Thanksgiving & a Woman of Influence

  I have a wonderful idea- I hope that you will think so as well!

The degree for which I am currently studying at the university is a combined degree of English, History, and Women's Studies with the theme of "Women's Influence throughout History Upon Culture."  With that subject so close to my heart, I would like to periodically post articles of Women Of Influence. Take courage dear woman --your sphere of influence ripples out into the vast ocean.

I have a perfect subject for the post today- the day before Thanksgiving.

Dear Reader,

You may be surprised to learn that we Homemakers of this current generation, can thank the Victorian mothers for the holiday of Thanksgiving.  If it has not been for the influence of one tenacious lady with ideals of steel, we may not have been sitting around the table enjoying our Thanksgiving meal this Thursday.

Our Puritan brothers and sisters -the iconic symbols of the history of Thanksgiving- censured feasting and merriment.  Their religious idea of seeking divine deliverance from trying predicaments was to seek the Lord through prayer and fasting.  After having had their prayers answered, a day of Thanksgiving occurred with the observing of religious services.  The holiday celebrated as we know it today took its form some two hundred years later.

However, in 1789, America's first national Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed by President George Washington.  This observance was set apart to acknowledge the favor of the Almighty upon the newly formed country. The actual day, though, for which Thanksgiving was to be observed was a haphazard placement on the calendar, set as each of the state's governors reckoned it.  The date of Thanksgiving was to continue without national unity for seventy five more years.
This confusion drove Mrs. Sarah Josepha Hale, then editor of the Victorian Godey's Lady's Book to devote three decades of her life to promote a national declaration of a one-day holiday to be observed as Thanksgiving.  She tirelessly wrote to every state governor and ten presidents.  (Talk about a woman with a mission!)  Her plea fell on the deaf ears of male politicians.  At last she realized her efficacious position as editor of America's most influential nineteenth-century women's periodicals.  Mrs. Hale appealed to the women, wives, and homemakers of America.  It is worth to note her appeal.

She wrote over one hundred and fifty years ago:

"I have thus endeavored to lay before my readers one of the strongest wishes of my heart, convinced that the general estimate of feminine character throughout the United States will be far from finding it an objection that this idea of American Union Thanksgiving was suggested by a woman.  The enjoyments are social, the feastings are domestic; therefore this annual festival is really the exponent of family happiness and household piety, which women should always seek to cultivate in their hearts and in their homes.  God gave to man authority, to woman influence: she inspires and persuades; he convinces and compels.  It has always been my aim to use my influence in this womanly ways."

Amen, Mrs. Hale!  And thank you for your tenacity; we all enjoy of your endeavors.

Mrs. Hale expounded on her idea featuring in the periodical elaborate menus of Victorian interpretations of Pilgrim food fare- roast turkey, giblet gravy, creamed baby onions, and cranberry sauce.  She wrote spiritual stories of mercy and redemption which compel our hearts to give thanks.  She advocated, "Let Thanksgiving, our American holiday...awaken  in American hearts the love of home and of country, of thankfulness to God and peace between brethren."

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the first national proclamation that the observance of Thanksgiving should be the last Thursday in November which we still enjoy today.

I am thankful for the influence of women.
 

Have the most blessed of Thanksgiving days!

Sources: http://www.womenwriters.net/domesticgoddess/hale1.html
http://www.misconceptionjunction.com/index.php/2010/11/the-pilgrims-did-not-celebrate-the-first-thanksgiving-in-america/

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His Presence

I ponder this week about "Thanks" and "Thanksgiving".  What am I thankful for?  Family, friends, health, so many bountiful blessings.  But as I consider the things that I am thankful for I remember the Giver.  He is so good; all that is good.

"God's quest to be glorified

and our quest to be satisfied reach their goal in this one experience:

our delight in God which overflows in praise."  -John Piper

I love getting lost in God's presence......"Your grace has found me just as I am, empty handed but alive in Your hands.  Forever I am changes by Your love in the presence of Your majesty."

