Sunday Scripture

 

Yes -- I'm still posting each Sunday about a simple study of Psalms that I worked on last summer.  It was such a good study to be working on amid the uncertainties of 2020 -- and some of it was done sitting at picnic tables as we camped in the midst of God's glorious creation.  There just couldn't have been a better backdrop --so awe-inspiring and so many great reminders of how amazing God is!

This Psalms study is another from Good Morning Girls.  These are simple studies but I really do enjoy them and get a lot from them.  I very much enjoy more in-depth Bible studies as well, but these simpler ones are also a blessing to do.  I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the journal from GMG uses a very similar method.  I find this method so helpful whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer concerning how you'll apply this verse or praise for what it means to you.

Today's study is from Psalm 121, and the verse we were to closely consider is verse 3.   I chose to study both verse 2 and verse 3.

S= "My help cometh from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
  "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; He who keepeth thee will not slumber."  (Psalm 121:2-3)

O=  In the New Scofield Reference Bible, Dr. C.I. Scofield calls this "The traveler's psalm", but it would be comforting and appropriate for anyone.  It seems to have been sung while ascending to Jerusalem -- so at first sight of the hills, travelers would have been reminded that their help comes from God, who made heaven and earth.  His saving, keeping, preserving power is highlighted here, and since He never sleeps, He is always caring for His people.

A=  I have always loved this psalm, because here in New Hampshire we're surrounded by hills and mountains.  Looking up to them never fails to calm my soul as I'm reminded of the steadfast goodness and unlimited power to help, from the One who created them.  This was brought home to me even more vividly in summer 2020 as we visited places like Zion National Park and Grand Canyon.  I'm so thankful for God's magnificent power and His steadfast, continual care of me as His child.

P=  "Lord, I am so thankful that my help comes from You, the Maker of heaven and earth.  How thankful I am that You do not slumber or sleep, but that You continually watch over Your people and protect them.  I'm grateful too for Your goodness in giving us sleep and rest even in difficult times.  I've been able to sleep during some of the most difficult times of my life, and I know that was a gift straight from Your hand.  I thank You in Jesus' name, Amen."

And that's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

An impulsive first-day-of fall Hodgepodge

 

Yes, I yielded to the impulse to answer the Hodgepodge questions this week!  Do I have time to blog?  Almost certainly not.  Do I feel like blogging?  Yes, so here we go:

1. It's fall y'all! Officially that is and in the northern hemisphere only, so if you're visiting from down under happy spring! Does it feel like fall where you live? Does it look like fall aka are the leaves beginning to change? What is your favorite fall color? Scent? Flavor? 

It does feel like fall, especially in the evenings and early mornings.   It does look like fall too, as the leaves are beginning to change.  Favorite fall color: Hmmm.  In general -- as in colors of leaves -- probably orange.  To wear, probably dark green or brown.  Favorite fall scent: maybe just the dying leaves and grasses that have an elusive but lovely scent.  Maybe the aroma from a barn full of apple boxes and baskets.  Favorite fall flavor: It's a toss-up -- apple, pumpkin, pecan, squash, cranberries.  

2. What's something you're not? 

Thin. 

3. Share a favorite quote related to fall and tell us why it's a favorite. 

I know it's been quoted a million times, but I still love Anne of Green Gables' declaration that she is so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers.  And I am, too.  October is my very favorite month and I love so much about it -- the crisp air, the gorgeous leaves, the brilliant blue skies, and especially the couples' retreat my hubby and I attend each year.

4. Besides Thanksgiving, what's your favorite fall meal? 

Sausage-stuffed buttercup squash (the recipe is in this post), baked potatoes, and coleslaw or applesauce.  Apple Crisp Pizza for dessert.

