And I love, love, love rhubarb!!! I love it almost any way you can serve it...in pie, a sauce, rhubarb cake, rhubarb muffins, in a crisp, a cobbler. Oh, and rhubarb anything jam! Can't forget that! But for the celebration, I'm going to share this recipe for Honey Rhubarb Betty. Its tried and true and if you love rhubarb, I can't imagine that you won't love it.

Honey Rhubarb Betty
1 lb. or 4 cup rhubarb, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
dash of salt
2 tablespoons water
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 cup honey
5 slices bread, torn or cut into cubes

Combine rhubarb, sugar, nutmeg, salt and water in a 10 X 6 X 1 1/2 inch baking dish. Blend butter and honey; stir in bread cubes. Spoon evenly over top of rhubarb. Bake in 375 degrees (Fahrenheit) oven about 30 minutes or until topping is a light golden brown. Yield 4-6 servings.

I doubled the recipe and used a 9 X 13 inch baking dish.

And here are couple of rhubarb recipes that I've shared in the past; rhubarb muffins and blueberry rhubarb jam. I think you'll like them too!

I've had rhubarb growing at some of the places we've lived before but I don't have a patch here. I was planning on correcting that this spring but along came the big electrical project which involved ditches and men tromping over the planned patch. The project is nearing completion and I'm hopeful that it won't be too late to get in a patch this year. I've had some very generous friends who have kept me in the stuff in recent years but its past time to correct that and be on the giving side of sharing rhubarb.

For information on growing rhubarb, rhubarb varieties, rhubarb history, rhubarb festivals (other than Rebecca's), rhubarb recipes, non-food uses of rhubarb and just about any other sort of rhubarb information you can think of, I've found The Rhubarb Compendium to be the go-to site.

Now its your turn to join the celebration of this wonderful plant. Put up your own rhubarb post and share the link with Rebecca. Or leave your rhubarb thoughts in a comment at her site. Just do it by Thursday to be at the party. See you there!

Sunday's Hymn: To God Be the Glory

To God be the glory, great things he hath done!
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that we may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory, great things he hath done!

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood!
To ev'ry believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus forgiveness receives.

Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

Fanny J. Crosby, 1875
Tune: Praise the Lord, William H. Doane, 1835-1916

Thankful Thursday

I have a cold today...a miserable one that's really laid me low, praise God. Now, I know you think that's a pretty strange thing to be thanking God for but hear me out on this one.

What I am really thanking God for today is His omniscience. He is all-knowing and that knowledge includes His knowledge of me. He made me! And I am an introvert and a homebody! I've learned to temper those qualities over the years but I still need more alone time than many other people I know and my most satisfying alone time is spent at home.

But I've had various people in the house for the last 10 days or so working on this electrical project. People, nice as could be but...they are not even friends let alone family members!

Yesterday marked the end of phase one on the project and we get a few days off until the power company gets the approved inspection and schedules their part of the job. I did have some commitments today and tomorrow but God in His infinite knowledge of me and His loving kindness forced me to cancel them and stay home. In fact, He made the cold of enough magnitude to force me to rest at home!

I've been thinking of Psalm 139 today, a psalm that praises our Lord for His omniscience. Here it is in its entirety:

O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

⁵ You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

¹¹ If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

¹⁸ Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.

²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?

²² I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

But it is verse five that I am especially meditating on today. You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. I needed that hemming today. I needed the shepherding that He provided for me, His stupid sheep that probably would not have done what was best for herself, canceling commitments and taking a day of rest, without His tender care. I'm praising God for His hand upon me!

Each Thursday of this year, I am joining with Kim of The Upward Call and others in giving thanks to our loving God for the good gifts He gives us. Won't you join us?

Sunday's Hymn: My God and Father, Day by Day

My God and Father, day by day,
Far from my home in life's rough way,
O teach me from my heart to say,
"Thy will be done."

Though dark my path and sad my lot,
Let me be still and murmur not,
Or breathe the prayer divinely taught,
"Thy will be done."

What though in lonely grief I sigh
For friends belov'd, no longer nigh,
Submissive still would I reply,
"Thy will be done."

