In a "Me First" society, it is a challenge to take time to give thanks. We still live in the greatest country in the world. Our country has prospered the globe. With our farms, we feed the starving and with our gifts, we clothe and find fresh water for those in catastrophic circumstances.
Our forefathers came here to find religious freedom and thanked God for it and his Providence and provision on their first Thanksgiving.
Family, blessed friends, church family, the coming of a new pastor, a bountiful harvest and the ability to store it, a warm home with water and room for so many, money to buys things we don't even need...these are among the many blessings for which I am thankful. Above all that, God has richly blessed me with salvation. That is worth everything.
God has richly blessed us and we often forget to thank the one who gives us everything. I am challenged to remember to be the one leper who remembers to come back and give thanks to Jesus, who healed him (check out Luke 17:11 for the whole story).
"In Romans 1"18-32, Paul give a vivid description of the downward moral spiral of pagan humanity of that day, as God gave them up more and more to the wicked inclinations of their evil hearts. Near the beginning of the description, Paul writes, 'Although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their think, and their foolish hearts were darkened; (verse 21, emphasis added).
So their ever-increasing wickedness actually began with their ungodliness (failure to honor God as God) and their unthankfulness to Him....It may seem like a small sin to us, but God takes it seriously." excerpt from Respectable Sins, by Jerry Bridges
May each of us be thankful today, tomorrow and each day for all that God has done for us.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Showing posts with label respectable sins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label respectable sins. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Cleaning Day
Another beautiful November day--in the 70s; who would believe it??!!
With the weather so beautiful, I was hit with the urge to clean. While my mother always says that when that happens one should sit down and wait for it to pass, I thought I would take advantage of the day. I washed a few windows, washed the curtains in the kitchen, ironed them and hung them back up, washed the throw rugs, did a load of regular laundry and hung it all out, cut the grass around the house and enjoyed some reading in the sun.
I did my usual devos outside today (Tabletalk). I read a bit of "Respectable Sins" and got out a book I purchased not long ago, "The Mortification of Sin", by John Owen. As you can see, I follow Dan's blog and he is doing a study on this book. Today, I saw that he mentions it as one of his "Three Books", and seeing that it was a great day, I pulled it out and read the first chapter. It really goes along with my "Respectable Sins" class and I need all the 'mortification' I can get. I need to go back over his study notes, too. Thanks, again, Dan!
Tonight is our small group. We have not met in months and I am anxious to spend time and get caught up. We see each other on Sundays, but never long enough to really talk. I'm afraid I've worn myself out, though and there is a great deal of night left today...I hope that made sense :-).
Tomorrow I get my hair cut--not soon enough. I look overgown. There will be a visit to the chiropractor to repair the damage done from moving and all the other stuff I do and a visit to my brother's family in McCandless Twp., for an evening visit.
With the election still fresh in my mind, I am reminded of a study in Daniel our small group did with a sermon series by Tim Keller. The study begins with the letter to the exiles in Jeremiah 29:4 with instructions from God on how to live in Babylon. Keller goes on to explain how we live in a similar situation. We are in a similar situation where we are no longer in cultural power. God called them to become deeply engaged in the life of the "city", but still protect their spiritual heritage. Their dispersion among the pagan people was for the well being of the city and culture. Love the city of man for the sake of the city of God. Christians will need to be salt and light in a culture that may make it difficult for us. How will we live faithfully before God in an unbelieving culture that is hostile to God?
I highly recommend Tim Keller's series. You can check out his website and purchase tapes and CDs at : http://www.redeemer.com/.
"I am guilty, but pardoned,
lost, but saved,
wandering, but found,
sinning, but cleansed.
give me perpetual broken-heartedness,...