5. Share a favorite photo you took last fall? 

 I couldn't share only one ... The photo with the farm is one that we took last fall while visiting dear friends in Vermont.  It's the view from their backyard!  The one with the red tree and the water was taken Deering, New Hampshire during a hike we took one afternoon of a getaway there.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A few years back, I read some wonderful thoughts from Rachel Wojo called Letting Your Leaves Fall.  I think Dayspring reprints this article every year.  Here's just a little quote to whet your appetite, but I hope you'll go over and read the whole thing.

"What are you holding on to that is preventing a freshness to the season ahead? Could it be that the decayed leaves are piling up and your heart needs to discard them for good? If so, why not reach out to the Lord in prayer? He longs to hear from you. Ask Him to shine light on any thoughts, circumstances, habits or other “decayed leaves” you might be clinging to. As you watch the leaves fall this season, our prayer is that you are reminded to let go of anything that would hinder a fresh relationship with God."

So encouraging, don't you think?  I was blessed and challenged by it. 

And there you have it -- an impulsive, first-day-of-fall Hodgepodge! To join in, head over to From This Side of the Pond.

Sunday Scripture

 

All of my readers realize by now that I'm posting each Sunday about a simple study of Psalms that I worked on last summer.  It was such a good study to be working on amid the uncertainties of 2020 -- and some of it was done sitting at picnic tables as we camped in the midst of God's glorious creation.  There just couldn't have been a better backdrop --so awe-inspiring and so many great reminders of how amazing God is!

This Psalms study is another from Good Morning Girls.  As I've said before, these are simple studies but I really do enjoy them and get a lot from them.  I very much enjoy more in-depth Bible studies as well, but these simpler ones are also a blessing to do.  I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the journal from GMG uses a very similar method.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer concerning how you'll apply this verse or praise for what it means to you.

Today's study is from Psalm 120, and the verse we were to closely consider is verse 1.   

S= "In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and He heard me."  (Psalm 120:1)

O=  In the Scofield Reference Bible, Dr. C.I. Scofield titles this psalm very simply "A cry of distress."  In the seven verses of the psalm, the psalmist notes some of the people that have contributed to his distress: those with "lying lips" and "a deceitful tongue"; those who "hate peace" and "are for war".  In the midst of this distress, the psalmist says that he cried unto the LORD, and God heard his cry.

A=  It is so good to know without a doubt that God hears us when we cry unto Him out of our distress.  I too can relate to the feeling of being surrounded by people with lying lips, people who stir up strife and who "are for war".  It is indeed a distressing place to be.  God doesn't always deliver us completely from a distressing situation, but He gives us grace to remain in it -- and, eventually, a way to escape.

P= "Lord, I thank and praise You so much for the powerful ways you have worked during times of great distress in my life.  I've been deeply affected by "lying lips" from all sides.  I've been surrounded by people who wanted to stir up as much trouble as possible in an already intolerable situation.  When I cried out to You, You heard and answered.  Even though You allowed me to remain in the painful situation for some time, You gave grace -- and eventually answered in a powerful way.  I praise You that You hear us when we cry!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

That's the Scripture Sunday for this week!

Our Labor Day

 

 

 On Monday, September 6, we enjoyed a fun Labor Day with friends and family at our little camp.  I sure wish I had gotten more photos -- but  I actually didn't take any.  My daughter Carrie got a few which I am borrowing.

Our friends S. and C. mostly have only postal holidays off, and live in a neighboring state, so we don't get to see them as often as we would like.  When it does work out, we like to spend an entire day together.

So they came for breakfast on Labor Day, and stayed for a late lunch, not leaving until after 6 pm.

I enjoy the challenge of figuring out meals for an entire day.  For this breakfast, I made homemade breakfast sandwiches.  We split English muffins, buttered the cut sides, and toasted them in the oven.  Meanwhile, I fried eggs and Canadian bacon.   I then layered these with cheese inside the English muffins and wrapped each sandwich in foil.  We did this at home and stacked the foil-wrapped sandwiches inside a slow cooker set on low to take to the camp.  It kept them nice and warm until we were ready to eat.  I also served a Hash Brown Casserole and C. brought a sumptuous fruit salad to serve with a choice of lemon sorbet or maple yogurt.  With plenty of coffee, this made a very satisfying breakfast!