If thou shouldst call me to resign
What most I prize, it ne'er was mine;
I only yield thee what was thine,
"Thy will be done."

Let but my fainting heart be blest
With thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God, to thee I leave the rest:
"Thy will be done."

Charlotte Elliott, 1834
Tune: Almsgiving, John B. Dykes, 1823-1876

Thankful Thursday

Once again, I am thanking God for something I previously took for granted--hot water at a turn of the faucet. Our electrical project has been added onto. We're having a gas line run to the back patio since we have a ditch dug already for the new underground electric service. The gas line is so we can have a natural gas grill back there instead of relying on our old charcoal grill. So today the gas had to be turned off to do some of that work. That meant that the dishes couldn't be washed in hot water unless I boiled it in the electric teakettle or heated it in the microwave. A minor inconvenience but one I noticed. Thank God the gas is back on in time for hot showers tonight after doing some refilling of ditches and replanting of moved plants.

I don't have my gas dryer back yet and probably won't for a couple more days but, since I generally do laundry as it accumulates and never have much of a backlog, that's not such an inconvenience. So for today its that hot running water that I'm especially thanking God for.

Kim of The Upward Call and several others of us are posting our thankfulness to God each Thursday of this year. Won't you join us?

Charlie...

...really didn't want to get up this morning.

Sunday's Hymn: Father, I Know That All My LIfe

Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me;
The changes that are sure to come,
I do not fear to see:
I ask thee for a present mind,
Intent on pleasing thee.

I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child,
And guided where I go.

I ask thee for the daily strength,
To none that ask denied,
A mind to blend with outward life,
While keeping at thy side,
Content to fill a little space,
If thou be glorified.

In service which thy will appoints
There are no bonds for me;
My secret heart is taught the truth
That makes thy children free;
A life of self-renouncing love
Is one of liberty.

Anna L. Waring, 1850
Tune: Morwellham, Charles Steggall, 1826-1905

Thankful Thursday

We're getting some much needed electrical work done on the cottage. I won't bore you with the details but its a major project undertaken for safety concerns and its rather expensive. This week I am feeling especially thankful that God has provided not only the money to do this project but also a contractor whom we have confidence in. Some outside digging is necessary and the vacillation of spring weather has slowed that aspect of the project down a little this week but its begun and I'm looking forward to the completion of the work.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 4:19

Each Thursday of 2010, I am joining with Kim of the Upward Call and many others in giving thanks to our God for His good gifts. We'd love to have you join us!

Sunday's Hymn: How Calm and Beautiful the Morn

How calm and beautiful the morn
That gilds the sacred tomb,
Where Christ the crucified was borne,
And veiled in midnight gloom!
O weep no more the Saviour slain;
The Lord is ris'n; he lives again.

Ye mourning saints, dry ev'ry tear
For your departed Lord;
Behold the place, he is not here,
The tomb is all unbarred;
The gates of heath were closed in vain:
The Lord is ris'n; he lives again.

Now cheerful to the house of prayer
Your early footsteps bend;
The Saviour will himself be there,
Your Advocate and Friend:
Once by the law your hopes were slain,
But now in Christ ye live again.

How tranquil now the rising day!
'Tis Jesus still appears,
A risen Lord to chase away
Your unbelieving fears:
O weep no more your comforts slain;
The Lord is ris'n; he lives again.

And when the shades of evening fall,
When life's last hour draws nigh,
If Jesus shine upon the soul,
How blissful then to die!
Since he has ris'n that once was slain,
Ye die in Christ to live again.

Thomas Hastings, 1831
Tune: Hastings, Thomas Hastings, 1831

Thankful Thursday

The one thing that I am most thankful for this week is the visit of old friends to our church on Sunday. These "old friends" are actually a young family. We became acquainted in the days before we had a regular man to fill our pulpit each Sunday. This young man, Rich, was one who often came to preach for us. It was great fun to see him and his wife and their little son again and to meet their seven month old daughter for the first time.