Open to me the springs of divine knowledge,
sparkling like crystal,
flowing clear and unsullied
through my wilderness of life." Valley of Vision excerpts from The Broken Heart
With the weather so beautiful, I was hit with the urge to clean. While my mother always says that when that happens one should sit down and wait for it to pass, I thought I would take advantage of the day. I washed a few windows, washed the curtains in the kitchen, ironed them and hung them back up, washed the throw rugs, did a load of regular laundry and hung it all out, cut the grass around the house and enjoyed some reading in the sun.
I did my usual devos outside today (Tabletalk). I read a bit of "Respectable Sins" and got out a book I purchased not long ago, "The Mortification of Sin", by John Owen. As you can see, I follow Dan's blog and he is doing a study on this book. Today, I saw that he mentions it as one of his "Three Books", and seeing that it was a great day, I pulled it out and read the first chapter. It really goes along with my "Respectable Sins" class and I need all the 'mortification' I can get. I need to go back over his study notes, too. Thanks, again, Dan!
Tonight is our small group. We have not met in months and I am anxious to spend time and get caught up. We see each other on Sundays, but never long enough to really talk. I'm afraid I've worn myself out, though and there is a great deal of night left today...I hope that made sense :-).
Tomorrow I get my hair cut--not soon enough. I look overgown. There will be a visit to the chiropractor to repair the damage done from moving and all the other stuff I do and a visit to my brother's family in McCandless Twp., for an evening visit.
With the election still fresh in my mind, I am reminded of a study in Daniel our small group did with a sermon series by Tim Keller. The study begins with the letter to the exiles in Jeremiah 29:4 with instructions from God on how to live in Babylon. Keller goes on to explain how we live in a similar situation. We are in a similar situation where we are no longer in cultural power. God called them to become deeply engaged in the life of the "city", but still protect their spiritual heritage. Their dispersion among the pagan people was for the well being of the city and culture. Love the city of man for the sake of the city of God. Christians will need to be salt and light in a culture that may make it difficult for us. How will we live faithfully before God in an unbelieving culture that is hostile to God?
I highly recommend Tim Keller's series. You can check out his website and purchase tapes and CDs at : http://www.redeemer.com/.
"I am guilty, but pardoned,
lost, but saved,
wandering, but found,
sinning, but cleansed.
give me perpetual broken-heartedness,...
Open to me the springs of divine knowledge,
sparkling like crystal,
flowing clear and unsullied
through my wilderness of life." Valley of Vision excerpts from The Broken Heart
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
First Snow
Today was a picture-perfect Autumn Day--cold, blustery--sometimes it rained, then sleet, then the sun would come out. This afternoon, though, the snow came. Just briefly, then the sun came out--that's Western PA in the fall. The forcast is for enough snow to cover the grass during the night, we'll see what happens.
Daniel got to hang out with his grandma this afternoon. What a delight! It's great to watch him learning to walk. So fun!
Winter has become more difficult for me as I get a bit older. My body craves the sunshine and around here in the winter, sun is hard to come by. I have found that taking Cod Liver Oil has helped. With vitamins A & D, I find that I don't get as depressed and I usually don't get colds. However, I can't say that about this fall with the colds.
I'm beginning to slip into 'hibernation mode'. I just want to stay at home and bake cookies and quilt. It won't be long now till most everyone around here is settled in for the winter. We rarely see any of our neighbors during the winter except during snow removal times. Those almost are almost happy occasions to see that everyone is doing well. Spring will come and everyone crawls out and we visit. The rhythm of life around here.