We had such fun visiting around the table and sharing our hearts with one another.

For our late lunch, our daughter Carrie, hubby Jim, and their four kids joined us.  What a delight!  They live next door, so it's easy for them to run through the woods or speed over on their bikes.  (I had told Carrie not to bring any food, since they were leaving for vacation the next day.)

We grilled hot dogs and sausages over a campfire, and also had pasta salad, corn on the cob, and more.  The grandkids, even the littlest one, are pros at husking corn, leaving not a strand of silk behind!

While lunch cooked, the men and grandson Sam enjoyed fellowship by the fire.

C. brought some wonderful toffee shortbread squares for dessert,  and I also made a peanut butter cookie s'mores dessert pizza.  So yummy!  I prefer the mini marshmallows as I think they make the dessert easier to cut.

 

Photo and recipe from Five Heart Home

 

We took our time over lunch, enjoying the fellowship so much.  Later, C. (who has a special bond with 6-year old Arielle) helped Ari plant some wildflowers called Maiden Tears (or bladder campion,  but I much prefer the prettier name).  

 Carrie, Jim, and family left in the late afternoon to go back and finish packing, hooking up the pop-up camper, and more.  S. and C. stayed later and before they left, we all walked next door to look at the work Jim has been doing on their addition.

 

What a wonderful day it had been!  So thankful for family, friends, food, and fellowship!

Sunday scripture

 

All of my readers have surely noticed by now that I'm posting each Sunday about a simple study of Psalms that I worked on last summer.  It was such a good study to be working on amid the uncertainties of 2020 -- and some of it was done sitting at picnic tables as we camped in the midst of God's glorious creation.  There just couldn't have been a better backdrop --so awe-inspiring and so many great reminders of how amazing God is!

This Psalms study is another from Good Morning Girls.  As I've said before, these are simple studies but I really do enjoy them and get a lot from them.  I very much enjoy more in-depth Bible studies as well, but these simpler ones are also a blessing to do.  I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the journal from GMG uses a very similar method.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. 

Today's study is from Psalm 119.  How, you might wonder, could one cover the 176 verses of this lengthy psalm in one quiet time?  The answer, of course, is that you can't.  I did read the entire psalm, and chose to focus in on four verses rather than just the one that was specified.  I think probably verse 105 was chosen because it summarizes so well how God's Word guides us through life -- and also because it's said to be the key verse of the psalm -- but I chose to add in a couple more of the verses that spoke to me.  Here goes:

S=  "Oh, how love I Thy law!  It is my meditation all the day.
"Thou, through Thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies...
"Through Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." 
(Psalm 119:97-98, 104-105)

O=  In my Scofield reference Bible, C.I. Scofield titled this Psalm "In praise of God's Word".  He states that this psalm "extols the beauties and excellencies of the written Word of God in a way found nowhere else in the Bible."  

Verse 105 is said to be the key verse of Psalm 119.  A cross-reference to this verse is Proverbs 6:23 -- "For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life."

A=  I love the thought that the light of God's Word gives comfort, wisdom, and clarity [alluded to in the reflection question].  It is so true!  And I need it so badly!  Every day!  It's also very true, though, that sometimes God gives us light only for the next step.  This can be disconcerting and potentially scary, but that's where trust comes in.

P=  "Lord, I thank and praise You so much for the light of Your Word!  So many times it has brought me comfort in the darkness.  It has shed the light of Your wisdom and brought clarity in handling confusing situations.  I am so very thankful, and I pray that You will help me continue to rely on Your Word every day of my life.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

For this study I also answered the reflection question:

Every day, we turn on lights in our house.  In the same way, every day we need to turn to the light of God's Word to give us wisdom and clarity for life.  But God doesn't promise to light our entire path, sometimes He only gives us enough light for the next step.  How has God's Word been a light in the darkness in your life?  And how does God's Word guide your steps?

