Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~John 8:31-32


Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word;
Curb those who fain by craft and sword
Would wrest the Kingdom from Thy Son
And set at naught all He hath done.

Lord Jesus Christ, Thy power make known,
For Thou art Lord of lords alone;
Defend Thy Christendom that we
May evermore sing praise to Thee.

O Comforter of priceless worth.
Send peace and unity on earth.
Support us in our final strife
And lead us out of death to life.

~Martin Luther, 1541

Let's Have Some Fun

Thanks to Shannon for the Line Rider link. Have you read Rocks In My Dryer yet?

The Book Club

We'll be meeting December 2nd, Tuesday night, 7:30 PM at Midnight Oil. I hope you all have enjoyed The Mysterious Benedict Society! Bring your ABC list of interesting words you found and as always, bring a new book suggestion. Did anyone happen to catch the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde reference?

Thanksgiving 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

So Spoke Her Son

I’m so deeply honored to be granted the privilege of writing the first – the very first – guest post on this blog, that I am making full use of fall break, spreading out my guest post research notes all over the kitchen table, developing carpal tunnel syndrome, straining my eyes, and finally producing this final masterpiece of literature.

Maybe that’s overstating it a little bit, but you get the picture. This guest post shouldn’t be taken as an actual serious post. Nothing will be gained from reading this. And I should say that I’m a little out of my demographics here. I’m not a married woman with children. So…with that disclaimer…here is my post.

I’m happy to present a list of my favorite songs that married women with children may or may not like!

Brightly Wound – Eisley
So I Thought – Flyleaf
Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Viva La Vida – Coldplay
Shine – Collective Soul
Zombie – The Cranberries
Invisible Sun – The Police

I’ve even put together a handy little playlist so that you can try the music out just for yourself.


Hypster.com Playlist.

Organization

Organized people are just too lazy to get up and look for it!
~unknown

Our Children in Church

Pastor Wilson has some encouraging words posted on the topic of children in church:

Toddlers on Your Lap

Psalm 117

Let all peoples praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!
For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
and the truth of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the LORD! ~Psalm 117

Hot Drink Mixes

My Mocha Mix

2 cups powdered milk
2 cups plain coffee creamer
2 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa
1 cup Nescafe instant coffee

Hot Spiced Tea Mix

2 cups Lipton lemon ice tea mix
2 cups Tang orange drink mix
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves

An Old Proverb

One kind word can warm three cold winter months.

Reformed Pastor

Our pastor's sermon notes are now online, you can find them on his blog:

Reformedpastor.com

Art for Kids

This art book for kids is one that we have completely worn out. Lots and lots of ideas, very practical. I'm also glad to have found these two helpful art blogs. They both are creative and have wonderful projects.

Bookou Crafts

Art Projects for Kids

We recently did the turkey scratch drawing from Art Projects for Kids that turned out to be lots of fun. I've got my eye on this turkey, he looks really cute and perfect for little ones to make:

Turkey Spoon Craft

Broccoli Cheese Soup

1/2 cup butter
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli
4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 (1 pound) loaf processed cheese food, cubed
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2/3 cup cornstarch
1 cup water

DIRECTIONS
In a stockpot, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion in butter until softened. Stir in broccoli, and cover with chicken broth. Simmer until broccoli is tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

Reduce heat, and stir in cheese cubes until melted. Mix in milk and garlic powder.

In a small bowl, stir cornstarch into water until dissolved. Stir into soup; cook, stirring frequently, until thick.

~Karin Christian

Thou Who Art Three in Unity

Thou who art Three in unity,
True God from all eternity,
The sun is fading from our sight,
Shine Thou on us with heavenly light.

We praise Thee with the dawning day,
To Thee at even also pray;
With our poor song we worship Thee
Now, ever, and eternally.

Let God the Father be adored,
And God the Son, the only Lord,
And God the Holy Spirit be
Adored throughout eternity!

~An imitation from the Gregorian hymn, "O lux beata trinitas."

Smooth Jazz

Old times + great memories = Earl Klugh's Soda Fountain Shuffle.

Soda Fountan Shuffle

Earl Klugh

Sunsets

Many gorgeous sunsets are enjoyed from our home.

Silver Platters and Everyday Dishes

by Debbie Allred

"It's just a Silver Platter,"
Cried the Everyday Dish,
As the Master took it from it's
Place and polished it.
"How can he keep it there with
Nothing to do all day?
He only uses it once in a while
To put it on display.
But I on the other hand work
Very hard all day.
I never get a special occasion
For which to be on display."

"It's just an Everyday Dish,"
The Silver Platter said,
As the Master used it for the seventh
Time before he retired to bed.
"Why does he seem to care for it,
And use it everyday?
Since it's just an Everyday Dish
And can never be on display."
But I on the other hand sit
Here all the day.
I'm never used the seventh time.
I must wait to be on display.

"O Lord I thank thee for they goodness,"
Said the Master as he prayed.
"I have both an Earthen Vessel
And a Silver Platter for display.
By thy hand you have made a very great house,
And given strength to us all
By thy bounty in the vessels
Whether great or whether small.
They are both only vessels by
Which you serve your food.
Help us to remember
To in them place the good."

So we are only vessels, Lord
By which you serve your food.
Help us to depend on you to in us
Place the good.
That we might serve you worthily
Whether it be everyday,
Or perhaps an occasion of your choice
To serve while on display.

~Debbie shared this poem with a ladies group many years ago, during a wonderful Bible study where she walked us through the Life of David.

