Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, but His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, but is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet. Or we’ll walk by His side in the way. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey.

~ John H. Sammis, 1867

"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession." Exodus 19:5

"O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in You." Psalm 84:11-12

J. C. Ryle Quote

"A small leak will sink a great ship, and a small spark will kindle
a great fire and a little sin in like manner will ruin an immortal soul"

~ J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)

"Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards."
Song of Solomon 2:15

The Quest is Over

Another aunt sent the recipe that she had for Chicken and Dumplings that is in Grandma's handwriting. I can't wait to try these and then of course-practice, practice, practice!

Grandma's Chicken and Dumplings

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 t baking powder
5 T water
1/2 cup milk
3 T bacon fat
1 egg beatin

Roll out and cut, let dry for 20-25 mins.
Knead it on floured wax paper before rolling out.

Note: Grandma didn't use milk in a lot of her recipes. She substituted water.
She also used the egg shells to measure the water.

Chicken and Dumplings

Growing up, my mother's family spent many Sunday afternoons
eating dinner after church at Grandma's. The delicious meal that I
remember was the same each time: chicken and dumplings,
purple hull peas, & cornbread. For dessert: chocolate cake
with white icing one week, white cake with chocolate icing the next.

Grandma's been gone for a long time but memories of those
meals will never leave. The thing about it is that no one
can find her recipe. I have tried recipe after recipe but they have never
turned out like hers. But recently my aunt sent me the one that she
uses - and it is so close to Grandma's I'd like to share it with you.
I'm sure it would be more like hers if I practiced every Sunday for
years and years, like she did.

Aunt Bernice's Chicken and Dumplings

Boil chicken and let cool. I debone it.

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons shortening
1 egg, beaten
5 tablespoons cold water

Mix into soft dough and divide into two parts.
Roll out very thin and let dry for 15 to 25 minutes.
Cut into 2 inch squares or strips and drop into boiling
broth with chicken. Cook for 15 minutes or until done.

Hope they turn out well.

Martin Luther

"Tomorrow I plan to work, work, from early until late. In fact, I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer."

~Martin Luther (1483-1546) A German monk, theologian, and church reformer.

Wartburg Castle- Eisenach, Germany where Martin Luther translated the New Testament from Greek into German while in exile during 1521.

The view from the corridor that leads to Luther's room.

Martin Luther's room where he translated the Bible.

The chapel where Luther worshipped during his stay at Wartburg.

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.
(This translation by Frederic Hedge, 1853)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther

October

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call,
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes' sake, if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost--
For the grapes' sake along the wall.

~Robert Frost (1874-1963)

George MacDonald

"The universe would be to me no more than a pasteboard scene,
all surface and no deepness, on the stage, if I did not hope in God.
I will not say believe, for that is a big word, and it means so much
more than my low beginnings of confidence. But a little faith
may wake a great big hope, and I look for great things from him
whose perfection breathed me out that I might be a perfect thing one day.
The more we trust, the more reasonable we find it to trust."

~George MacDonald, a Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister. (1824-1905)

A quote from C.S. Lewis on MacDonald:

"I have never concealed the fact that I regarded him as my master;
indeed I fancy I have never written a book in which I did not quote him"