Thankful Thursday

Andy gave me the gift of an iPad this past Saturday! Can you believe it? I'm still incredulous myself! I've got a long ways to go on the learning curve but, wow! That about sums it up! Maybe that's too many exclamation marks...no, I don't think so.

And, listen to this. I normally use my laptop to post to my blog but there is a major, multiple day problem going on for some Blogger users including me. But here I am, posting from my iPad, using an app called Blogpress and smiling all the time.

And Charlie is smiling too because he's so much more comfortable sleeping on my lap without my continual effort to reach over him to use the laptop.

So, yes, today I am thankful for this fun, new gadget but even more I am thankful for a loving husband who persisted in telling me how much I would enjoy it. Need I say he was right?

What good gift are you thanking our gracious God for today? Please do share!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon each: lemon zest, poppy seeds
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, beaten
8 oz. lemon yogurt (I used 8 oz. vanilla yogurt plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine flour, sugar, lemon zest, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients and set aside.

Stir together beaten egg, yogurt, vegetable oil and vanilla in medium bowl. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients mixing only until just moistened. Batter will be lumpy.

Spoon batter into greased or paper-lined muffin tins, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until muffins are golden brown, about 18-20 minutes. Cool in pan for 5 minutes.

Mix 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar with 3 teaspoons lemon juice in a small bowl to make a glaze. Remove muffins to cooling rack and drizzle with glaze. Serve warm.

Sunday's Hymn: Teach Me, O Lord, Thy Holy Way

Teach me, O Lord, thy holy way
And give me an obedient mind;
That in thy service I may find
My soul's delight from day to day.

Guide me, O Saviour, with thy hand,
And so control my thoughts and deeds,
That I may tread the path which leads
Right onward to the blessed land.

Help me, O Saviour, here to trace
The sacred footsteps thou hast trod;
And, meekly walking with my God,
To grow in goodness, truth, and grace.

Guard me, O Lord, that I may ne'er
Forsake the right, or do the wrong:
Against temptation make me strong,
And round me spread thy shelt'ring care.

Bless me in ev'ry task, O Lord,
Begun, continued, done for thee:
Fulfil thy perfect work in me;
And thine abounding grace afford.

William T. Matson, 1866
Tune: Penitence, St. Albans Tune Book, 1875

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that today was warmer and sunnier than its been but definitely not too hot. I think I'm in that stage of life where my comfortable temperature range varies by only a degree or two either way and today was practically perfect in that regard.

I'm also thankful for my "new" kitchen. I'm thankful for Andy's willingness to help redesign it and then acquire and install the upgrades. Its a joy to work in now!

And I'm thankful for this truth spoken by our God to His people in Isaiah 49:16a:

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands

It makes His promise to never leave me nor forsake me penetrate my heart with even deeper meaning.

Kitchen Improvements: Phase IV

Phase IV, the final phase of the kitchen improvement project is now complete! Here is the unveiling of a beautiful stainless steel pot rack hanging over the Boos Block!
What a difference it makes! The pots and pans are so much easier to grab as needed. Now I just have to decide how to utilize the new found cabinet space to its maximum advantage.

The entire kitchen improvement project cost about $2500.00. That's not cheap but its still a fraction of what an actual kitchen remodel would have cost and I know I'm happier with the outcome. My kitchen went from looking nice but not so workable to very comfortable to work in and I really love how it looks too! I am so pleased!

A View of Mt. Hood

As seen through the window of the plane on my recent trip to Oregon

Sunday's Hymn: How Precious is the Book Divine

How precious is the book divine,
By inspiration given,
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine,
To guide our souls to heav'n.

It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts,
In this dark vale of tears;
Life, light and joy it still imparts
And quells our rising fears.

This lamp, through all the tedious night
Of life, shall guide our way,
Till we behold the clearer light
Of an eternal day.

John Fawcett, 1782
Tune: Belmont, Arr. from William Gardiner, 1812

Sunday's Hymn: Shout, For the Blessed Jesus Reigns

Shout, for the blessed Jesus reigns;
Through distant lands his triumphs spread;
And sinners, freed from endless pains,
Own him their Saviour and their Head.

He calls his chosen from afar,
They all at Zion's gates arrive;
Those who were dead in sin before
By sovereign grace are made alive.

Gentiles and Jews his laws obey;
Nations remote their off'rings bring,
And unconstrained their homage pay
To their exalted God and King.

O may his holy church increase,
His Word and Spirit still prevail,
While angels celebrate his praise,
And saints his growing glories hail.

Loud hallelujahs to the Lamb,
From all below, and all above!
In lofty songs exalt his Name,
In songs as lasting as his love.

Benjamin Beddome, 1769
Tune: Truro, Psalmodia Evengelica, 1789

Thankful Thursday

I'm still here in Oregon thanking God for this very special time that He arranged for me and Mary to be together. I'm also thankful for the graciousness of Andy and Emily and my dear friend, Kim, who have each stepped in to take over various aspects of my day to day work at home so I could be here. And although this trip has been primarily one of "sister time," I've seen so many other precious members of my family and I do thank God for each one of them. I am blessed!