With the first snow, I thought I would 'celebrate' with the season's first making of Apple Crisp. My Grandma Blair first told me about this and it's the only recipe I have from her. I was surprised to find a recipe that was about the same in our church cookbook. Dad told me that Grandma was quite a great cook and baker in her day. I wonder if her recipes were all in her head. My dad told me she used to bake the family's bread and have all the loaves sitting out on the table when he came home from school. The house smelled great I'm sure. Anyway, back to Apple Crisp. I had some Stayman apples that were HUGE and it only took three to fill a 8 in. square pan. Here's the recipe:
Apple Crisp
1 stick soft butter
-3/4 C. sugar
1/2 C. flour
Cinnamon
Grease 8 inch square baking dish. Peal and slice your favorite baking-type apple in to the baking dish. (I've used Cortland and Macintosh a lot. Most any variety will do. Some of the more sturdy types that don't lose their shape when they are cooked quite as quickly, just need to bake a bit longer). Fill about 3/4 full. Sprinkle with your family's favorite amount of cinnamon. In medium sized mixing bowl, add sugar and flour; cut in butter. Sprinkle sugar mixture over apples. Add more cinnamon to the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 1/2 hour. Softer apples will only need about 20-25 minutes. Should be bubbly. May be enjoyed with Cool-whip or ice cream. Great for cold winter nights or as a general prescription for a bad day.
From my Respectable Sins reading: "So the question is, Are we to give God thanks when the circumstances do not turn out as we had hoped? The answer is yes, but for a different reason, In 1 Thess. 5:18, Paul writes, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."...[Romans 8:28] tells us that for those who love God, all things work together for good...The 'good' however, is defined in verse 29 as being conformed to the image of God's Son. In other words, Paul is telling us that God intends all our circumstances, both good and bad (but in the context Paul has in mind; especially the bad ones), to be intruments of sanctification, of growing us more and more into the likeness of Jesus." from Respectable Sins, by Jerry Bridges. How important it is to learn that God is in control of each circumstance in our life and each one is for our good--being made into His likeness....even things that can be called a 'dark providence'. It seems to me that 'bad' things only seem bad to us. God is using them and he calls them 'good'. We'll see how I'm doing with this the day after the election. Or when God wants to grow me during a time of dark providence.
Growing in Christ together~
Daniel got to hang out with his grandma this afternoon. What a delight! It's great to watch him learning to walk. So fun!
Winter has become more difficult for me as I get a bit older. My body craves the sunshine and around here in the winter, sun is hard to come by. I have found that taking Cod Liver Oil has helped. With vitamins A & D, I find that I don't get as depressed and I usually don't get colds. However, I can't say that about this fall with the colds.
I'm beginning to slip into 'hibernation mode'. I just want to stay at home and bake cookies and quilt. It won't be long now till most everyone around here is settled in for the winter. We rarely see any of our neighbors during the winter except during snow removal times. Those almost are almost happy occasions to see that everyone is doing well. Spring will come and everyone crawls out and we visit. The rhythm of life around here.
With the first snow, I thought I would 'celebrate' with the season's first making of Apple Crisp. My Grandma Blair first told me about this and it's the only recipe I have from her. I was surprised to find a recipe that was about the same in our church cookbook. Dad told me that Grandma was quite a great cook and baker in her day. I wonder if her recipes were all in her head. My dad told me she used to bake the family's bread and have all the loaves sitting out on the table when he came home from school. The house smelled great I'm sure. Anyway, back to Apple Crisp. I had some Stayman apples that were HUGE and it only took three to fill a 8 in. square pan. Here's the recipe:
Apple Crisp
1 stick soft butter
-3/4 C. sugar
1/2 C. flour
Cinnamon
Grease 8 inch square baking dish. Peal and slice your favorite baking-type apple in to the baking dish. (I've used Cortland and Macintosh a lot. Most any variety will do. Some of the more sturdy types that don't lose their shape when they are cooked quite as quickly, just need to bake a bit longer). Fill about 3/4 full. Sprinkle with your family's favorite amount of cinnamon. In medium sized mixing bowl, add sugar and flour; cut in butter. Sprinkle sugar mixture over apples. Add more cinnamon to the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 1/2 hour. Softer apples will only need about 20-25 minutes. Should be bubbly. May be enjoyed with Cool-whip or ice cream. Great for cold winter nights or as a general prescription for a bad day.