Rich is an excellent preacher and I've always enjoyed his sermons but this past Sunday's has had me contemplating it all week. The sermon text was a familiar one, John 2:1-11, the story of the wedding at Cana where Jesus changes water into wine. But Rich compared the wedding described in the gospel of John, the wedding that occurred under the law, with the wedding of the Lamb, the wedding feast yet to come at which Christ takes the church as His bride, the wedding described in Revelation 19. He compared the water that was in the stone jars to be used for purification under Jewish law with the wine that replaced it, the wine of the gospel. He pointed out that there were six stone jars, one short of the perfect number 7, just as the Mosaic economy is one removed from the New Covenant that replaced it. The act of Jesus in changing the purification water into wine, about 125 gallons of the "best wine", reveals His abundant grace as well as the inadequacy of the Mosaic economy in cleansing us from sin. Only the person and work of Jesus Christ can atone for our filthy sins and make us righteous and clean before God. And Jesus points to that future time, the time mentioned in Revelation 19, when we as His bride will wear the clean linen of righteousness as we are fully united with Him, by saying "My time has not yet come" in John 2:4.

I've been studying the book of Revelation in depth this year, for the first time. Revelation 1:3 says "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." God's blessings to me have been abundant throughout the study. A perfect example is having this sermon of Rich's fall in the week of my study of Revelation 19. As Rich commented when I told him of this timing, "We know the Spirit is always at work and sometimes we get to see it." I am overflowing with thankfulness this week!

I'm joining with Kim of the Upward Call and several other bloggers in posting my gratitude to God for His goodness to me each Thursday in 2010. Won't you join us?

Sunday's Hymn: There is a Fountain Filled With Blood

There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there have I, as vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.

E'er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.

Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power,
Till all the ransomed church of God
Be saved, to sin no more.

William Cowper, 1771
Tune: Fountain, Lowell Mason, 1830

Thankful Thursday

This week God has given me such joy in His call to serve Him in a particular way. He has called me to return to leadership in a woman's Bible study this fall and I couldn't be more happy about it!

You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
~Psalm 16:11

Kim of the Upward Call is posting her thankful thoughts each Thursday of 2010 and I am joining her, along with several others. Please share your praises to God this week too!

Sunday's Hymn: Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power

Blessing and honor and glory and power,
Wisdom and riches and strength evermore
Give ye to him who our battle hath won,
Whose are the Kingdom, the crown, and the throne.

Soundeth the heav'n of the heav'ns with his Name;
Ringeth the earth with his glory and fame;
Oceans and mountain, stream, forest, and flower
Echo his praises and tell of his power.

Ever ascendeth the song and the joy;
Ever descendeth the love from on high;
Blessing and honor and glory and praise—
This is the theme of the hymns that we raise.

Give we the glory and praise to the Lamb;
Take we the robe and the harp and the palm;
Sing we the song of the Lamb that was slain,
Dying in weakness, but rising to reign.

Horatius Bonar, 1866, alt.
Tune: O Quanta Qualia, Le Feillee's Methode du Plain Chant, 1808

First Day of Spring at the Cottage

The snowdrops:

The crocuses:

33 degrees and snowing.

Who Knew?

Guess what I just found out? March is National Crochet Month! Who knew such a thing was celebrated? Not me, but I do love to crochet. Its kind of like drinking tea in a way...calms me down when I'm upset, enhances clearer thinking, that sort of thing.


My current project is this afghan. Its a wedding present for a dear niece.

So, any other crocheters out there? Hold those hooks high and let's share our current projects!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a week of warmer sunny days that have allowed Charlie and me to do quite a bit of walking. I'm thankful that Charlie, despite being 14 years old, still wants to go for a walk every time he sees me put a sweater or jacket on...if its not snowy or rainy, that is. And I'm thankful that I am able to do the walking too and that through these walks, God has shown me just how much my hip has healed since late last fall. Thank you, Lord!!!

I am thankful for spring flowers!

I am thankful for the gift of a friend who listens to me with more than just her ears.

And finally, I am thankful for the opportunities God gives me to serve Him.

Every Thursday of 2010, I am joining Kim of The Upward Call and others in thanking God for His good gifts to me. Won't you join in too?