All of the problems, annoyances, stresses, and worries all melt away in His presence.  Take a moment today and listen to the song  below and get lost in His glorious Majesty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEfD93Ci-U0&feature=related

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Liebster Blog- Friends

Celebrating the

AWARD!  Yeah!

This was new to me; I love the idea. 

As Jennifer from "Renewing Housewives"

so graciously bestowed the Liebster Award to me,

I in turn choose five blogs that are as the German word "liebster" means

"dearest, friend, or love".

 This award is shared and given to up-and-coming blogs that have less than 200 followers.

To be honest, the five blogs that I chose to bestow the Liebster Blog Award to, may have more than 200 followers.   However, they are each "dear" to me in different ways and worthy of your visit.  Please let them know that Nicol from LOV sent you.

My five chosen blogs are~

Makingajoyfulhome.blogspot.com - Amy has a very blessed way of finding joy in the journey.

angietolpin.com/category/blog- This Amy has the heart to Leave a Legacy Purposefully.

TheCrimsonCoveredFarmLife.com- And this Amy- a pure coincidence! has a safe haven for encouragement, especially reaching out to victims of assault and rape.

BeTwixtandBetweenblog.com- Shelley's vocation is to encourage mentoring for Moms and young ladies.  Visit Shelley's home page then click on the top bar for the blog- you and your daughters will love it!

DeepIntoLove.com- Craig has incredible spritual insight and writes about it in a most creative, vulnerable, and intelligent way.

All of the above blogs are kindred spirits; they all promulgate godly living, homemaking, mentoring, and loving Jesus- all subjects close to my heart.  Visit them and I am sure you will be as blessed as I am.

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A Growing Award!

Wow! Oh my goodness!  Ladies Of Virtue Blog has received her first award!  Thank You!  What a wonderful surprise and encouragement!  God is good.

                                              
The "Liebster" is a German word meaning "friend, love, or dearest".  This award is shared and given to up-and-coming blogs that have less than 200 followers.  THANK YOU Jennifer from Renewing Housewives- I do so appreciate it!  Tomorrow I will discuss this "dearest" award and my five picks with you.

Today, I want to incorporate The Gypsy Mama's prompt of GROWING to share my heart with you.
This writing exercise is only to last for five minutes, so I will undoubtedly run  out of time.

GO.

When you are passionate about something you want to share it with the world.  Or at least influence as many people as you can.

A message, a topic, a vision which can change lives- "the Goodness of the Lord and the radiant life He gives us as Women."


So I pray, I write, I share, I ask for encouragement for myself through all of my life's blunders, I seek out wise women, I study, I live, I experience, and the passion grows stronger.

The numbers are small.  My reach could seem insignificant.  But YOU are reading (and I pray that you are encouraged).  I read YOUR words and I am encouraged.  Keep writing. I will too.

We water and we will grow as He adds to us.

STOP.

Have a blessed day dear friend.

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Blessed HOUSEwife

Oh dear housewife, do you know that you -yes, YOU- have the power to influence the world? 

For more on "housewives" read yesterday's a post below.

Today I want to encourage you concerning the most holy and sacred of vocations, that of Motherhood.  The poem here says so eloquently than my words are unable to paint.  The poem is over 100 years old written by a man.  When first published it was titled, "What Rules the World."

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
Is The Hand That Rules The World

 Blessings on the hand of women!

                                                       Angels guard its strength and grace,
                                                            In the palace, cottage, hovel, 

                                                         Oh, no matter where the place;

                                                       Would that never storms assailed it,
                                                         Rainbows ever gently curled;
                                                        For the hand that rocks the cradle
                                                         Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,

                                                           Power may with beauty flow,
                                                       Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
                                                       From them souls unresting grow--
                                                           Grow on for the good or evil,
                                                       Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
                                                         For the hand that rocks the cradle
                                                         Is the hand that rules the world.

                                                      Woman, how divine your mission
                                                           Here upon our natal sod!
                                                   Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
                                                        Always to the breath of God!
    
                                                         All true trophies of the ages
                                                    Are from mother-love impearled;
                                                     For the hand that rocks the cradle
                                                       Is the hand that rules the world.
                                                     Blessings on the hand of women!