Sunday's Hymn: Who is This That Comes from Edom

Who is this that comes from Edom,
All his raiment stained with blood;
To the slave proclaiming freedom;
Bringing and bestowing good:
Glorious in the garb he wears,
Glorious in the spoils he bears?

'Tis the Saviour, now victorious,
Trav'ling onward in his might;
'Tis the Saviour, O how glorious
To his people is the sight!
Jesus now is strong to save,
Mighty to redeem the slave.

Why that blood his raiment staining?
'Tis the blood of many slain;
Of his foes there's none remaining,
None the contest to maintain:
Fall'n they are, no more to rise,
All their glory prostrate lies.

Mighty Victor, reign for ever,
Wear the crown so dearly won;
Never shall thy people, never
Cease to sing what thou hast done:
Thou hast fought thy people's foes;
Thou wilt heal thy people's woes.

Thomas Kelly, 1809
Tune: Edom, Albert L. Peace, 1885

Thankful...

...Friday. But this time I have a good reason for not getting my thankfulness posted on Thursday. I was flying out to visit my sister, Mary, and other family members in Portland, Oregon!

So today I am thankful for God's protection of my travels as well as my family members here, each one of them. Of course, Andy and Emily and Charlie are on my mind too! I miss them! And that sense of separation from them makes me ever so thankful for them too!

Cowboy Coffee Cake

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups brown sugar
2/3 cup softened butter
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup sour milk
2 well-beaten eggs

Combine flour, salt, sugar and butter; mix until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup mixture.

To remaining crumbs, add baking powder, baking soda and spices; mix thoroughly. Add milk and eggs; mix well. Pour into 9 X 13 inch greased pan. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Chopped nuts or cinnamon may be sprinkled over crumbs.

Bake in 375 degrees Fahrenheit oven for approximately 30 minutes. Test for doneness with toothpick.

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

I am so thankful for the truth of this passage from Hebrews 10:

⁸ First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). ⁹ Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

More April Snow

April 18, 2011

Sunday's Hymn: Arise, O God, and Shine

Arise, O God, and shine
In all thy saving might,
And prosper each design
To spread thy glorious light:
Let healing streams of mercy flow,
That all the earth thy truth may know.

Bring distant nations near
To sing thy glorious praise;
Let ev'ry people hear
And learn thy holy ways:
Reign, mighty God, assert thy cause,
And govern by thy righteous laws.

Send forth thy glorious pow'r,
That Gentiles all may see,
And earth present her store
In converts born to thee:
God, our own God, thy church O bless,
And fill the world with righteousness.

To God, the only wise,
The one immortal King,
Let hallelujahs rise
From ev'ry living thing:
Let all that breathe, on ev'ry coast,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

William Hurn, 1813, alt.
Tune: Lischer, Arr. from F.J.C. Schneider by Lowell Mason, 1841

April Snow

See that white stuff in front of our neighbor's fence?

And Andy thought it would be safe to put the snow blower away after the 15th!

Bloggers Meet!

What a wonderful evening we had with Kim and Neil and Kim and Tom last night!!! The gathering fully met my expectations and more!! Kim of Hiraeth was the perfect hostess (no surprise there) and the conversation flowed as we talked and laughed our way through the evening. I couldn't believe how fast the time went! We did manage to get a few pictures but I think we were all more interested in talking and visiting and maximizing our time together in that way than capturing the moment visually. All three of us gave our cameras to our hubbies and they caught a few snaps while we sat on the couch with Kim's Ivy...who was not going to be left out of the fun! I'm anxious to see the pictures Kim and Kim post but I love the way these shots capture the dog lover in all three of us.


We were out later than usual, especially for a week night, and Andy and I were dragging this morning at 5:00 but it was well worth it...for both of us! I didn't think to take any pictures of the guys but I did notice that the conversation didn't lag at their end of the table or side of the living room either. Neil's parting words were an invitation to visit them in Ontario. Now wouldn't that be fun!!!

Thankful Thursday

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to meet friend and fellow blogger Kim of The Upward Call today!!!! She is in Chicago this week for the Gospel Coalition Conference and tonight we're having dinner with Kim and her husband, Neil, at the home of my real-life, dearest friend, Kim from Hiraeth. I'm so excited!!! God is so gracious to give us friends with whom we can share our thoughts and joys and disappointments in life. I've been blessed with both real-life and cyber-friends in abundance but today I am especially thankful to Him for the Kims in my life.

Apricot Preserve Filled Whole Wheat Muffins

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 beaten egg
1 8-oz. carton sour cream
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1/4 cup apricot preserves (peach is yummy too)

Line muffin pan with 12 muffin papers. Set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

In medium bowl, stir together all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Make a well in center of dry mixture.