I wrote: I remember being in a very dark situation for a number of months.  The light of God"s Word, especially the book of Psalms, was truly comforting to me.  It was a blessing, too, to remember the promises of God's Word and all that we know of God's character.  All of this truly helped in dealing with serious difficulty.

On an everyday basis, the principles of God's Word give us clear guidance as to how we are to live our lives in a way that pleases and glorifies Him.  His promises encourage us daily.

There's the study for this week.  I hope it was a blessing to someone today.

Friday five

 

Graphic from Baptist Bible Hour

 So I've really fallen down on blogging lately.  It's not that I don't want to blog, and certainly not that there's nothing to write about; it's just that life is so, so busy.  Here are just a few of the many blessings I want to share with you all today.

1.  Continued progress on our little camp.  The photo of the stove below is from April, and it hasn't really changed since then, but I have recently become more comfortable with using it, cooking a kettle full of corn on the cob on the stove top and a hash brown casserole in the oven.  It works remarkably well considering its advanced age!

Below you see a tiny portion of the work my hubby has been doing.  He added wiring, insulation, pine paneling, and a window to the loft.  He has done lots more of late, but I am unable to find the pictures and have no time to search further.  Still, the work in the loft is impressive, don't you agree?

2.  Answers to prayer on behalf of the sick.  We've been praying for several folks in the hospital and God is answering prayer.  In several cases, His answer was to take these friends to be with Him.  They are more well now than they have ever been!  

Our friend Terry is being released from the hospital today, although she may need to return next week for surgery.  We continue to pray fervently for our friend D. that God will bring healing to him.  

Graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

3.  Ladies' Bible study starting back up tomorrow!   So looking forward to this study led by my friend Amanda Reed.  This is the book we will be working through:

4.  A wonderful Labor Day spent with family and friends.  Our friends the V's came over to our camp for the day.  We enjoyed breakfast together (homemade breakfast sandwiches, hash brown casserole and a fruit salad brought by C).  Later, our daughter and family came over and we all enjoyed a hot dog roast with all the trimmings for a late lunch.  I hope to write a separate post about this time soon, but we will see.  It was fun showing our friends all of the changes to the camp.

5.  A little touch of fall in the air.  It's so nice to feel a little coolness and smell the crisp scent of fall approaching.  I recently found this leaf in our driveway and love the combination of colors.

So thankful to the Lord for all of the many blessings He showers upon us!

Sunday Scripture

 

I mentioned this awhile ago -- but for any who may have missed it, I'm posting each Sunday about a simple study of Psalms that I worked on last summer.  It was such a good one to be working on in 2020 -- and some of it was while I sat at picnic tables as we camped at places like Grand Canyon and Coral Pink Sand Dunes.  There just couldn't have been a better backdrop --so awe-inspiring and so many great reminders of how amazing God is!

This Psalms study is another from Good Morning Girls.  These are simple studies but I really do enjoy them and get a lot from them.  I very much enjoy more in-depth Bible studies as well, but these simpler ones are also a blessing to do.  I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the journal from GMG uses a very similar method.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. 

Today's study is from Psalm 118.  Verse 8 was the one we were to zero in on, but I also chose to study verses 5-6, and also verse 29.

S=  "I called upon the LORD in distress, and the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.  

"The LORD is on my side:  I will not fear.  What can man do unto me?

"... It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.  

"Oh, give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever."  (Psalm 118:5-6, 8, 29)

O= Verses 1 through 4 and 29 all speak of God's enduring mercy.  In verse 5 the psalmist testifies of having called upon God in distress and how God answered him.  With God on his side, what could man do to him?  He declares that he will not fear, and goes on to state that it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.  My reference Bible tells me that the word "trust" occurs 152 times in the Old Testament and that it is "the rendering of Hebrew words signifying to take refuge; to lean on; to roll on; to wait for."   The psalmist thanks God for His goodness and His enduring mercy.