An Irish Quote

Wherever they went the Irish brought
with them their books, many unseen in
Europe for centuries and tied to their
waists as signs of triumph, just as Irish
heroes had once tied to their waists their
enemies heads. Wherever they went they
brought their love of learning and their
skills in bookmaking. In the bays and
valleys of their exile, they reestablished
literacy and breathed new life into the
exhausted literary culture of Europe.
~Thomas Cahill

Spring at the Lake Shore

The ice is melted back about two feet by the shore of Crystal Lake except for the thin, clear patches around rocks and branches. If you look out across the entire lake, its the right color for water but its still substantial ice with a rough surface. That makes it look almost like the water in an oil painting...the right color, almost the right surface texture, but unmoving.

I took these pictures at noon today on the walk we shared (Charlie came too!) while Andy was on his lunch hour from working at home. That was about four hours ago. The temperature now is 65 degrees! And its sunny! It won't look like this much longer!

Spring Flower Number Two!

Lovely Snowdrops

They first poked up around the lingering snow almost two weeks ago but today, they are fully in bloom. And so welcome! Perfect on this beautiful sunny afternoon after a week of intermittent rain. While snow is not completely out of the realm of possibility for our area yet, these lovely little snowdrops are, for me, the declaration of spring!

Sunday's Hymn: Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious

Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious;
See the Man of Sorrows now;
From the fight returned victorious,
Ev'ry knee to him shall bow:
Crown him! crown him!
Crowns become the Victor's brow.

Crown the Saviour, angels, crown him;
Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
In the seat of pow'r enthrone him,
While the vault of heaven rings:
Crown him! crown him!
Crown the Saviour King of kings.

Sinners in derision crowned him
Mocking thus the Saviour's claim;
Saints and angels crowd around him,
Own his title, praise his Name:
Crown him! crown him!
Spread abroad the Victor's fame!

Hark! those bursts of acclamation!
Hark! those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station;
O what joy the sight affords!
Crown him! crown him!
King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Thomas Kelly, 1809
Tune: Coronae, William H. Monk, 1871

Thankful Thursday

Its been rainy every day this week so far but it is warm rain. Yesterday's high was close to 60 degrees! I'm thankful for the warmer weather and I'm thankful for the rain. I'm thankful that the rain has washed away much of our dirty snow as well as a great deal of the winter grime from our cars.

I'm also thankful for the occasional bits of sunshine peeking through the clouds every day this week. Sunshine on a rainy day is especially welcome!

And I'm thankful to have finished doing our income taxes today! Not my favorite job but it falls on my side of the division of labor in our household and really that's okay.

Oh, and I am especially thankful for dear friends that feel like family! And the addition of their sweet little granddaughter to our church!

God is so good! There is always so much to praise and thank Him for! Kim from The Upward Call and several others (including me!) are sharing in thanksgiving to Him each Thursday of this year. Please join us!

Sunday's Hymn: All Glory Be to Thee, Most High

All glory be to thee, Most High,
To thee all adoration;
In grace and truth thou drawest nigh
To offer us salvation;
Thou showest thy good will to men,
And peace shall reign on earth again;
We praise thy Name for ever.

We praise, we worship thee, we trust,
And give thee thanks for ever,
O Father, for thy rule is just
And wise, and changes never;
Thy hand almighty o'er us reigns,
Thou doest what thy will ordains;
'Tis well for us thou rulest.

O Jesus Christ, our God and Lord,
Son of the Heavenly Father,
O thou who hast our peace restored,
The straying sheep dost gather,
Thou Lamb of God, to thee on high
Out of the depths we sinners cry:
Have mercy on us, Jesus!

O Holy Spirit, precious gift,
Thou Comforter unfailing,
From Satan's snares our souls uplift,
And let thy power, availing,
Avert our woes and calm our dread.
For us the Saviour's blood was shed;
We trust in thee to save us.

Tr. from German version of Latin hymn, Gloria in Excelsis
Tune: Allein Gott In Der Hoh'
Geistliche Lieder, Leipzig, 1539
Arr. by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, 1809-1847

Thankful Thursday

I've got a list of things that I'm thankful for today!