In another medium bowl, combine egg, sour cream and oil. Add all at once to dry mixture. Stir until just moistened. Fold in pecans, if desired.

Spoon about half of the batter into prepared muffin pan, filling each cup 1/3 full. Top each with one teaspoon of apricot preserves. Then top with remaining batter, filling each cup 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden. Cool muffin pan on wire rack for five minutes. Remove muffins from pan. Serve warm. Lovely with a nice hot cuppa!

Sunday's Hymn: O Day of Rest and Gladness

O day of rest and gladness,
O day of joy and light,
O balm of care and sadness,
Most beautiful, most bright;
On thee the high and lowly,
Through ages joined in tune,
Sing Holy, Holy, Holy,
To the great God Triune,

On thee, at the creation,
The light first had its birth;
On thee, for our salvation,
Christ rose from depths of earth;
On thee our Lord, victorious,
The Spirit sent from heav'n;
And thus on thee, most glorious,
A triple light was giv'n.

Thou art a port protected
From storms that round us rise;
A garden intersected
With streams of Paradise;
Thou art a cooling fountain
In life's dry, dreary sand;
From thee, like Pisgah's mountain,
We view the promised land.

Today on weary nations
The heav'nly manna falls;
To holy convocations
The silver trumpet calls,
Where gospel light is glowing
With pure and radiant beams,
And living water flowing
With soul-refreshing streams.

New graces ever gaining
From this our day of rest,
We reach the rest remaining
To spirits of the blest.
To Holy Ghost be praises,
To Father and to Son;
The church her voice upraises
To thee, blest Three in One.

Christopher Wordsworth,1862
Tune: Mendebras, Arr. from a German melody by Lowell Mason, 1839

Kitchen Improvements: Phase III

We've completed Phase III of our kitchen improvement project and I'm ready for the unveiling!

But first, the "before" pictures. The kitchen has this pale striped wallpaper on the wall between the counter top and the cabinets as well as under the window and on the soffit above the cabinets.
Its been here from before we moved in but I like it...all except for the part between the kitchen sink and the window. Why would anyone put wallpaper in that back splash area? Must have been someone who never washed dishes. Predictably, the wallpaper was peeling back there and the sheet rock underneath was in danger from the moisture.

Because I like the wallpaper and because of the complications involving the shape of the molding under the window sill and the book shelves to the left of the window, we decided that only the part between the window and the sink area had to be redone. After several visits to the big box home improvement stores, we decided to go with a thermoplastic material made to look like metal. The brand name is Fasade. It comes in a number of patterns and finishes. Our choice is called hammered and its in a brushed nickel finish. Naturally, it was not available in our local stores, not even as a special order. But we found it online from this site. It came quickly and I stripped that area of wallpaper in a couple of hours just one week ago today. The next morning, it took a few hours for Andy and me to formulate a plan of action and get the pieces fastened up with Liquid Nails but we enjoyed gazing at the result of our labors over lunch.

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for so many things today!

• I'm thankful for a quiet walk this morning. I'm thankful for extra time to pray and think and reflect on God's goodness.
• I'm thankful for my kind and loving husband, Andy.
• I'm thankful for my thoughtful daughter, Emily.
• I'm thankful for our sweet little Charlie.
• And God's provision of unexpected patches of sunshine too.
• I am thankful.

Sunday's Hymn: My Soul in Silence Waits for God

My soul in silence waits for God,
My Saviour he has proved;
He only is my Rock and Tow'r;
I never shall be moved.

My honor is secure with God,
My Saviour he is known;
My Refuge and my Rock of strength
Are found in God alone.

On him, ye people, evermore
Rely with confidence;
Before him pour ye out your heart,
For God is our defense.

For God has spoken o'er and o'er,
And unto me has shown,
That saving pow'r and lasting strength
Belong to him alone.

Yea, lovingkindness evermore
Belongs to thee, O Lord;
And thou according to his work
Dost ev'ry man reward.

From Psalm 62, The Psalter, 1912
Tune: Howard, Wilson's Selection of Psalm Tunes, 1825

Thankful Thursday....

...a day late again. But I'm still thankful.

I'm thankful for sunshine and warmer temperatures yesterday.

I'm thankful for family, both what the world considers family and my family through Christ.

And I'm thankful for the truth in these words from Isaiah 55:

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I am thankful.

Sunday's Hymn: Here From the World We Turn

Here from the world we turn, Jesus to seek;
Here may his loving voice tenderly speak!
Jesus, our dearest Friend, while at thy feet we bend,
O let thy smile descend! 'Tis thee we seek.

Come, Holy Comforter, Presence Divine,
Now in our longing hearts graciously shine;
O for thy mighty pow'r! O for a blessed show'r,
Filling this hallowed hour with joy divine!

Saviour, thy work revive: here may we see
Those who are dead in sin quickened by thee;
Come to our hearts tonight, make ev'ry burden light;
Cheer thou our waiting sight; we long for thee.