From my Respectable Sins reading: "So the question is, Are we to give God thanks when the circumstances do not turn out as we had hoped? The answer is yes, but for a different reason, In 1 Thess. 5:18, Paul writes, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."...[Romans 8:28] tells us that for those who love God, all things work together for good...The 'good' however, is defined in verse 29 as being conformed to the image of God's Son. In other words, Paul is telling us that God intends all our circumstances, both good and bad (but in the context Paul has in mind; especially the bad ones), to be intruments of sanctification, of growing us more and more into the likeness of Jesus." from Respectable Sins, by Jerry Bridges. How important it is to learn that God is in control of each circumstance in our life and each one is for our good--being made into His likeness....even things that can be called a 'dark providence'. It seems to me that 'bad' things only seem bad to us. God is using them and he calls them 'good'. We'll see how I'm doing with this the day after the election. Or when God wants to grow me during a time of dark providence.
Growing in Christ together~
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Repetance and that 'Respectable Sins' Class
It seems that God needs to teach our church family a great deal about sin--it seems we have heard sermons on the subject for the past several weeks and then there's THAT CLASS!! My 'Respectable Sins' class is revealing more and more of my yucky stuff.
We are in the midst of moving my in-laws, again...which is a long and detailed story. Suffice it to say, it has only been a year since we moved them out of their last place. They are both suffering from a depression mentality, which means they find it difficult to throw anything away. Keith and I talked about going down today to help to some things(Acts of mercy on Sunday are a good thing-WCF) and I was fine with that until I found out that he wanted to be there till late in the day. Being a Steeler fan--one who has not watched a complete game yet this season!--I was hoping to be home to watch most of the game today. Needless to say, that didn't go over very well. While getting dressed for church, I was faced with the realization of my selfishness. Keith has done some much for my family, my mom especially, and I wanted to do my own thing and relax.
On the way into church, I confessed my crappy attitude. He had talked with him mom before we left and they were only going for a short trip to the condo today and they wanted to relax. So, it looked like I was going to be able to sit and relax and watch the game afterall...well, no. The game was on a channel that we cannot get. Maybe next Monday night I'll try again.
All that to say that it seem that God is really using this class and teaching from the pulpit to convict me of a ton of stuff. We want to grow and change and become more Christ-like. In my case, it's not always pretty. Thank goodness for forgiveness; for Christ and his dying on the cross.
"Oh Lord, No day of my life has passed that has not proved me guilty in thy sight. Prayers have been uttered from a prayerless heart; ...Blessed Jesus, let me find a covert in thy appeasing wounds, Though my sins rise to heaven thy merits soar above them...Give me perpetual broken-heartedness, Keep me clinging to thy cross, flood me every moment with descending grace. Open to me the springs of divine knowledge, sparkling like crystal, flowing clear and unsullied through my wilderness of life." Valley of Vision excerpts from The Broken Heart
We are in the midst of moving my in-laws, again...which is a long and detailed story. Suffice it to say, it has only been a year since we moved them out of their last place. They are both suffering from a depression mentality, which means they find it difficult to throw anything away. Keith and I talked about going down today to help to some things(Acts of mercy on Sunday are a good thing-WCF) and I was fine with that until I found out that he wanted to be there till late in the day. Being a Steeler fan--one who has not watched a complete game yet this season!--I was hoping to be home to watch most of the game today. Needless to say, that didn't go over very well. While getting dressed for church, I was faced with the realization of my selfishness. Keith has done some much for my family, my mom especially, and I wanted to do my own thing and relax.
On the way into church, I confessed my crappy attitude. He had talked with him mom before we left and they were only going for a short trip to the condo today and they wanted to relax. So, it looked like I was going to be able to sit and relax and watch the game afterall...well, no. The game was on a channel that we cannot get. Maybe next Monday night I'll try again.
All that to say that it seem that God is really using this class and teaching from the pulpit to convict me of a ton of stuff. We want to grow and change and become more Christ-like. In my case, it's not always pretty. Thank goodness for forgiveness; for Christ and his dying on the cross.