                                                      Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
                                                      And the sacred song is mingled
                                                        With the worship in the sky--
                                                    Mingles where no tempest darkens,
                                                       Rainbows evermore are hurled;
                                                             
                                                        For the hand that rocks the cradle
                                                          Is the hand that rules the world. 

                                                                  published 1865

                                                   William Ross Wallace

Oh that our country would esteem Motherhood the same way!  Perhaps the morality of our culture would be so much for the better if that were so.  But we know.  And lest when dirty diapers, snotty noses, fights, and wining make you forget your sacred calling- look into the eyes of that dear one and consider the influence that you have upon that one life who will in turn influence countless people.

Print this poem out and keep it somewhere noticeable.

Have a great day -you house wife- who has the world in her hands.

Linking today with some great HOUSEwives~

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Housewife

Are you a house-wife?  Apparently, this can mean many different things to many different people.  Also, the compound word -housewife- can conger up just as many different visages.  What comes to your mind?

Housewife.

I usually do not get upset by what secular people say or write.  I expect them to have a secular view point, what else can they?  But I admit this article got me under the skin.  Perhaps because it is about a subject that crosses from our spiritual lives into the mundane and vice-versa.  And I am so passionate about this subject of HOUSEWIVES!

I was going to begin my long awaited study of Ladies Of Virtue (awaited by me, who has been procrastinating in writing it) but this article takes precedence.  If you would like, you can click to read it now (just remember to come back) or wait until after you finish this post. http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2011/11/14/the-evolution-of-the-housewife/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl25%7Csec1_lnk3%7C112411


Volumes could very realistically be written discoursing the various aspects of the house wife.  I will try to be succinct.  You, Christian woman -who live in your house with your husband and perhaps children- are you content in your role?  Or would you agree with the secular media that you need liberated from the demeaning title of housewife?

Whatever the other work that we may do outside of the home, ministries in which we serve, or ventures that we partake of, scripture is clear that the home is the domain for the family with the wife being the overseer of its affairs.  (See Titus 2 and Proverbs 31.)

                                                       Home allows us women to flourish-

We are managers

-accountants
-administrators

-counselors

-coaches

-judges

-law makers

-nurses

-cooks

-cleaners

-chauffeurs

-teachers

-communicants
-creators

 to name some of our tasks and opportunities.

As for "wasting" my talents while being at home -I garden, paint, love decorating, and hand crafts (that I use to beautify my home); I have teaching opportunities through bible studies, book clubs, and homeschool co-ops; I do graphic art for the situations named above, plus for my own managing tools.  I love to plan a meal, prepare it, and show hospitality to those who enjoy those efforts. I write on this blog (from my home) reaching women all over the world.  My home is my realm where I can grow and flourish, not to mention providing that same disposable to others.

What are your talents and skills that you are using from home?

Dear Christian sister let us REVEL in our vocation of being a house wife.  It is God's wisdom to confound the wise.  Let us be HAPPY in our homes, not discontent and grumbling like the daughters of the world.  Let us not be ashamed to be called "housewife" for to the discerning that word is a definition with infinite possibilities.

Visit tomorrow to read about one of the most important opportunities that we have as house wives.
 

Linking today with Time-warp-wife.www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.com

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Unexpected

Putting mumbled thoughts and words together onto the screen for five minutes today.The prompt from The Gypsy Mama is UNEXPECTED.

GO.

Eight days ago a group of men were living at the climax of their careers.   Their lives full of the abundant fruit of their labors through the years.

Then the UNEXPECTED happened.  Some brave soul spoke up.  They spoke up for the tragedy that had occurred a few years before.  A tragedy, that was so unexpected to them, could not be held back any longer.  The silence is always broken by the sound of truth.

Now eight days after the fallout in the media three men are facing criminal charges.  Two others, whose reputation for their culmination of dedicated work, were tossed aside like yesterday's old newspaper.

Truth always prevails- sooner or later.  And what is expected becomes unexpected.

"Open your mouth, judge righteously,

And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy."

