Serious Stuff

I have been privilaged to attend two wedding in the last month.  Our friend Nathan was blessed to marry a wonderful woman, Lindsay.  I get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside when I think of them because Lindsay is perfect for Nathan and I am excited!

The other wedding was very special to our family.  Andy's younger brother, Luke, married Bekah Blume!  We love Luke and Bekah tons and it is amazing to see them grow and learn in love!  Eli was the ringer bearer for them, making that day even more meaningful.

photo by Scott McEvlain

While I was watching the beautiful ceremonies both couples had, I was struck by the seriousness of marriage and the vows a husband and wife make to each other.  When a couple exchanges rings, they place the ring on the other person's finger while saying, "I wed thee in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."  That is intense!  Quite a group of witnesses!  In my vows to Andy I pledged to love him when it was hard and we had no money and I didn't feel good and I was tired and he was annoying.

I love being married to Andy, but am I living up to my vows?  Do I love him?  Unconditionally?

What to do with those crowns?

As I mentioned last week, I am doing Precepts Upon Precepts study of James and learning so much!  My 'nugget' this week?

CROWNS!

James 1:12 says when believers persevere under trial they will be approved and receive the crown of life that Jesus promised to those who love him.  Several other verses reference crowns that Christians can receive when the Lord comes back.
Believers receive an imperishable wreath when they run the race. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
The crown of righteousness is laid up for all those who loved Christ's appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)
Teachers will receive the crown of glory when the Chief Shepherd has appeared. (1 Peter 5:4)
The crown of exultation is for those who spread the good news. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)

The BEST part of what I learned came in Revelation 4:10-11!  Twenty-four elders are worshiping Jesus on His throne in Heaven and they throw their crowns, the ones they earned for being faithful, enduring trials, preaching and teaching God's word, at Jesus' feet!  The only right and proper and acceptable thing to do with those crowns is to give them back to the One who is worthy!

All I have ever had or will have comes from God and is because of God.  What is my reasonable act of worship?  the only thing that makes sense?  To give ALL I have to my Savior!  After all, it was His to begin with!

Unhindered Running

Hebrews 12:1 says "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race which is set before us."

My 3 year old son, Eli, goes to preschool.  He loves it.  Eli is a social butterfly.  He likes the kids and he loves his teachers.  When he walked into the room today he saw Ms. Becky, yelled hi, dropped his backpack off his shoulders in one swift motion and ran across the room to give her a hug.

Seeing him cast the burden of his backpack aside so he could get where he was going as quickly as possible made me think of Hebrews 12.  I need to be that single-minded in my pursuit of Christ.  Not letting anything stop me.

A child's joy reminds me to seek Christ.  That is a finer thing!

James- My new love

Yes, I have a new love, his name is James.  However, don't worry and call my husband, James lived 2000 years ago or so.  And I don't really love him, just his epistle to the church.

For Precepts this fall we are studying James and if that were not enough, I am also teaching a 5 week study on James for the ladies at my church.  I am loving it and I'm sure themes from James will arise throughout the next few months as I immerse myself in the book.

photo courtesy of Precepts Ministries International

The thought I have for today is from Kay Arthur's lesson on James 1 last week.  She said James is not about Ephesians 2:8-9, how a person can be saved, but rather it is about Ephesians 2:10, how to live once you are saved.  The book of James really is a 'how to' manual for Christian living!

Book Review: The Vigilante's Bride

I received this book from Bethany House Publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way.

I got two FICTION books to review the same day and I decided to start with The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris, because it looked less interesting than the other book.  I went into it expecting it to be run-of-the-mill Christian romance.

Plot Summary:  Orphaned girl, Emily, in a group home reaches marriagable age and is sent west to marry a older, wealthy rancher in exchange for a donation to the orphanage.  Turns out the guy, Mr. Axel, is a jerk; unfaithful, abusive and theiving to name a few.  Emily is kidnapped in a stage coach robbery by a vigilante, Luke.  A man who is part of a group who take justice for cattle rustlers into their own hands (there is no law in some parts of Montana in 1884).  After a variety of mishaps, and Luke's return to the Lord, the two realize they complete each other!

I expected the ending and did not fall in love with any of the characters, but was entertained while reading.  I would certainly read more books by Harris.

I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Applesauce

My Grammy gave me a bucket of apples from her backyard.  These are organic since she doesn't do anything to them ;) 

They are not real pretty, but Grammy told me they are great in pies.  I had seen a recipe for crockpot applesauce and wanted to try it.

In crockpot with cinnamon and a bit of sugar

It turned out wonderful!

Blended with the hand mixer

In jars, ready for snacks!

Book Review: The Devil in Pew Number Seven

Much thanks to Tyndale Publishers for sending me this book to review in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way.


The memories of a girl combined with her parents journals, eyewitness interviews, old newspaper clippings and court documents come together in an almost unbelievable true story.

This story was very interesting and easy to read.  The names of the small town folks did get confusing, but knowing exactly who everyone is, is not relevant to following the story.  While the book kept my attention, I am not convinced it is totally true.  These events took place decades ago, so memories may be skewed.  I do, however, certainly believe this family was harassed by a church member.

The moral of the story is remarkable.  The ability to forgive is divine.  When we forgive we become free.  That this family can forgive their tormentors is a wonderful example of God's love, grace and forgiveness to us.