"Oh Lord, No day of my life has passed that has not proved me guilty in thy sight. Prayers have been uttered from a prayerless heart; ...Blessed Jesus, let me find a covert in thy appeasing wounds, Though my sins rise to heaven thy merits soar above them...Give me perpetual broken-heartedness, Keep me clinging to thy cross, flood me every moment with descending grace. Open to me the springs of divine knowledge, sparkling like crystal, flowing clear and unsullied through my wilderness of life." Valley of Vision excerpts from The Broken Heart
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
I love Wednesdays and Saturdays because it's Farmer's Market Day! During the growing season there are a delightful group of people who bring their fresh fruits and veggies and baked goods and flowers. It is a step back into a simpler time for me just to mill around and feel connected to a community. There were not many folks there today. The 'Apple Guy' is the main attraction now. I bought pears and some apples and CIDER. He makes great, real cider. Not the pasturized stuff. The apples are neatly displayed in graduated sized red baskets with the names of the apple variety in the front. It is a colorful display of a still life piece of art of country living.
Things are a bit slower today...thank goodness. I was able to gather rose hips and they are in the oven drying now. When they are dry, I'll crunch them up and use them in tea (thank you, Carla Emery and your Old Fashioned Recipe Book). The are chalk full of Vitamin C. I did leave some for the animals. It looks like there is a bumper crop this year. I may get a few more to decorate. They are a beautiful red.
Keith has a long weekend and is busy putting the finishing touches on the furnace (we hope). The rest of the week looks busy. I hope to get the shopping done tomorrow and cook Friday for the weekend!!!
Friday is the church's Fall Harvest Party. Since we are Presbyterians, there will be more food than people. :-) There will be square dancing and good friends and fellowship. It's always a grand time.
I finished an apron!! I haven't made one since 7th grade! It's a 40s-50s type fabric with little cherries on it. The idea came from reading Kris Ante's blog. She sells cute aprons. Hopefully, I won't be afraid to get it dirty, but I really like it...It has pockets!!!
If you are reading Respectable Sins, and have read Chapter 7, ...what can I say...I'm a horrible sinner and there appears to be no end to it. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
"O God of the Highest Heaven, occupy the throne of my heart, take full possession and reign supreme, lay low every rebel lust, let no vile passion resist thy holy war; manifest thy mighty power, and make me thine for ever." Valley of Vision, Regeneration
Pray for our country to repent and be wise in what you choose to do.
Blessings,
Things are a bit slower today...thank goodness. I was able to gather rose hips and they are in the oven drying now. When they are dry, I'll crunch them up and use them in tea (thank you, Carla Emery and your Old Fashioned Recipe Book). The are chalk full of Vitamin C. I did leave some for the animals. It looks like there is a bumper crop this year. I may get a few more to decorate. They are a beautiful red.
Keith has a long weekend and is busy putting the finishing touches on the furnace (we hope). The rest of the week looks busy. I hope to get the shopping done tomorrow and cook Friday for the weekend!!!
Friday is the church's Fall Harvest Party. Since we are Presbyterians, there will be more food than people. :-) There will be square dancing and good friends and fellowship. It's always a grand time.
I finished an apron!! I haven't made one since 7th grade! It's a 40s-50s type fabric with little cherries on it. The idea came from reading Kris Ante's blog. She sells cute aprons. Hopefully, I won't be afraid to get it dirty, but I really like it...It has pockets!!!
If you are reading Respectable Sins, and have read Chapter 7, ...what can I say...I'm a horrible sinner and there appears to be no end to it. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
"O God of the Highest Heaven, occupy the throne of my heart, take full possession and reign supreme, lay low every rebel lust, let no vile passion resist thy holy war; manifest thy mighty power, and make me thine for ever." Valley of Vision, Regeneration
Pray for our country to repent and be wise in what you choose to do.
Blessings,
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