Fanny J. Crosby, 1876
Tune: Cambria, Welsh hymn melody, from the Bristol Tune Book, 1876

Kitchen Improvements: Phase II

Phase II of the kitchen improvements had to be a way to increase counter top workspace. We had a small kitchen cart/island which helped some. You can see it in my Kitchen Improvements: Phase I post, but it simply wasn't big enough. And we had plenty of floor space for something bigger.

First, we measured and tried some different pieces of furniture in the spot to determine the appropriate dimensions. Then we did lots of research, mostly online, before deciding on a beautiful butcher block from the John Boos company. They have lots of different styles and sizes but we chose a Gathering Block III. And upon discovering through the very helpful Norbert at the factory store that we could save 40% if we went down to pick it up in Effingham, IL, which is about 5 and a half hours away, we decided that a weekend road trip was just the ticket.

Now, the Gathering Block III measures 24 X 48 inches and we have a Honda Ridgeline pick-up with a bed that is bigger than that so we figured it would be a piece of cake. We even thought the end gate would close and the tonneau cover would fasten over it!! Wrong!!!! It was kind of scary watching the forklift descend on the truck and I was too shocky to think of a picture at the factory but here it is in the pickup in the driveway.

We were a little concerned about the two of us getting it out of there when we got home but we managed by opening the box and bringing in the well-packed pieces one at a time.

Andy did have to get our gracious neighbor to help him bring in the 4 inch thick top though. I just could not manage an end of that!

Then it was on to assembling it which Andy did with just a little help from me and none from Charlie.
Then we kind of rolled it upright and slid it into place before putting in the basket drawers.

It was an adventure but we're very, very pleased with the results! Isn't it a beauty!

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for:

• A dear friend who listens
• A loving husband
• Sunshine
• Daffodil leaves poking up
• Progress on the kitchen project (separate blog post coming soon)
  
• But most of all, I'm thankful for God's sovereignty in all situations

Sunday's Hymn: Who Hath Believed

Who hath believed after hearing the message,
To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
He shall grow up as a plant new and tender,
And as a root out of a barren field.

He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement of our peace was upon him,
And with his stripes we are healed.

He was despised and by all men rejected,
Weighted with sorrows, acquainted with grief;
Smitten, afflicted, by God was forsaken,
He suffered alone; no one could bring relief.

Like as a lamb he was brought to the slaughter,
Speechless as sheep to the shearers was led;
He was cut off from the land of the living,
For our transgressions on Calvary bled.

From Isaiah 53:1-8
Richard J. Oliver
Tune: He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions, Richard J. Oliver

Thankful....

...Friday. Oops. Thankful Thursday flitted into my mind a couple of times yesterday but then I'd get busy again and the thought was gone. Not that I didn't have things to be thankful for, believe me. For one thing, it was a lovely sunny morning and Charlie and I had a delightful walk.

And then there was this lovely sight outside my kitchen window:
I know I've posted them other years but I just never can resist taking a new picture of these every spring.

And since it is Friday now, I'm going to tell you how thankful I am that Andy is working from home today! He normally works from home one day a week but that hasn't happened for the last few months because of big projects at work that necessitated his being present on site. So its nice to have him back with us.

Several of my thankful blogging friends are joining in praising God for His good gifts to us each Thursday. Please feel free to join us!

Quotable

The God of the law and the God of the Gospel is the same God--unchanged, unchangeable. His mercy beams forth more gloriously in the Gospel than in the law, but His holiness is not obscured by the effulgence of His mercy. No, the displeasure of God against sin is more strongly marked in the sacrifice of His Son, than in all the hecatombs of victims which bled on the Jewish altars; and we may rest assured, that "if he who despised Moses' law died without mercy, he will be accounted worthy of much sorer punishment, who treads under foot the Son of God, treats as unclean the sanctifying blood of the covenant, and does despite to the Spirit of grace." The Gospel despiser, the impenitent apostate, will find that there is no wrath like the wrath of contemned, abused mercy, and that it is indeed "a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." The belief of the infinitely energetic holiness of God, manifesting itself both in the sufferings of Christ and in the peculiarly sore punishment of the despiser and neglecter of the Gospel, is admirably fitted to produce that "which is in perfect harmony with that grateful love which arises from the faith of the truth as it is in Jesus.~John Brown, Hebrews, commentary on Hebrews 12:28-29

Sunday's Hymn: Arm of the Lord, Awake, Awake!

Arm of the Lord, awake, awake!
Put on thy strength, the nations shake,
And let the world, adoring, see
Triumphs of mercy wrought by thee.

Say to the heathen from thy throne:
"I am Jehovah, God alone."
Thy voice their idols shall confound,
And cast their altars to the ground.

Let Zion's time of favor come;
O bring the tribes of Israel home;
And let our wond'ring eyes behold
Gentile and Jews in Jesus' fold.

Almighty God, thy grace proclaim
In ev'ry clime of every name;
Let adverse pow'rs before thee fall,
And crown the Saviour Lord of all.