-Proverbs 31:9

STOP.

I have a vested interest in PennState University (I am a student there as well as my sister.)  The shame I felt for the Univ. concerning the actions of this group of men was restored to pride in hearing the decision of the Univ. Board to displace its President. It is good to defend the needy and speak out against the injustice of the afflicted.

Prayers go for the victims and their families.


 

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Remember

Tapping out words this morning for five minute only with ladies from The Gypsy Mama.  During a breakout session at Relevant, a room full of bloggers got to do this 5-minute writing exercise.  I love what Lisa-Jo told us, "There are no rules in 5-minute Fridays!!"

Today's prompt is REMEMBER.

GO.

The prompt is BECOMING.

I sit in this room full of other writers.  I cannot help but notice the sound of tapping fingers onto key pad letters, getting banged with such velocity that my thoughts are hard to organize.  Thankfully, not every woman brought a handy laptop with them, so most of us are scratching out words onto paper with old fashioned graphite.  Before I know it the five minutes are up.  Unusually I actually finish before the timer is sounded.  I think having had this particular prompt before, the same subject matter comes to mind.

Becoming- each day is a challenge and a blessed opportunity to become more like Him- unto that final day when we see Him face to face.

As a handful of others ladies read aloud their words woven so beautifully, I am amazed by the giftings and talent.  All have hearts to become more like Him.

I am thankful to have sisters encouraging me along this journey.

I will remember their words.  And I pray that they REMEMBER to keep weaving their words into stories and exhortations because I need them.

                                               

The link to The Gypsy Mama.

Sisterhood

HI Ladies,

I wanted to write everything that I was experiencing at Relevant as I was experiencing it, but the time was too full.  Then I went home (don't you wish that you could stay on the mountain top a lot longer sometimes?), throwing me in the midst of Life.  Figure that.  And now it is four days and a page-turn on the calendar later!  So I am grabbing a few moments this morning before I take my daughter to co-op to share some thoughts with you.

First, PLEASE- please -please- do not let any one's talk about Relevant or anything else make you feel "out of the circle".  I know that some times when I hear about something great going on and I am missing it , then I can feel very isolated and lonely- or just not part of "it".  But I have to tell you that that feeling of isolation is not uncommon among all women, and I believe that the Holy Spirit is doing a work in Christ's body of uniting women's hearts in the bond of Christ and sisterly love.  THAT is one of the main themes that I had been pondering before Relevant and a recurring theme at Relevant.

The enemy wants us to feel all alone, but God's Holy Spirit is bringing to the forefront of our awareness that He wants His daughters to have an intimate bond of sisterhood.  Imagine relationships without competition, without malice, without self-seeking.  Aaaah- doesn't that sound refreshing?  Imagine joining hearts and hands with your sisters, sharing each other's joys, sorrows, and burdens.  That is what I see the Holy Spirit doing among us.

I am thrilled because that is what I wanted for LOV (Ladies Of Virtue) from the beginning- to create a community of women who are sisters in Christ, joining together on this journey of biblical womanhood, a distinct path with all the delights of living a godly life that is uniquely feminine.  Will you join in spirit?


This is a picture of my dear friend Angela Dively and I.  We were roomies.  She writes at AltogetherHis.com when a fire is under her bottom.

Blogging Bash and Relevant

I am heading to The Relevant Conference this weekend where I will hopefully meet you.  If you are unable to attend or are not even sure what Relevant is about, visit Courtney's site at the below link-up.  She will be posting video clips regularly from the conference.  Last year was such a tremendous refreshment for me spiritually...I left wanting more of Jesus, live with greater love towards my family, and a refreshed desire to write.  This year is sure not to disappoint.  I am looking forward to meeting some of the ladies that I regularly link up to such as LisaJo from The Gypsy Mama and Darlene Schact from The-time-Warp-Wife.

So THIS POST is for all of you visiting through the BLOG BASH 2011 link-up.  It is a pleasure to "meet" you (if I have not before!)

