True Faith

"True faith does not depend merely on the state of man's head and understanding, but on the state of his heart. His mind may be convinced. His conscience may be pierced. But so long as there is anything the man is secretly loving more than God, there will be no true faith. The man himself may be puzzled, and wonder why he does not believe. He does not see that he is like a child sitting on the lid of his box, and wishing to open it, but not considering that his own weight keeps it shut. Let a man make sure that he honestly and really desires first the praise of God. It is the lack of an honest heart which makes many stick fast in their false religion all their days, and die at length without peace. Those who complain that they hear, approve, assent, but make no progress, and cannot get any hold on Christ, should ask themselves this simple question - 

'Am I honest? 

Am I sincere? 

Do I really desire first the praise of God?'"

~ J.C. Ryle

Work to be Done

“No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it.”    — Alexander MacLaren  (1826-1910) Scottish Preacher

April Showers...

 ...are bringing April flowers!

Our blooming trees have been just a riot of color this year. :)

So thankful the frost didn't get our saucer magnolia this year!

And don't ask me how I got these pictures.

Let's just say I gave Sam something interesting to photograph.

Ho hum.

Sunday Specialty

Sunday evenings at our house involve:

Stove-popped popcorn!!!

Specialty flavors of varying goodness.

From hot chocolate powder to garlic powder...

and sometimes both.

Like I said. Of varying goodness.

BUT!

When properly seasoned, it can be very delicious, and fun to make!

Pour 1 c. of unpopped popcorn kernels into a large pot (this batch makes about...2 gallons of popcorn maybe? So a pot with about 8 qt capacity?) and add 6 T. of oil, 4 T. of butter, and about 1 tsp of salt (to taste...takes some experimentation).

Place lid on top, and heat over medium-high (about a 6 on our stove) on the stove top. 

Once the kernels begin to pop, shake the pot back and forth over the burner until popping mostly stops (a few kernels just won't...leaving it on too long will just make the bottom layer of popcorn burn.)

Remove pot from heat and pour popcorn into a large bowl. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle on whatever toppings you desire. Garlic powder/salt, herbs, cinnamon-sugar, parmesan cheese...imagine the possibilities! 

Mix well, and enjoy!

:)

:'(

Said goodbye to a dear little friend yesterday.

But it brought to mind how, even though it's okay to grieve the loss of a dear pet...who's only going to turn back to dust...

how much MORE should I be grieving for those SOULS being lost for all eternity! And seeking to show them, by word and deed, JESUS...who is their only salvation!

"O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!" 

(Psalm 39:4-5)

But...I'm thankful that the Lord, even in our brief lives, gives us blessings like pets. Shanni was so special to me, and I'm thankful we had her.

The Hand of the Lord

"The hand of the Lord hath wrought this."

Job 12:9

"Several years ago there was found in an African mine the most magnificent diamond in the world's history. It was presented to the King of England to blaze in his crown of state. The King sent it to Amsterdam to be cut. It was put into the hands of an expert lapidary. And What do you suppose he did with it?

He took the gem of priceless value, and cut a notch in it. Then he struck it a hard blow with his instrument, and lo! the superb jewel lay in his hand cleft in twain. 

What recklessness! 

what wastefulness! 

what criminal carelessness!

Not so.

For days and weeks that blow had been studied and planned. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its quality, its defects, its lines of cleavage had all been studied with minutest care. The man to whom it was committed was one of the most skillful lapidaries in the world.

Do you say that blow was a mistake? Nay. It was the climax of the lapidary's skill. When he struck that blow, he did the one thing which would bring that gem to its most perfect shapeliness, radiance, and jewelled splendor. That blow which seemed to ruin the superb precious stone was, in fact, its perfect redemption. For, from those two halves were wrought the two magnificent gems which the skilled eye of the lapidary saw hidden in the rough, uncut stone as it came from the mine.

So, sometimes, God lets a stinging blow fall upon your life. 

The blood spurts. 

The nerves wince. 

The soul cries out in agony. 

The blow seems to you an appalling mistake. But it is not, for you are the most priceless jewel in the world to God. And He is the most skilled lapidary in the universe.

Some day you are to blaze in the diadem of the King. As you lie in His hand now He knows just how to deal with you. Not a blow will be permitted to fall upon your shrinking soul but that the love of God permits it, and works out from its depths, blessing and spiritual enrichment unseen, and unthought of by you."

--J.H. McC.

(Streams in the Desert, April 17)

Couple more days...

...and Dad and my brother Tyler (above) will be in Mongolia...

Dad for two weeks,

Tyler for three months!

We would all just SO appreciate prayer for their safe travel! But also that they might see the Lord in new ways and learn deeper faith and trust as they step out into new experiences. And for Tyler that the Lord would use this time to prepare him for his upcoming year of missionary training at The Master's Mission! 

"The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

(Deuteronomy 31:8)

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

(Proverbs 16:3)