William Shrubsole, 1795
Tune: Truro, Psalmodia Evangelica, 1789

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a bit of sunshine this afternoon in which to take Charlie for a short walk. It was a short one because the temperature was only 38 degrees F. and there was a little breeze to make it feel even cooler. Charlie is 15 now and old guys get cold in that kind of weather. But it was nice to get out in the fresh air for a quick trip around the block.

I'm even more thankful for this exhilarating reminder from our Hebrews passage for this week:

You have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.~Hebrews 12:22-24

I'm joining with Kim of The Upward Call and many others in posting my thanksgiving to God each Thursday of 2011. Here's your invitation to join in!

Sunday's Hymn: Awake, My Soul

Awake, my soul, stretch ev'ry nerve,
And press with vigor on;
A heav'nly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.

A cloud of witnesses around
Hold thee in full survey;
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.

'Tis God's all-animating voice
That calls thee from on high;
'Tis his own hand presents the prize
To thine aspiring eye.

That prize with peerless glories bright,
Which shall new lustre boast,
When victors' wreaths and monarch's gems
Shall blend in common dust.

Blest Saviour, introduced by thee,
Have I my race begun;
And, crowned with vict'ry, at thy feet
I'll lay my honors down.

Philip Doddridge, 1755
Tune: Christmas, George Frederick Handel, 1728

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that its March. I do like all of the seasons but I am very ready for winter to be over and spring to arrive. That happens on Sunday, March 20th this year. At least, that's what the calendar says and I'm ready for warmer days, robins and daffodils!

I'm also thankful for leftovers for dinner tonight.

And my warm, soft Charlie sleeping in my lap.

And that Andy will be home in less than an hour.

I am thankful.

Sunday's Hymn: Like a River Glorious

Like a river glorious
Is God's perfect peace,
Over all victorious
In its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth
Fuller ev'ry day,
Perfect, yet it groweth
Deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah,
Hearts are fully blest,
Finding, as he promised,
Perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow
Of his blessed hand,
Never foe can follow,
Never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry,
Not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry
Touch the spirit there.

Ev'ry joy or trial
Falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial
By the Sun of Love.
We may trust him fully
All for us to do;
They who trust him wholly
Find him wholly true.

Frances R. Havergal, 1878
Tune: Like a River, James Mountain, 1844-1933

Quotable

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.~Isaiah 41:10

Thankful Thursday

Andy is in Corsicana, TX this week for his job. I miss him and I'm thankful that he comes home on Saturday. That's the day after tomorrow!

Like Rosemary, it seems that things often go awry when Andy is out of town. We had the furnace in one of the rentals repaired last week and I was feeling so thankful that that happened while Andy was still here. Well, the tenant called yesterday to say it wasn't working again. I was out and by the time we spoke, he had talked to someone else who had suggested turning the thermostat completely off and waiting a half hour to restart the furnace. It worked! At least for now, and I'm so thankful for that.

Still, its been a long week and I'm especially thankful for a dear friend who has invited me to join her family for dinner tomorrow night.

Oh, and one more thing I'm thankful for...snowdrops peeking up through the snow! They keep getting buried again by another inch or two of snow that then recedes in time for the next batch but I know they are there!

I intend to post my thankful thoughts each Thursday along with Kim of The Upward Call and others. Please join in!

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

I'm thankful to be just about over the flu. I faithfully got my flu shot back in October but I know that those shots are a mix of the strains that people in the know think will be the problem ones in a particular year. At least for me, they guessed wrong this year. It was not pleasant but I was so thankful for this promise from the passage of Isaiah which was part of last week's study:

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.~Isaiah 41:10

Kim from The Upward Call and several others of us are posting our thanksgiving to our great God each Thursday. Please join in!

Kitchen Improvements: Phase I

Field Stone Cottage dates to the 1930's. The kitchen has been redone, probably multiple times, since then. The latest upgrades predate our ownership of the cottage which is now into its seventh year. My best guess would be late 1980's or early 1990's. The kitchen is really lovely but it is lacking in both usable cupboard space and working countertop space.
Andy and I debated on how to proceed on improvements and came up with a four point plan. Phase One: We decided that the two lower corner cupboards just had to have lazy susans installed! I was sick of having to get down on the floor, flashlight in hand, to try to find anything in the far reaches of those chasms!
So we visited our local big box home improvement centers and Andy searched for retrofit lazy susans online. We decided on these models.
After some emails back and forth between Andy and Allen to get the sizing right, we ordered four of these lazy susans on February 2nd. They arrived this past Friday, the 11th and Andy installed them on Saturday. He was really pleased with how quickly and easily the project went! I wasn't much help since I had the flu. Andy even took the pictures! But I'm really pleased with the outcome!

Sunday's Hymn: Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me

Jesus, Saviour, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach'rous shoal;
Chart and compass came from thee:
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.

As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boist'rous waves obey thy will
When thou sayest to them, "Be still."
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.