My name is Nicol spelled without an "e"; I guess my Mom wanted me to be "special".  In actuality I just seem to spend time explaining to people that "no my name does not have an 'e'"..."yes, it is different."  To add to that, my husband Aric, as you just read, spells his name with an "A" not the usual way of "Eric".  Our last name is "Epple" so sometimes people get it mixed up and think he is "Eric Apple".  Explaining this confusion is a conversation starter...."My husband is an identical twin.  His brother's initials spell ACE and his father wanted the same for my husband, thus the unusual spelling of "Aric".  I always like to digress into a conversation about twins.  My husband and his brother would be perfect laboratory specimens for twin psychological testing if they were so willing.

So a little about myself.  Maybe I should or could use this post for my "Hostess" page.  If you have visited there you will still find it blank.  All of these nuisances I am sharing, give you a little glimpse to my idiosyncrasiess which speak for themselves.  I DO procrastinate.  Organized I usually am and planning things is one of my favorite tasks.  However, some tasks though they remain on my "to do" list for weeks, I may not "get" to them until I have to.  It was a necessity for me to change the colors of LOV for the Fall, but writing about myself, well, I guess, I just procrastinate.  A little shy maybe.  I love to write, but writing about myself knowing that YOU are reading what I am writing to know more about ME, just kind of makes me shy away.  Though if you met me in person you would soon realize that I am very out-going.  As a girl I was very shy and I think that it has been God's grace working through me to go beyond my own insecurities and reach out to others.

So, with procrastinating no longer I give you a very short bio of myself.

I have known the Lord and Saviour Jesus Chirst since I was 16.  Three years later I married.  We have been married for twenty plus years so you can do the math as to my age.  Aric and I have four children: two teen boys and two girls (who are our princesses).  I have always enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom.  My home is my dominion and the place where my talents and skills can flourish.  It is a platform for my main service to our Lord- wife, mother, home maker, and hostess of hospitality.  I have done the bookkeeping for my husband's businesses for about 12 years now.  This keeps me plenty busy along with having home educated my children for thirteen years.  My oldest is graduated and just this year my youngest who is nine is attending a Montessori school.  The other two teens are studying at home.  We have a Golden named Cayla who adds lots of love and fur/dust balls to our wooden floors.
  
At my husband's idea I enrolled in college this year.  What a new adventure!  Here I am sitting with most students of whom I could be their Mother.  That is strange, but I am enjoying the whole experience.   With the foundation of the Word that I have, I am able to filter and gleam all of the information to see the Big Picture of God's hand throughout history. I love that and love learning.  For me at this time in my life, attending the University is working and has been a wonderful experience thus far.  The educational road ahead of me is long, but I have my goal as my focus: I want to write and teach about "Womens' Influence Upon Culture throughout History".  That is actually the title of the Letters, Arts, & Sciences degree I am earning.  Needless to say, I still clean my house, plan the family's schedule, help the children with their lessons, chauffeur children, budget and pay bills, shop, cook, and all of the other tasks that we do as women- my time for writing has been stinted.

Encouraging women remains a burning desire in my heart.  I have lead or written bible studies for women, teens, and girls for about sixteen years now.  Seven years ago I went forward with my desire to connect with other women for prayer, support, and encouragement; I started Ladies Of Virtue.  We meet monthly for bible study, prayer, and fellowship.  I soon realized the benefit of women connecting and I wanted to extend my reach to encourage women and teach truths from scripture.  Combining my love for writing I brought LOV to the Internet community in 2007.   My goal for Ladies Of Virtue is to provide a platform where women can receive encouragement and biblical instruction to build us up in our roles as godly women, wives, mothers, sisters, servants, and homemakers. I discuss my ponderings and studies from scripture covering topics on womanhood, femininity, marriage, parenting, godliness, homemaking (which offers a limitless supply of topics some of which include cooking, cleaning, organizing, budgeting, decorating, crafting, and the list goes on), and anything else that peaks my interest.              Here is where I write for LOV on my laptop

in my kitchen.  I really DO have flowers there and a candle burning (I didn't just "stage"it).  I surround myself with all of the sensual catalysts for creativity and comfort that I can, including strong, hot coffee!

