violence

No, this is not a rant against television violence, even though that does have a time and place of its own. :-)

This is about the call of God to His people, to just a few of His people, to be violent in seizing His kingdom. Matthew 11:12 says, "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force."  Here Jesus is talking to his disciples, the twelve that are nearest to Him. Right in the middle of a tribute to John the Baptist, his cousin and forerunner, He makes this comment and then ends it with "He who has ears, let him hear." Then he goes into a critique of "this generation," one which mirrors this current generation well.

But what does this "violence" entail? A desperate, zealous setting one's self apart for the work of the Lord. A voracious drive and determination to become more like the Savior. A desire to draw nearer to the God who so loved us all that He sent His Son to shed His blood to save us from the clutches of hell.

I have had a sense of spiritual change coming in my life for about a month now. I always get these "premonitions," if you will, that God is going to mix things up in my life, or ask me to do something that I would rather, in my own flesh, not do. I was listening to Banning Liebscher preach last week at BBF via livefeed, and he made an offhand comment that God may ask from you what He may never ask from your friends. I have often thought that about my family. Some of the things that He asked us to do that made absolutely NO sense from a human perspective. And when He asked it, He never clarified or told us why or how to explain our lifestyle or beliefs. He just said to obey Him.

And so, I feel strongly that He asked me to give up most of my leisure television time, shows that I have loved and watched for years, and to tighten the spiritual  belt of the movies that I watch. So I  am going to endeavor to spent this extra time (even though it was mostly late-evening and weekend time) cooking for the love of it, reading books that will help me counsel and teacher my kids better, re-learning the tricks of gardening, and exercising to get in better health. I ask the Lord to give my kids, in exchange, more victory over sin, more healing to their souls, and for myself, a closer and more Spirit-filled life that pleases Him!

inspired

Uncle Greg was in the hospital last week with a heart attack. We packed into Cori's car and visited with him and Aunt Rosie during the late afternoon. It was good to spend time with them, and we got to see Annie & her Baylen for a quick hi. Greg did not look good, and he slept most of the time we were there. Rose bounced Juliana on her leg as Corrie Lynn hopped in circles around the floor rug. Such delightful and sweet babies! As Mom and Aunt Rosie's white heads were bent over cups of hot tea while they sat indulging in "old lady talk," I was reminded that they are both getting old and felt a strange uncanny urgency. We must treasure the fleeting time that we have left with them! And I am so thankful for the "goodly heritage" that they have left for us younger torch-bearers.

Aunt Rosie is such an inspiration. Mom said, after we got home, that she has always been inspirational even to her, her best friend. Rose is such a classy lady, a true southern hostess, homemaker, and cook-on-the-fly. And her patio garden! I was soothing Juliana into a nap on their patio/veranda close to the evening. The cool breezes were blowing from the north end of the county, and it was so refreshing! She slept on my lap for almost an hour, and I got to just sit on the swing and think. And Tricia and I went right home and bought ourselves some pots, Miracle Grow potting soil, and a small collection of herbs, flowers, and bell pepper and tomato plants! It was actually a lot of work, but FUN hard work. :-)

So I came away inspired in several areas of life. I don't experience these moments too often, so I'll ponder this one for awhile yet.

Aunt Rosie & Cori (her god-daughter) on Christmas Eve 2010

Breakfast Casserole

Here is the recipe for the Breakfast Casserole that I brought to Dustin & Marisa's Game Night. It is easy to make (and not too demanding on the food budget)! :-D

Breakfast Casserole
1 8 oz can refrigerated crescent rolls (I use Pillsbury)
1 lb. bulk sausage (Jimmy Dean's mild)
4 eggs, beaten
8 oz. cheese, shredded (1/2 mozzarella & 1/2 monterey jack/colby cheese mix)
3/4 c. 2% milk
salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (400 degrees for a convection oven).
Cook the sausage in a skillet on medium heat until it is browned. Drain well.
Line the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan (I use glass Pyrex) with the crescent roll dough.
Press to seal the rolls together so that the bottom is completely covered.
Sprinkle the dough with sausage and cheese.
Combine beaten eggs, milk, salt and pepper and pour over the sausage/cheese layer.
Grind a small amount of fresh pepper over the top of the casserole.
Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes until top is golden brown with browned spots.
Cut into squares and serve while hot/warm.
Enjoy the deliciousness!