When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
'Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on thy breast,
May I hear thee say to me,
"Fear not, I will pilot thee."

Edward Hopper, 1871
Tune: Pilot, John E. Gould, 1871

Thankful Thursday

I hurt my back on Saturday, moving a piece of furniture around...I know....dumb, dumb, dumb. Anyway, I am so thankful that my back is just about back to normal today. I am thankful that God healed my back even though it was totally my fault that it got hurt. I'm thankful that He also heals my spiritual condition when I turn to Him in repentance for sins that are totally my doing, my disobedience.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.~1 John 1:9

What are you thankful for today? Please join in the thanksgiving started by Kim from The Upward Call!

Sunday's Hymn: How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed;
I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

"E'en down to old age all my people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."

"K" in Rippon's Selection, 1787
Tune: Adeste Fideles, Unknown, probably 18th century

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that Emily is making lasagna for dinner tonight. I had a doctor's appointment late this afternoon so not having to rush home to fix dinner was especially appreciated. We're all hungry now plus lasagna is a favorite of every one of us so we're smelling that delicious aroma with eager anticipation! Can't wait!

What are you thankful for tonight? Kim of The Upward Call and several others of us are posting our thankful thoughts each Thursday. Please join in!

Blizzard: The Clean-up

It starts with Andy raking the snow off the roof edges as far up as he can reach with the roof rake. We have to get the heavy accumulation off so it doesn't slide off when the sun comes out and hurt someone. Snow is heavy! I didn't think of taking a picture of that part today but it was the first time Andy ever wore his snowshoes to do it!

Then he uses the snow blower to get around the cars as best he can and get to the sidewalk to do that around the corner to the second driveway. Living on a corner has pros and cons. But one pro is the second drive to move the cars between when removing snow. When the smaller drive and the front walk and Charlie's area are clear, we move the cars over to that drive and Andy does the big drive. We do have a two car garage on the side with the big driveway but we have three vehicles and a boat so the truck and the boat get the garage.

With this much snow, its taken some time and we had a lunch break in the middle but Andy is finishing it up now. That means its time for some hot chocolate!

Blizzard: The Morning After

View out the window.
The local newspaper says its 18 inches.

Looking up the street.

I love Charlie's reaction!

Evening Snow

You may have heard that our part of the country is getting a pretty good storm tonight and tomorrow. In fact, they are calling it a blizzard...and it is blowing and snowing mightily out there! But it sure did make for some nice pictures earlier this evening!

Sunday's Hymn: Gracious Saviour, Gentle Shepherd

Gracious Saviour, gentle Shepherd,
Our little ones are dear to thee;
Gathered with thine arms and carried
In thy bosom may they be
Sweetly, gently, safely tended,
From all want and danger free.

Tender Shepherd, never leave them
From thy fold to go astray;
By thy look of love directed,
May they walk the narrow way;
Thus direct them, and protect them,
Lest they fall an easy prey.

Let thy holy Word instruct them:
Fill their minds with heav'nly light;
Let thy love and grace constrain them,
To approve whate'er is right,
Take thine easy yoke and wear it,
And to prove thy burden light.

Cleanse their hearts from sinful folly
In the stream thy love supplied;
Mingled streams of blood and water
Flowing from thy wounded side:
And to heav'nly pastures lead them,
Where thine own still waters glide.

Jane E. Leeson, 1842
Tune: Dismissal, William L. Viner, 1845

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for good medical care. I'm thankful for Andy's job which provides good insurance coverage for that medical care and I'm thankful for the good doctors, hospitals and other health care providers that we have in Chicagoland. Andy and I do make use of them. But overall, our health is good and for that I am most thankful to our gracious God.

What are you thanking Him for today?

Quotable

Indeed, every earthly inclination--every earthly pursuit, however innocent in itself, when it interferes with the cultivation of Christian dispositions and the practice of Christian duties, becomes a weight which must be laid aside. There are certain habits in reference to religion itself which form great encumbrances to the persevering discharge of Christian duty. A fondness for what is curious and new in religion--a disposition to "intrude into things not seen," because not revealed--a giving heed to doctrines which minister questions rather than godly edifying--a turning aside unto vain janglings,--this appears to me one of the weights which Christians of the present as well as of the apostolic age need to lay aside, if they would so run as to obtain. The great enemy of our souls does not care much what it is that keeps us from prosecuting our Christian course, if we are but kept from prosecuting it; and when he can so far delude us as to make us believe that we are prosecuting that course when we are either standing still or proceeding in another direction, he considers his object as gained in the best possible way.~John Brown, Hebrews, on Hebrews 12:1

Sunday's Hymn: When Peace, Like a River

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And has shed his own blood for my soul.

My sin—O the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

O Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
"Even so"—it is well with my soul.

Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888
Tune: It is Well, Philip P. Bliss, 1876

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for bright sunshine this afternoon. Its only 17 frigid degrees out there and the forecasted low for tonight is -6 degrees Fahrenheit but sunshine right now makes up for a lot of those missing degrees.