                                   

This is my chair in our sun room where I spend time in prayer and studying.  You can see the book shelves beside it that hold about one-eighth of my book collection.  Give me air, give me water, and I must have books!

If you have graced me with your visit, please leave a comment so that I can "know" you too.

 

Here is the link up for the Relevant Blog Bash

Beyond

This morning as the darkness of night still paints the sky and I "stop, drop, and write" for a few moments about BEYOND and what it brings to my mind.

I study the scriptures and put them in topical sense.  I do this so that I might share with you hope and encouragement- BEYOND- we will KNOW just as "we have been made known".

I endure hurts and heartaches, disappointments and sorrows- just as you- I remember that BEYOND there will be no more tears.  All will be perfect.

I wash dishes, clean toilets, make beds, and car pool children- for today.  These sanctified tasks are holy because I am living in the BEYOND now.  Not fully, in part to be sure, but I have one foot in and what a glorious day it will be- to be fully bodied in BEYOND.  How about you?


Linking today with the Gypsy Mama.

Catch

Letting words topple from my head to hands for just five minutes....
Today's prompt with The Gypsy Mama is CATCH-

I sit here with my fingers placed on the keys ready to type- fast.  Ususally in these 5-minute prompt writings my  thoughts are flowing so free that they threaten to topple nonsensical onto the screen as I anxiously race that five minute clock.

Today I just....hmm?  "What is the first thing that comes to mind when I hear 'catch'?"  Well, there was that baseball I wish that I had caught before my little blonde haired boy tossed it through our living room window.

There are the colds of the season that I do NOT want to catch....and the flus.

What do I want to catch this morning?
Fire- I want to catch that fire when I see His other disciples blazing hot with zeal for His kingdom.

I want to catch that love I see in others with light in their eyes as they speak of His workings in their life.

I want to catch dreams that make me aspire towards the clouds.

I want to catch every good thing that the Father has for me.  The list is too long to fill in a blog post but I will name these: GRACE and JOY and PEACE and CONTENTMENT and A LIFE WITH OUT "SHOULD DO'S and SHOULD HAVE DONE'S" and SECURITY and PURPOSE.... and my time has run out. 

THOSE things I want to catch and never let go of.



 

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Fall Colors

"The fields are harvested and bare,

And Winter whistles through the square.

October dresses in flame and gold

Like a woman afraid of growing old."

-Anne Mary Lawler

Autumn is here! a favorite time of the year.

How do you like the new fall look for LOV?  Thank you Traci from OrdinaryInspirations.blogspot.com !

I am an old fashioned fashionista that does not wear open-toed shoes when they would get cold.  Pastels and white only don my body after Labor Day if they are connected to fur or a dark color.  I always need change of visual color; I am so thankful that the Creator changes our scenery constantly.

Enjoy the brilliance of God's handiwork this season.


Linking today with ladies from

Friends

Writing for 5 minutes today with others about FRIENDS.  How do we embody all that a friend is in just five minutes?

GO.

You are my friend when waves are smooth and we play and splash in life's adventures or even the adventures that we make for each other.

You are my friend when the waves roll.  We talk, we vent, we laugh.  We ride the waves together.

You are my friend when toss and tempest separate our holding of hands.  Life's bellows roll over us.  Not usually at the same time.  Your prayers hold me up above the water when otherwise my head would go under.  And my prayers for you reach out and make sure you are secure with your Life Vest.

You are friend and you always shall be.  We laugh, we cry, we share heart aches and mishaps.  We swim together and it would not be the same with out you.

STOP.



 
 

Visit other friends at  thegypsymama.com

A Confession and God's Goodness

I have a confession to make, but first, I want you to read the following scripture very carefully.