A=  I have called upon the Lord in distress and have seen Him answer me and "set me in a large place".  It has been truly glorious to observe how He has answered and has seen me through incredibly distressing times.  It is indeed far, far better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in in even the best or most godly man.  People will let us down every time.  God is a safe and trusted refuge!

P=  "Lord, I cannot even begin to thank You for Your magnificent working in my life.  Through truly distressing times, You have been there and have seen me through difficulty, every step of the way.  Sometimes it has felt like groping my way along in the dark, but as I have sought to keep my eyes on You, You have brought me through.  I do feel as if you have set me in a large place, such a place of blessing!  I praise You for being my safe and trustworthy refuge, in Jesus' name, Amen."

And there is this week's study.  I hope it was a blessing to someone today.

Some goals for September

 

So I completely forgot about setting goals for August!  Not sure how that happened, but maybe we were so focused on getting to our friend Charlotte's early in the month that I forgot all about a number of other things.  

So, here are some goals for September:

* Memorize at least 4 Bible verses and review some older ones
* Read and study the September chapters in the Daily Walk Bible
* Continue our Daniel Bible study with younger believers
* Help our widowed friend Terry with the challenges of life in general
* Continue study for Sunday School -- A Woman After God's Own Heart
* Get to bed by 9 pm each night  
* Limit sugar
* Drink enough water each day
* Walk and/or exercise each day
* Keep up with Flylady's homemaking zones of the week (with some help from Clean Mama)
* Do something creative each day
* Post in this blog as often as possible
* Post in my Christmas blog whenever I can
* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones
* Spend a little time on some UFO craft projects
* Continue stocking my Etsy shop and continue selling vintage items
* Keep up with Etsy and trust bookkeeping
* Write at least 4 encouraging notes to friends and family
* Help and encourage my local daughter as I'm able
* Plan meals with a greater emphasis on healthy eating
*  Possibly attend a ladies' retreat
* Help out at a church work day to spruce up the building a bit
*  Attend the first women's Bible study of the fall
* Help and encourage my husband as he leads our church through whatever the future holds
* Spend a few days up north on beautiful Back Lake
*  Get some good work accomplished on renovating our camp
*  Celebrate Labor Day at the camp with good friends
*  Volunteer our time to help with maintenance at a Christian camp as needed
* Plan a special time with our oldest granddaughter
 

HEALTHY HABITS FOR SEPTEMBER:  Drink more water/get more sleep/get more exercise/limit sugar
WORD FOR 2021: Steadfast

Making space

 

 Time for another post as to what all is leaving or has left here recently.  Here goes:

August 17-31
Some from the linen closet, some from the craft closet, some from my dresser and elsewhere

To the trash —
 Some old makeup — lipstick, pressed powder, etc.
A bunch of partially used travel size toiletries — probably 2 dozen or more items
A strawberry bath pouf  — as noted before, this is the sort of thing that  happens when you have, or when people think you have, a strawberry collection
Remnants from some type of craft foam kit
A pair of comfy cotton pajama pants that have completely lost their elastic

To the thrift store —
2 bars of unused soap
2 small empty glass apothecary jars
An Oriental Trading kit to make 6 fall decorated votive holders
A bargain pair of green capris that I’ll never wear
4 vintage restaurant creamers with some cracks, etc.  Hopefully they are a fun find for someone!
A set of red nesting heart-shaped tiny tins
A set of Christmas pillowcases bought on clearance and used once — they don’t fit our pillows
A bright pink hand towel with a strawberry design (see bath pouf above)
A glass floral bowl and 3 rose-shaped floating candles (gift set I didn’t even know I had)!

To my young granddaughter —
Some chunky foam stamps in fun designs like shells, butterflies, western gear, frogs, and more

To our little camp —
2 dish towels
A wonderful Coleman rack for cooking over a campfire
A ceramic penguin lamp from my childhood — need to buy a shade, but this will work in the grandkids’ sleeping and play loft
A pretty decorative fall plate that will be nice for fall decor here

And that's it for now!