So does Bible study with Kim and Carol. I am thankful for the encouragement around the table in refocusing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Wow! Overwhelmingly thankful to our most gracious Savior!

What are you thanking our God for this day?

Sunday's Hymn: O Lord, By Thee Delivered

O Lord, by thee delivered,
I thee with songs extol;
My foes thou hast not suffered
To glory o'er my fall.
O Lord, my God, I sought thee,
And thou didst heal and save;
Thou, Lord, from death didst ransom
And keep me from the grave.

His holy Name remember,
Ye saints, Jehovah praise;
His anger lasts a moment,
His favor all our days;
For sorrow, like a pilgrim,
May tarry for a night,
But joy the heart will gladden
When dawns the morning light.

In prosp'rous days I boasted,
Unmoved I shall remain,
For, Lord, by thy good favor
My cause thou didst maintain;
I soon was sorely troubled,
For thou didst hide thy face;
I cried to thee, Jehovah,
I sought Jehovah's grace.

What profit if I perish,
If life thou dost not spare?
Shall dust repeat thy praises,
Shall it thy truth declare?
O Lord, on me have mercy,
And my petition hear;
That thou mayst be my helper,
In mercy, Lord, appear.

My grief is turned to gladness,
To thee my thanks I raise,
Who hast removed my sorrow
And girded me with praise;
And now, no longer silent,
My heart thy praise will sing;
O Lord, my God, for ever
My thanks to thee I bring.

From Psalm 30
The Psalter, 1912
Tune: Ellacombe,
Wurttemberg, Gesangbuch, 1784

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who take my concerns and requests to our perfect High Priest as though they were their own. I thank God upon every remembrance of them.

Sunday's Hymn: Glory be to Jesus

Glory be to Jesus,
Who in bitter pains
Poured for me the life-blood
From his sacred veins!

Grace and life eternal
In that blood I find;
Blest be his compassion,
Infinitely kind!

Blest through endless ages
Be the precious stream
Which from endless torments
Did the church redeem!

Abel's blood for vengeance
Pleaded to the skies;
But the blood of Jesus
For our pardon cries.

Oft as earth exulting
Wafts its praise on high,
Angel hosts rejoicing
Make their glad reply.

Lift we, then, our voices,
Swell the mighty flood,
Louder still and louder
Praise the precious blood!

Italian, 18th century, cento
Tr. by Edward Caswall, 1857
Tune: Wem In Leidenstagen, Friedrich Filitz, 1847

Thankful....

...Friday. Again. But I am so very thankful for this:

In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.~Ephesians 1:7-8

Quotable

All who would live godly must make sacrifices, and expose themselves to hazards. Faith, and nothing but faith, can enable persons cheerfully to make such sacrifices, to expose themselves to such dangers. Faith can do it; and, in the deliverance from the destruction which awaits the unbelievers, will in due time obtain for them a rich recompense for all they have hazarded and all they have lost in the cause of Christ.~John Brown, Hebrews, p. 577

Sunday's Hymn: As With Gladness Men of Old

As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious God, may we
Evermore be led to thee.

As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly cradle bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek thy mercy-seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that cradle rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure, and free from sin's alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to thee, our heav'nly King.

Holy Jesus, ev'ry day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds thy glory hide.

In the heav'nly country bright
Need they no created light;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun which goes not down;
There for ever may we sing
Alleluias to our King.

William C. Dix, 1861
Tune: Dix, Arr. from Conrad Kocher, 1838

Thankful Thursday

This has been Emily's week off from her playing and teaching responsibilities so she and I have done some relaxing together and its been fun. I'm thankful for my daughter and the good times we have together whether its visiting a museum, enjoying a quiet lunch or just watching a movie at home. I even enjoy the times we work together but that's not been on the schedule much this week. The key is in the word together. I'm thankful that God gave me Emily.

I'm also thankful for Kim of The Upward Call who initiated these Thankful Thursday posts. This is the last Thursday of 2010 but I'm not about to stop giving thanks to our gracious God for all of His gifts to us. There's blessing in the discipline of giving thanks but I'm blessed by hearing all of your reasons to thank Him too. So I'm planning to continue my Thankful Thursday posts in 2011 and I'm hoping that you will join in as well.

Sunday's Hymn: Silent Night

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heav'n afar,
Heavenly hosts sing: Alleluia,
Christ, the Saviour, is born!

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

Joseph Mohr, 1818
Tune: Stille Nacht, Franz Gruber, 1818

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours the peace and joy that comes from celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus on a mid-winter's night so long ago in Bethlehem.

Thankful Thursday

I'm so thankful that Andy has had this week off from work and we've had the opportunity to spend some time together just hanging out over coffee (tea for me), doing a little shopping, watching a movie at home, even doing a few chores. But we've been together and that's the part that I love.

I'm glad Emily has been around most of the time too. And Charlie, of course. Its been a nice, homebody sort of relaxing week as we look forward to our simple Christmas celebration.