"What leads to strife and how do conflicts originate among you?  Do they not rise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?  You are jealous and covet (what others have) and your desires go unfulfilled; (so) you become murderers.  You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain (the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek),  so you fight and war.  You do not have, because you do not ask. Or you do ask God for them and fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives.  Your intention is (when you get what you desire) to spend it in sensual pleasure. You (are like) unfaithful wives (having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God!)  .....Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit (to be welcome) with a jealous love.  But He gives more grace (power to of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully.)  That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty , but gives grace (continually) to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it.) ~James 4:1-4, 4-6 Amplified

Does that living word cut into your heart and bring to light any thought and intentions that were hidden deep within its recesses?

A couple of week's ago I was lamenting with a friend that while I feel called to write and teach I do not feel like it is going anywhere.  The desire to encourage and comfort.women in their Christian faith is a fire burning in my belly.  However, I often struggle with envy.  There it is that green, ugly word- ENVY.  What else can I call it?  When I see other bloggers grow without measure, their ministry exploding- I want that for myself.  I want to have thousands of readers hanging on my words, be asked to do radio shows, and television cameos. But why?  Is it so that thousands of women are comforted and exhorted or so that I can feel more important?  I have to admit that it is both.  But therein, lies the struggle and warring within myself.  The battling between my heart and mind and my logic and desires. 

"Why do I have such a strong desire to share the abundant Life in Christ?"  I answer myself, "Because I want to see them living it too."  I have prayed for more open doors, more opportunities to write and teach.   Time passes and things remain idle.

A shadow in the background of my heart whispers to me, "Then why can you not rejoice when others are doing well and being used mightily by God?"   Ugh!  I know the creed of the Upside-down-blogger: I write for One and leave the fruit of my labors for Him to grow.  I know not to compare myself with others.  I known that we are each unique individuals with a unique work.  Then I visit blogs, read the books, hear of their news and I turn green.

The battle!  That is what it feels like, a tug-of-war within my soul. 

I confess this to a friend.  I pray and ask God to help me be glad about other's success.  I remain aware of my sinful heart, but trust that He will help.  Still. I expect a Divine scolding, a reprimand, and a pruning.  

The next day at our church service I am asked to lead the Women's Retreat.  I am floored;  humility cloaks me.  "You want ME?"  I feel so honored.  And in that moment I had a fresh sweet taste of God's goodness.  He was saying to my heart that He purifies my motives, He hears, He gives me my desires, and He has me right where He wants me. 

Can you feel the comfort in that?  The release of selfishness?  I am in awe that my Father granted my desire and opened this door.  That Goodness humbles me.  In this moment I am content.  I am gratified.

I am happy for YOU.   May YOU who are writing be blessed mightily.

 

Linking today with Women living Well, A Holy Expereince and Raising Homemakers.

Growing Pains

GROWING.

Growing sounds like a wonderful, splendid thing.  And it is.

But to grow big, grow up, grow wise, there always exists growing PAINS.

I am experiencing this now through my daughter.  Being always educated at home this is her first year in a school setting.  I thought that the Montessori approach would be a smooth transition for her.  It should be.
But overshadowing her education experience has been her new experience with MEAN girls.  I should have known; known that THEY are everywhere.  But it as been since I was in school that I have seen them around affecting me personally.

My daughter is going through a life growing experience learning how to handle unpleasant situations and people. She cries.  Her belly aches.  I do the same FOR her.  These growing pains are not pleasant and as with any pain I want it to be relieved.

The saving grace is that she is growing and I am too.

Linking today with other five minute heart-word weavers at

Hide God's Word in Your Heart

Hide God's Word in your heart- store it up for the future.

"Let the word spoken by Christ the Messiah have its home in your hearts and minds and dwell in you in all its richness as you teach and admonish and train one another..."

-Colossians 3:16a, Amplified

As I grow older and my walk with the Lord deepens, I am more and more convinced that He wants His word to become a part of us.  His word is all that shall stand.  His word is our anchor in this ocean wave-tossing life.  His word is an expression of Himself in His Son Jesus (John 1:1,14)  Scripture is His annointed word to us.