1. I'm thankful that Andy was able to work from home again this past Tuesday. That's the usual routine but the last couple of weeks saw one complication after another arise for him at work which translated to his having to go in to the office on those days. So I especially enjoyed having lunch with him at home this past Tuesday.
   
2. I'm thankful for my dear friend, Kim! She and I have the best conversations and share many similar interests and points of view. But most importantly, she's a dear sister in Christ who spurs me on to love and good deeds.
   
3. I'm thankful for Emily and her willingness to help with whatever is needing to be done. She helps Andy with snow removal every time it snows, especially since my hip has been so painful. Yesterday, we cleaned house together in preparation for prayer meeting last night. And she faithfully takes Charlie out several times a day. But its not just the labor that I'm thankful for. I'm thankful because she does it out of a loving spirit of service.
4. And I'm thankful for warmer temperatures and sunny days this week. Today it was 42 degrees when Charlie and I took a nice, lingering walk around the neighborhood. Spring is really coming!

What are you thankful for today? I am joining Kim of the Upward Call and several others in posting the things I'm thankful for each Thursday of this year. Please join us in giving glory to God for His good gifts to us.

Spring is on the Way!

Andy just came up to take a tea break from work a little while ago and spotted these snowdrops beginning to emerge between the cottage and the receding snow. To us, they are the first sign that spring is really on its way to our part of the world! A very welcome sign, a might add!

Sunday's Hymn: Thou, Whose Almighty Word

Thou, whose almighty word
Chaos and darkness heard,
And took their flight,
Hear us, we humbly pray;
And, where the gospel's day
Sheds not its glorious ray,
Let there be light.

Thou, who didst come to bring
On thy redeeming wing
Healing and sight,
Health to the sick in mind,
Sight to the inly blind,
O now to all mankind
Let there be light.

Spirit of truth and love,
Lifegiving, holy Dove,
Speed forth thy flight;
Move o'er the waters' face,
Bearing the lamp of grace
And in earth's darkest place
Let there be light.

Holy and blessed Three,
Glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, Love, Might!
Boundless as ocean's tide,
Rolling in fullest pride
Through the world far and wide
Let there be light.

John Marriott, c. 1813; st. 4, line 1, alt.
Tune: Denbigh, Welch melody

Thankful Thursday

This week, we've experienced the return of normal sleep patterns! That's because there is already marked improvement in Charlie's sarcoptic mange. He is so much more comfortable and that means we are too! Thank you, Lord!

I'm also finding myself thanking God for the conviction of sin through scripture this week. Conviction of sin may seem like an odd thing to be thankful for but I want to experience the forgiveness that comes with true repentance. I want the fellowship with God that follows. I want the progressive sanctification too. I am so very thankful for what Jesus Christ has done for me!

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. ~I John 1:5-10

There are so many more good gifts from God that I am thankful for but these are the two that are at the forefront of my mind this day.

I'm joining Kim of the Upward Call and several others in posting my thankfulness each Thursday of this year. Won't you join us?

Another Winter Day

Wet snow, the kind we get when its just below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, makes the prettiest pictures! Don't you think so?

Sunday's Hymn: Praise Ye, Praise Ye the Lord

Praise ye, praise ye the Lord
In yonder heav'nly height;
Ye angels, all his hosts,
In joyful praise unite;
O sun and moon, declare his might,
Show forth his praise, ye stars of light.

Praise him, ye highest heav'ns,
Praise him, ye clouds that roll,
Created by his pow'r
And under his control,
Ye heavens that stand eternally,
Established by his firm decree.

Ye creatures in the sea
And creatures on the earth,
Your mighty Maker praise
And tell his matchless worth;
Praise him, ye stormy winds that blow,
Ye fire and hail, ye rain and snow.

Ye hills and mountains, praise,
Each tree and beast and bird;
Ye kings and realms of earth,
Now let your praise be heard;
By high and low, by young and old,
Be all his praise and glory told.

By all let God be praised,
For he alone is great;
Above the earth and heav'n
He reigns in glorious state;
Praise him, ye saints, who know his grace
And ever dwell before his face.