Each Thursday of 2010, I've joined with Kim of The Upward Call and several other friends in thanking our God for His gracious gifts to us. Please join in!

Sunday's Hymn: Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

Comfort, comfort ye my people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning 'neath their sorrow's load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover,
And her warfare now is over.

Yea, her sins our God will pardon,
Blotting out each dark misdeed;
All that well deserved his anger
He no more will see or heed.
She hath suffered many a day
Now her griefs have passed away;
God will change her pining sadness
Into ever-springing gladness.

For the herald's voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all men to repentance,
Since the kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise to meet him,
And the hills bow down to greet him.

Make ye straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain;
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits his holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er earth is shed abroad;
And all flesh shall see the token,
That his word is never broken.

Johannes Olearius, 1671
Tr. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863
Tune: Thirsting, Louis Bourgeois, 1551

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for this promise in Isaiah 26:3-4:

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.

This passage was part of the lesson in our study of Isaiah for last week but I am still pondering it. I find such comfort in it. One aspect of our study for the last 12 weeks has been focused on understanding God's grace alongside His wrath and judgment. Isaiah is conveying God's judgment to the sinful people of Judah and surrounding nations in his prophesy but I am struck by how his compassion for those who will suffer comes through in his words. I can sense his real grief over those who do not trust in the Lord all these many years later. But Isaiah's words are God's words. He is bringing God's word to the people of his time and to us. So its God's compassion and grief that is so palpable to me. And what greater expression of grace and love is there than to warn people of the judgment and death to come and tell them how to be saved from it, even how to have peace in the midst of it?

And so in this advent season, in a world of uncertainty and chaos where death and destruction are as far away as a click on the internet, my goal is to keep my mind steadfast on the Prince of Peace. I thank God for His infinite grace and compassion in sending Him to accomplish the salvation by His death on the cross of all who would trust in Him. I thank Him for the privilege of sharing this very good news with those around me too. Merry Christmas, indeed!

Sunday's Hymn: To Us a Child of Hope is Born

To us a child of hope is born,
To us a son is giv'n,
Him shall the tribes of earth obey,
Him all the hosts of heaven

His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
For evermore adored,
The Wonderful, the Counsellor,
The great and mighty Lord;

His power, increasing, still shall spread,
His reign no end shall know;
Justice shall guard his throne above,
And peace abound below.

To us a Child of hope is born,
To us a Son is giv'n,
The Wonderful, the Counsellor,
The mighty Lord of heaven.

John Morison, 1781, alt.
Tune: Zerah, Lowell Mason, 1837

Thankful Thursday

Its bitterly cold out today and it been snowing since just about 3 this afternoon. But I've got warm clothes, a warm house and right now I've even got a warm little dog in my lap. Plus I'm drinking a nice, hot cup of tea! I am blessed! I thank God for all this warmth surrounding me on a cold and snowy day!

Each Thursday of 2010, I'm joining my friend, Kim at The Upward Call, and several others in thanking our God for His gracious provisions to us. Won't you join us?

Sunday's Hymn: Behold, a Branch is Growing

Behold, a Branch is growing
Of loveliest form and grace,
As prophets sung, foreknowing;
It springs from Jesse's race
And bears one little Flow'r
In midst of coldest winter,
At deepest midnight hour.

Isaiah hath foretold it
In words of promise sure,
And Mary's arms enfold it,
A virgin meek and pure.
Through God's eternal will
This Child to her is given
At midnight calm and still.

The shepherds heard the story,
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory,
Was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger found him,
As angel heralds said.

This Flower whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God;
From sin and death he saves us
And lightens every load.

O Saviour, Child of Mary,
Who felt our human woe;
O Saviour, King of Glory,
Who dost our weakness know,
Bring us at length, we pray,
To the bright courts of heaven
And to the endless day.

German author unknown, c. 1500
Tr., st. 1-4, Harriet R. Spaeth, 1875
Tr., st. 5, John C. Mattes, 1914
Tune: Es Ist Ein' Ros' Entsprungen, Traditional German melody
har. by Michael Praetorius, 1609, alt.

Thankful Thursday

Its Thursday and Kim, Carol and I gathered this afternoon for our Hebrews study. Actually, we were in the book of Judges today, studying Samson. We're technically in Hebrews 11 in verses 32-38 but we've divided up the heroes of the faith mentioned in those verses to study them individually in a bit more depth and then report back to the group placing those men on the grid of that passage. Its been so fascinating to do it this way! I'm thankful for all I've learned throughout the study of Hebrews and the way this book has allowed me to see the entire Word of God (and God Himself) with an expanded view. I'm also so very thankful for Kim and Carol and the way God has knit us together through this study. Thank you, Lord!

I'm returning to my Thankful Thursday posts, initiated by Kim of The Upward Call. I wouldn't want to give up the blessings of shared thanksgiving to our gracious God now...or ever!