High Flight Society

We had the chance to have a meal with John Packer (far right) of the Christian rock band High Flight Society, and get to know him and his girlfriend Anna. John, his brother, Michael and two other friends formed a band in Cedartown, Georgia and have been hard at work over the last 8 years to build it up. They tour all over the country and when John is not performing he is busy doing graphic design. Their song Sweet Redeemer reached #47 on the CRW Top 100 Rock Songs chart for 2007. You can see more about them on MySpace. If you like rock try out their album, you'll enjoy it.

High Flight Society on MySpace

High Flight Society on Amazon

Taco Soup

When I make a recipe and someone asks the next day if there's anymore left, that's a good sign that it's a good one. This taco soup is from Paula Deen and it's one that is asked about until it's gone. Great for lunch with a sandwich or salad.


Taco Soup

2 lb ground beef
2 cup diced onions
1 15 1/2-ounce cans pink kidney beans
2 15-1/2 ounce cans pinto beans
1 15 1/4-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
1 14 1/2-ounce can Mexican tomatoes
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 14 1/2-ounce can tomatoes with chilies
2 4 1/2-ounce cans diced green chilies
1 small can black olives, drained and sliced (optional)
1/2 cup green olives, sliced (optional)
1 1 1/4-ounce package taco seasoning mix
1 1-ounce package ranch salad dressing mix
Corn chips
Sour cream
Grated cheese
Chopped green onions
Jalapenos

Directions:
Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large crackpot or a stockpot. Add the beans, corn, green onions, tomatoes, chilies, olives, and seasonings, and cook on low setting all day (6 to 8 hours) if using a crock pot, or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a stockpot on the stove. To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them. Top with sour cream, cheese, and jalapenos.

Yield: 12 to 16 servings Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 8 hours crock pot, 1 hour stock pot method

Paula Deen Online

If you'd like to make your own taco seasoning mix try this:

Taco Seasoning Mix

2 tsp. instant minced onion
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. crushed dried red pepper
1/2 tsp. instant minced garlic
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. ground cumin

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until evenly distributed. After browning 1 lb. of ground beef, add the seasoning mix, along with 1/2 cup water, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. And there you have it -- your very own taco seasoning mix.

From~Sweet Peas and Happy Things

Count Your Blessings

Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee.

~Deuteronomy 8:2

The Book Club - Extra Credit

Just for Fun: As you're reading The Mysterious Benedict Society make a list of the alphabet and try to find unique words to fill in all of the ABC's. Feel free to assign more than one word to each letter. It might be more fun with an older book but let's do it anyway!

Two Sets of Triplets

Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Red Shoes and Flicka, Ricka, Dicka Bake a Cake are great picture books for kids. These two are part of a series of books about little Swedish boys and girls. Written and illustrated in 1954 by Maj Lindman. Bright, cheerful, warm and wholesome stories. I recommend them all!

The Beloved Triplet Series

Recipe Request

I'm looking for an old fashioned fudge recipe that doesn't use marshmallow creme, sweetened condensed milk or powdered sugar. One that's tried and true, know of one?

Today is Fun!

Lots of tips and ideas for fun stuff to do with kids.

Todayisfun.com

Praying Mantis

"I'm about as athletic as a praying mantis on steroids."

~My 19 year old

Beef in Burgundy Sauce

Lynda brought this dish along with her great homemade bread over when my 13 year old was a newborn and we have enjoyed this recipe ever since. We serve it over rice and like it says lots of French bread.

Beef in Burgundy Sauce

3 pounds lean beef chuck, cut into 1 inch cubes
1- 101/2 ounce can condensed consomme
1 cup V8 juice
1 cup burgundy wine
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1- 101/2 ounce can condensed onion soup
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
2 bay leaves
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/3 cup water

Combine all ingredients except cornstarch and water in a large saucepan. Cover and simmer slowly until meat is tender, about 2 hours. Stir occasionally. Remove bay leaves. Combine cornstarch and water; stir mixture into hot stew. Cook until sauce thickens. Serve with lots of French bread.

Cloud of Witnesses

In the glorious company of the apostles, the goodly fellowship of the prophets, the noble army of martyrs, the holy Church throughout all the world is one. Therefore year by year let us reverently commemorate their names, remembering what they were, but steadfastly gazing at what they are. Their very words are still ringing in our ears: of some the beloved image too is full before us. Let us live as they would bid us, could they still speak: let us fulfil their known behests, following in their steps, filling up the works that they began, carrying on their hallowed offices, now bequeathed to our care; let us be like them in deadness to sin, and unceasing homage to our unseen Lord. As we grow holier, we grow nearer to them; to be like them is to be with them; even now they are not far from us, we know not how nigh.

~Henry Edward Manning (1808-1892)

Wartburg Castle

1521 January 3 Excommunicated in Rome
1521 April 16 Arrives at Diet of Worms
1521 April 25 Departs Worms
1521 May 4 Kidnapped by Frederick, taken to Wartburg Castle

During Luther's 10 month stay at Wartburg he composed the Wartburg Papers, 13 smaller letters and translated the New Testament into German. During the 16th century people travelled to this location and carved their names into the wood panelling in Luther's Room. The ink stain on the wall (up to 100 years ago) was considered proof of the Luther's fight with the devil. Pieces were removed for souvenirs which in turn caused Luther's desk to be destroyed. The furniture was replaced with pieces from the Luther family. His footstool- a whale vertebra- is from the original inventory!

Luther's Living Room & Study with ceramic stove:

Other areas of the castle:

It's hard to see in this snapshot but notice the beautiful gold cross on top of the main tower, it was placed there as a symbol to mark Wartburg as a religious castle.