From Psalm 148, The Psalter, 1912
Tune: Columbia, Leonard Cooper Blanton, 1951

Thankful Thursday

I have so much to be thankful for today...and every day, truth be told! But today....Andy comes home! He only left on Tuesday morning but I'm so thankful that by tonight, he'll be home. If the flight is on time, he'll join Emily and me for dinner at the usual time.

I'm also thanking God for a clear diagnosis for Charlie's skin problem...at last. It appears that he has picked up sarcoptic mange from the wild foxes in our neighborhood. I've certainly enjoyed seeing those beautiful red creatures trot down the sidewalk in the past but I'll be viewing them with different eyes from now on. But I am praising God that this is a problem that has a clear-cut cure. Our fear was that Charlie would prove to be allergic to his food, his prescription food that prevents the formation of bladder stones. So believe it or not, sarcoptic mange is a "good" diagnosis for Charlie. Our nights of interrupted sleep are coming to a close in the near future, Lord willing.

Its 36 sunny degrees (Fahrenheit, that is) here in Crystal Lake, IL today and I just came back from a short walk with Charlie. It was such a pleasant walk with the edges of the snow melting and revealing the muddy grass by the driveways and sidewalks. Spring is in the air! Thank you, Lord! And thank you, Lord, too, that I could take that short walk and enjoy it without experiencing any pain in my hip! The bursitis does still cause pain at times but yesterday my orthopedic doctor gave me another cortisone shot in that hip and this one seems to be helping more than the last one. I pray it lasts.

What good gifts are you thanking our God for today? Why not join Kim at the Upward Call and several others of us who are praising Him for His provisions each Thursday of this year.

Update: Its 3:00PM now and the outdoor thermometer says 41 degrees!! Woohoo!!

Sunday's Hymn: Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed

Alas! and did my Saviour bleed,
And did my Sovereign die!
Would he devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I!

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree!
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died
For man the creature's sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While his dear cross appears;
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt mine eyes in tears.

But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do

Isaac Watts, 1707
Tune: Martyrdom, Hugh Wilson, c. 1800

Lemon Chicken Rice Soup

Here it is...the recipe for the soup I made last night. Kim and Sam liked it and so did we!

8 cups chicken broth
2 chicken flavored bouillon cubes
1/2 cup uncooked regular rice
1/2 cup thin sliced carrots
1/3 cup finely chopped green onion (The original recipe called for finely chopped celery but Andy is not too crazy about celery and I had green onion on hand so I substituted that instead.)
1/3 cup finely chopped white onion
1 1/2 cup cubed cooked chicken
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
3 eggs
2 tablespoons lemon juice
salt and pepper

1. In a large pot, combine chicken broth, bouillon cubes, rice, carrots, green onion (or celery) and white onion. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice and vegetables are tender. Stir in chicken. Remove from heat.

2. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour. Cook one minute stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly. Gradually stir in 2 cups broth mixture. Cook until slightly thickened stirring constantly.

3. In a small bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Gradually beat in lemon juice and two cups thickened broth mixture. Slowly add to large soup pot stirring constantly.

4. Heat gently until soup thickens. Do not boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

Thankful Thursday

Its been a beautiful sunny winter day here at the cottage! The sky is blue, blue, blue and the fresh snow from earlier in the week just sparkles. Yesterday and the day before were full of unanticipated problems, big and small...the kind of things that mark our lives this side of eternity. But they've been dealt with and today I was able to focus on the fun of having Kim and Sam join us for supper tonight. The house is clean, I've shopped and have the ingredients all prepared and in the fridge for a new recipe....Lemon Chicken Rice Soup. I'll share it, if its good.

So this afternoon, I am thanking God for His blessing of good friends to share a simple meal with; the kind of friends that feel like family sitting around the table; the kind I can try a new recipe on without trepidation.

I'm also thanking Him for His presence and His guidance and His strength as we face life's challenges, big and small.

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.~Psalm 46:1

I'm joining Kim of the Upward Call and others in giving thanks to God each Thursday of this year of 2010. Won't you join us?

