Jehovah was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake: Jehovah was not in the earthquake.
And after the earthquake, a fire: Jehovah was not in the fire. And after the fire, a soft gentle voice. (1Kings 19:11-12)

Saturday, May 31, 2008

A Greater Plan

Susan Schaeffer Macaulay wrote in her book, For the Children's Sake:

"Try a simple experiment. Take a small child on your knee. Respect him. Do not see him as something to prune, form, or mold. This is an individual who thinks, acts, and feels. He is a separate human being whose strength lies in who he is, not in who he will become."

"Many adults now 'have' a child in the same way that they 'have' a washing machine or a collie dog. We must answer: No. You are holding a person on your knee. And that is wonderful."

"Look well at the child on your knee. In whatever condition you find him, look with reverence. We can only love him and serve him and be his friend. We cannot own him. He is not ours."

I have recently finished this book mentioned above for the second time. It was the first book recommended to me before we were homeschooling . . . it left an impression on me and I felt I needed to read it again. Again I was impressed with this thought.

God has blessed me with these children that so often I do refer to as 'mine' . . . and yet here I am reminded that they are separate human beings created in the image of God. They are not mine, but God's. God has a plan for them . . . a greater plan than I could give them.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Our Square Foot Gardens

A while ago I came across this idea here. I was immediately intrigued as we have a small property and have always thought the idea of a vegetable garden here would be pretty pointless.

However, we decided this would be a great idea for us and so here are our gardens . . . so far . . .


the 4x4 gardens built and put in place


mixing the soil for the gardens


the grids being put on top of the soil


planting time . . .


almost everything is planted . . . just the peppers and tomatoes to go


It has been a wonderful family project. The children have been eager to be involved. It is being incorporated into our home school science curriculum.


Wednesday, May 21, 2008

In Everything Give Thanks

69. a wonderful day with family celebrating my father's birthday . . . we were able to enjoy so many things together on a wonderful spring day . . .

70. daughter's delight in discovering robin's eggs



71. nephew 'talking' to the chickens

72. we so often enjoy fresh eggs

73. tractor rides on Papa's tractor


74. the varied reactions by the little children when my brother brought
these little lambs home

75. a great long weekend together as a family

76. a nice evening with friends

77. finally having relief from my cough

78. our little garden

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Girded With Humility

He hadn't really done anything wrong . . . all he did was walk in the door an hour and a half later that I had been hoping for, as I wanted the help. What did I do when he finally got home? Only give him a not very warm welcome. I fought with holding unnecessary words back. Some of those words, I am afraid, did escape. He really hadn't done anything . . . it was me . . . my sin . . . my pride.

And yet I had been thinking on verses and words I had heard the week before in a Sunday message . . . humility . . . the willingness to take the place of a servant.

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:8

Jesus demonstrated humility not only when He left his Father in Heaven above and took on the form of a man, but he demonstrated humility as a
man . . .

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
John 13:4-5

The disciples really did not know what was going on here as He washed their feet, but He said to them:

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John 13:15

He did not insist that they should wash his feet even though He is the one who deserved it. He lovingly and humbly served them.


Do we 'wash one another's feet'?

Have we girded ourselves with humility so that we might serve one another?

Do we actually think that we deserve to be served instead?

I read these words here last week. “You would be a hypocrite to think lowly of yourself, but then expect others to think highly of you,” wrote the theologian and chaplain Jeremy Taylor over three hundred years ago. “Remember, no one can undervalue you if you know that you are unworthy. Once you know that, no amount of contempt from another person will be able to hurt.”

As Samuel looked to anoint a king for Israel he heard this from the LORD . . .

For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,
but the LORD looks on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7

The LORD had chosen David for this task. He provided Him with all that he would need to perform the task.

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. 1 Samuel 16:13

David was anointed king as a young man, but it was years later that he actually took the throne. He continued to humbly serve . . . as a shepherd, as he served his father, as he played for King Saul. He encountered much contempt, but he still continued to serve.

Jesus demonstrated His humility ever further . . . He "became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."



Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 1 Peter 5:5-6

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

In Everything Give Thanks


68. beautiful colours blooming everywhere . . . and plenty of green too

67. another picnic . . . this time my mom joined us

66. a wonderful Sunday afternoon visit with my sister and her family in her home


65. a nice time had by all (except maybe the ones in captivity) at the zoo

64. a sermon by husband on the unity we have in the body of Christ


63. seeing my parents home again


62. daughter's award-winning artwork entered into local art festival



61. a new toy tool in my kitchen . . . a mixer that has been put to much work already

Thursday, May 1, 2008

When Words Don't Come


Husband working, toddler sleeping, daughter at gymnastics with her Nana watching her. Dough is rising for cinnamon rolls to be enjoyed after gymnastics, the house is quiet, and here I find a few minutes to type . . . but nothing comes.

I started this blog to get my thoughts to come out more on 'paper'. I knew it was a challenge for me as I like to keep things to myself. However, I wanted to challenge myself to learn to express my thoughts more. To write something down takes more time and effort, but it forces you to work things through. I heard of a book a while ago called, Write to Discover Yourself by Ruth Vaughn. I thought, 'this is what I want', but more . . . to discover yourself is one thing, but to discover who I am in Christ is so much better. The book is out of print and I have not got a copy yet to read, but I would like to eventually.

I have never been very good at 'journaling' so this blog was intended to help me express my thoughts and what I learn as I meditate on God's Word. I have heard that the key to writing is reading . . . so I am challenged to read even more. I have much to learn.

For now I will continue to 'practice' my writing by continuing with my gift list. God has blessed my so abundantly. More thanksgiving to come . . .
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