I LOVE to pass along recipes given to us by inspirational homemakers! Pat McIntyre was a wonderful, godly lady, dedicated to being a housewife, gardener, and cook. When I was a young girl, we used to drive our VW bus down from Chattanooga to Dalton, GA to fellowship with her family and several others. Great memories!

Aunt Rosie's Country Biscuits

This is my family's FAVORITE biscuit! Rose Touart is my Mom's longest and best friend, one of the most inspirational homemakers and classy southern ladies that I know!

Country Biscuits

2 sticks butter (1 c)
almost 4 c. self-rising flour
1 1/2 c. buttermilk + 1/2 c. water OR 2 c. 2+% milk
2 T. oil (canola or vegetable)

Preheat oven to 450 (425 in a convection oven).
Pour oil into a  9x13 pan (metal or glass); place in oven to pre-heat for a few minutes.
Cut butter into flour coarsely, using pastry cutter.
Add liquid, working dough lightly with the hands or fork.
Pull heated pan out of oven.
Coat hands in flour to form large palm-sized biscuits.
Place biscuits into hot pan about 1/2-1 inch apart.
Put a deep thumb print into the center of each biscuit (this is Aunt Rosie's signature mark!)
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Yum, yum YUM!  Make sure you have plenty of butter, jam and honey! ;-D

not waiting

It has been months since I have blogged. There has been no need to scribble to vent, or to keep my sanity. It is well in tact, and I survived the ending of a busy school year! :-)

I read YLCF's article The Joy of Waiting tonight, all the while watching Jane Austen's "Persuasion" movie. I am not sure that is was a sane combination! :-) It is my favorite JA story plot, as I identify with Anne Elliot in some ways.

I couldn't help but respond. Waiting for God to write your love story when you are young does bring anticipation and “unbridled joy.” I enjoyed those years of preparing, learning skills, homemaking, and looking forward to one day being the queen of one man’s heart and home.

But I am now almost 36, and the wait is not so joyful anymore. It is more of a reticent and quiet acceptance of what is. And what is not. And being fruitful and busy and making the wait count for eternity.

As a wise king once said, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

on suffering

The normal Christian life is one that boasts only in the cross–the blazing center of God’s glory–and does it while bearing the cross (Luke 14:27). Bearing the cross is the means by which we are increasingly liberated to boast in the cross.

Suffering is God’s design in this sin-soaked world (Romans 8:20).
It portrays sin’s horror for the world to see.
It punishes sin’s guilt for those who do not believe in Christ.
It breaks sin’s power for those who take up their cross and follow Jesus.
And because sin is the belittling of the all-satisfying glory of God, the suffering that breaks its power is a severe mercy.

Whatever makes us more and more able to enjoy making much of God is a mercy. For there is no greater joy than joy in the greatness of God. And if we must suffer to see this and savor it most deeply, then suffering is a mercy. And Christ’s call to take up our cross and join him on the Calvary road is love.
~John Piper in Don't Waist Your Life.

flee!

I have been meditating on this verse over the last week or so. "Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ~2 Tim 2:22

I love that the word flee here means to seek safety by flight away from, to shun or avoid something abhorrent. It reminds me of several verses that I memorized as a kid from Matthew 5:
"And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."

Strong stuff there!

A real-life cutting something out of your life if is causing you to sin or stumble might be...
Getting rid of texting on your cell bill if it causes you to sin with "many words" (Prov 10:19).
Turning off the internet if you spent too much wasted time better spent in God's Word or in ministry, or if you are tempted to look at porn that cripples the soul.
Stopping listening to certain music because it feeds the soulish/flesh man and not your spirit unto holiness.
Getting up and leaving a movie when the actor's curse God's name and the break one of the BIG10.
And this doesn't even touch the tip of the proverbial "youthful lust" iceberg!

And the alternative?

A pursuit of God and HIS righteousness, faith, love and peace...all the things we as humans seek and desire but most never really attain. Apart from Him.

I am calling on HIS NAME!!! :-D And asking Him to create in me a pure heart, again and again and again.

1 Corinthians 6: "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body? You are not your own. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any..."