In a recent post I encouraged you to eat daily of His word till it becomes part of your muscles and marrow.  And it does; His word becomes entwined in your heart and soul.  His Word abides in us (1John 2:14)  His Word becomes a part of us that is ready to instruct, exhort, and encourage when the opportunity requests it. (2Timothy 4:2)

I have also been thinking that one of the best ways to incorporate His word (notice the word "incorporate" literally means "to put into the body") is to go beyond reading it.  But to read it, pray over it, meditate on its meaning and the One who speaks it, and to MEMORIZE IT.  Jesus tells us, "Remember the word that I said unto you." (John 15:20a)

So I am bringing accountability to myself as I write, that I will begin the discipline of memorizing a verse a week. (I know some fabulous ladies who are memorizing entire books; a verse or two a week is enough to feed me for now.)

If you want to endeavor in this challenge with me, keep the prize before you- His Holy Spirit brings to your remembrance His word in you.  You will be a healing salve to the hurting soul and a balm to her who needs a word of encouragement in due season.  The effective words will be on the tip of your tongue when disciplining your children and the Spirit will bear witness in them that what you are saying is true.  When battles with the enemy cannot be avoided you will fight him with our weapon of defense and offense- His word. (Ephesians 6:17)

Are you ready? 

Linking today with WomenLivingWell and RaisingHomemakers.

Homemaking Tips- Organizing- "Sort through your Recipes"

Do you do as I do and print out recipes from your favorite cooking sites?  Or scrawl the recipes on whatever scratch paper that you have at hand?  Do you collect cooking magazines or rip out recipes from Ladies magazines with the intention of trying them out someday?

Where do all of these recipes end up?  and how do you find them when you want to?

After a year of adding these mismatched papers and torn magazine pages to twenty-plus years of other favorite recipes, the assortment was overflowing and tumbling out of my Hoosier cabinet like Niagra Falls that could not be damned up.  I needed to get them organized so that I could find the recipe that I am in search of when I need it.

This week's tip is to sort through your recipes.

For twenty years I have had my recipes organized in two boxes: one for deserts and the other for entres. However, it was long ago that the recipe cards began to overflow these two little boxes.  I have so many now that when I open the door of my Hoosier cabinet where they are housed, the cards tumble out!

I had had the intention of doing this project since last winter and in my quest I have found that there are many ways recipe cards can be creatively stored.  With the renewed rage in cooking these days you should be able to find these kind of recipe holders in a wide variety.  I have found several recipe holders that are similar to photo albums, the kind that you could slip a photo (or recipe) in its own individual sleeve.  The other day I purchased one that can stand on its own with the recipe card sealed in plastic so that it will not get my messy-cook fly-aways on it.  I like the stand because my messy fingers always leave marks on the cards.  (Messy cooks are good cooks right?)  I am saving this one for cookie recipes.  

When I have a recipe card I use a metal reicipe card holder that I have acquired, this helps from me having to pick up the card so often. By the way I have bought an assortment of attractive blank recipe cards and will rewrite all of the ones covered in grease spots or the ones that I had printed out from the computer onto paper.  They will be much easier to find in this form that just papers sitting on a shelf.  Also, if you are going to take the time to rewrite the recipe, make sure it is one that you want to keep.  I have been sorting through and finally tossed into the garbage many reicipes that my family does not like, or I accumulated with the intention of trying (like Greek moussaka that I never did make).  I will categorize the recipes such as Breakfast, Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Entres: Beef, Poultry, Seafood, Deserts, Cookies, Drinks, and Holiday Specials. In all honesty this has been an ongoing, albeit quite relaxed summer project for me- but the progress is apparent and I appreciate my efforts when it is time to meal plan.   



I love to receive recipe cards in the giver's handwriting. When I pull the cards from their recipe box and begin to cook I immediately feel close and connected with the person that graciously shared their cooking secrets.  Some day (not this week!) I would like to create a recipe journal or recipe scrapbook of family recipes. I would like to give one to each of my daughters (and future daughters-in-law). But until I have time to undertake that project I would just like to organize my cards so that they are not overflowing in the boxes.



Look forward to the soon-coming Fall days when the chill in the air will bring a desire to fill your kitchen with the waft of sweet smelling baked goods and comfort foods and your recipes will be ready and waiting for use.

Linking today with