Early Morning Tremblor

Charlie is still uncomfortably in the throws of this dermatitis. We got in a couple of nights of not taking him outside during the night. Instead, I was able to calm him down so we could all fall asleep again. But now we're back to getting up with him a time or two each night. I think the cold, and especially the rolling on the cold snow, helps with the itching.

But last night (or should I say "a couple of hours ago"), he became restless and got us up to take him out at 4 A.M. Andy, bless him, did the honors so I was still in bed but wide awake when there was a rumbling and the whole house shook. It made me nervous that the two of them were outside because it was similar to the sensation when a large amount of snow (we got just about one foot of new snow yesterday and into last night) slides off the aluminum roof of the cottage...but not quite. I came downstairs to meet them at the door and Andy thought it was snow coming off the other side of the cottage.

I dried Charlie off and took him into Emily's bed, his usual early morning haunt, and asked her what she felt or heard. Nothing.

We went back to bed (couldn't sleep though) for the next hour but promptly when we got up at 5AM, I checked the local news. Yes, an earthquake occurred just about 35 miles southeast of us in Sycamore, IL! 4.3 on the Richter scale! Felt as far away as Indiana and Kentucky!

I've heard that dogs have a sense of impending storms and seek shelter before they hit. Do you suppose that could have been Charlie's excuse for restlessness this morning and it wasn't the dermatitis after all? I'm hoping.

Update: The U.S. Geological Survey has downgraded the earthquake to 3.8 but determined that the epicenter was actually the village of Gilberts, IL which is about 10 miles due south of Crystal Lake, IL.

Sunday's Hymn: I Belong to Jesus

I belong to Jesus;
I am not my own;
All I have and all I am,
Shall be his alone.

I belong to Jesus;
He is Lord and King,
Reigning in my inmost heart,
Over ev'rything.

I belong to Jesus;
Blessed, blessed thought!
With his own most precious blood
Has my soul been bought.

I belong to Jesus;
He has died for me;
I am his and he is mine,
Through eternity.

I belong to Jesus;
He will keep my soul,
When the deathly waters dark
Round about me roll.

I belong to Jesus;
And ere long I'll stand
With my precious Saviour there
In the glory land.

M. Fraser
Dedication, M.A. Sea

Thankful Thursday

There's nothing like losing something you once had to make you yearn for it with thankfulness. That's how I am feeling about a good night's sleep right now. Poor Charlie is suffering from some sort of skin affliction and its making him scratch and lick and bite and chew himself in an effort to relieve the itching. Its most likely an allergy of some sort and we have a really good vet who is making every effort to track down the likely culprit. In the meantime, she's tried several medications to minimize the discomfort for Charlie...and us. I really, really mean that "and us" part because we do love Charlie but also because he sleeps with Andy and me at night. And if he's not sleeping because he is so restless, then we aren't either. And there's been several "we aren't either" nights lately.

So I'm not of a mind to take those nights when we have slept well for granted. I am thankful that God in His wisdom made night and day and that He intended us to be refreshed and rested in a good night's sleep. And I am so thankful when I get it.

when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.~Prov. 3:24

Each Thursday of this year, I am joining Kim of the Upward Call and several others in praising God with thanksgiving for His provisions to us. Why not join us?

Cardamom Shortbread

I brought these cookies to our church fellowship dinner last night and Kim really liked them. They are not the really sweet kind of shortbread; more the melt-in-your-mouth buttery kind. Perfect with a nice, hot cup of Earl Grey/Irish Breakfast blend! I think I'll put them on the menu at my Tea House.


1/3 cup sugar
1 cup butter
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons cardamom
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9 X 13 inch pan with foil so it extends over the sides. Spray foil with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, combine sugar and butter and beat until light and fluffy. Add all remaining ingredients and mix well. Dough will be crumbly. Press into the bottom of the foil-lined pan.

Bake for 24 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Cut shortbread while warm and remove from pan by lifting foil. Cool completely (about 15 minutes).

If preferred, you can make the dough in two 9 inch pie pans and cut into wedges. You may need to shorten the baking time by a few minutes.