December 4

Probably the most Christmasy thing I did today was to put out some Christmas decorations at our little cottage.  The sign above, for one.  I got out other signs and ornaments and put them here and there, even adding a vintage dish Christmas dish towel in the kitchen!

Meanwhile, Mr. T got the Christmas tree out of storage and put it in the loft window.  With the help of grandson Sam, he strung outdoor lights on the gable end -- colored icicle lights!

He has also baked two batches of cookies today and made a batch of fudge!

December 3

 

Today hasn't been terribly Christmasy unless one counts browsing the Christmas aisles at Hobby Lobby and TJ Maxx.  But the 5 inches or so of new snow from yesterday are giving everything a "White Christmas" look.  Very cold weather is on the way, so this snow is likely to stick.

I have worked today at composing some Christmas emails to missionaries our church supports.  Our missions team has been racking our brains to try and think of good ways to encourage our missionaries and so for December we are trying to fill their email inboxes with personal messages.  I designed a graphic to use for the two emails my hubby and I are sending this week, as we are trying to tie each week's emails to the various themes of Advent.  

I did enjoy my browse through the Christmas aisles and ended up finding a few gifts.  I also picked up some Christmas-themed parchment paper which will be lovely to use in wrapping kitchen gifts.

At BJ's, my hubby got a gigantic bag of chocolate chips to use in making cookies and fudge.  At Ocean State Job Lot, he found raspberry and apricot preserves and lemon curd to use in his cookie baking.

I also got out my list of holiday ingredients that we refer to every year, to see what we still need to  buy for our Christmas cooking and baking.  There are a few things, so those will go on the grocery list.

And ... we received our first Christmas cards in the mail today!

December 2

No idea, really, if I will make it here each day.  I am posting daily at my Christmas blog, so hop on over there if I happen not to be here.

It's a snow day here; has been snowing steadily all day long!  The forecast has been downsized from what was originally predicted, but it is still snowing.  

Mr. T made a foray over to our cottage this morning and dropped off an extension ladder so he can string outdoor lights there tomorrow.  We also plan to get our indoor lights there (electric candles, and a Christmas tree in the upstairs window) set up and placed on timers.

Other than that, he has been baking cookies all day long: Blond Brownies; Cookie Dough Brownies; Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprints ... and I think maybe two batches of Heavenly Delight fudge.  He stopped for a few ingredients on the way home from the cottage.

Meanwhile, I packaged an Etsy order, prepared some more Etsy listings, did some decorating, sorted out a large recipe binder which had popped open when Mr. T dropped it.  And did several loads of laundry.  

And that is our Christmasy report for Tuesday, December 2!

Some goals for December

 A new month means new goals (and with me, always some ongoing ones as well).  The December calendar page is already beginning to fill up!  Here goes:

* Keep up with Flylady's homemaking zones of the week
* Spend time with our friends who are younger believers
* Enjoy our church ladies' gathering and gift exchange
* Post in this blog as often as possible 
* Post in my Christmas blog every day if possible
* Continue planning and making Christmas gifts and decor
* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones
* Continue studying and preparing for my Sunday Scripture blog posts
* Do an Advent devotional study
* Finish Even If, a study of Habakkuk from the Daily Grace Co.
* Continue stocking my Etsy shop and continue selling vintage items
* 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
* Get early light each morning
* Get to bed by 8:30 each night we are at home
* Drink enough water each day
* Walk and/or exercise at least 4 times each week
* Possibly plan a few get-togethers with friends 
* Brainstorm about Christmas with my daughter
* Plan and prepare food for Christmas
* Bake dozens of Christmas cookies (my hubby will do most of this)
* Work at our volunteer jobs as needed
* Prepare kitchen gifts (cookies, fudge, snack items and more)
* Write and send out Christmas cards
* Attend and participate in Christmas events at church
* Enjoy our traditional Christmas activity with four of the local grands
* Write and schedule December posts for both blogs
* Prepare and send at least one gift box to Nevada
* Decorate our home for Christmas

HEALTHY HABITS FOR DECEMBER:  Drink more water/get more sleep/exercise daily/intermittent fasting/limit carbs/get morning light

WORD FOR 2025: Trust 

And there you have it -- a few goals for December 2025!

Sunday Scripture

 

For the month of November, I've decided to take a break from Fix Your Focus to set our minds on Thanksgiving.  Again today, I'm sharing some insights from a Thanksgiving/fall study with Good Morning Girls that I did back in fall of 2013.  Sadly, it seems that this little but oh-so-meaningful 2-week study -- Focusing our Hearts on Gratitude -- is no longer available.  If anyone is interested in the Scripture verses to do your own little study, just let me know and I can send you the references or even the pdf of the study.  

The verses I chose for today are from Day 9 of the study.  We were to read Psalm 95, and the verses to SOAP were Psalm 95:1-2.  ( 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.  And if you've never tried this simple method, I hope that you will give it a try and see if you find it as helpful as I do.)

S= "O come, let us sing unto the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms."  (Psalm 95:1-2)

O= This is an exhortation to worship.  Its intended audience is obviously God's people.

There are a number of repeated words and phrases in these two verses."O come" (v.1); "let us come" (v.2); "let us sing" (v.1); "let us make a joyful noise" (v.1); "let us come" (v.2).  Both verses contain the phrase "make a joyful noise."

Basically there are four exhortations:

1) Let us sing unto the LORD.

2) Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

3) Let us come before God's presence with thanksgiving.

4) Let us make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.

A= I am to be singing to the Lord and making a joyful noise unto Him.  He is the Rock of my salvation -- what a most meaningful name that is! -- and worthy of my highest praise.  My joy at being His redeemed child ought to result in exultant praise to Him for all that He has done.  He is always present with me -- and thus, I ought to be continually thankful.  I don't have to physically go anywhere to come before His presence, for He is always with me.

When I come to Him in prayer, thanksgiving must be a key component along with praise.

To me, the phrase "make a joyful noise" implies that my praise and thanksgiving may well be overheard by others and may be a testimony to them of the greatness of God.

P= "Lord, I do joyfully praise You for all that You are -- the Rock of my salvation and so much more!  I praise You for all that you have done for me in providing the means of salvation and giving me a new life as Your redeemed child.  

"May I live a life that brings honor and glory to You so that "many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD" (Psalm 40:3).

"With a thankful, joyful heart, I praise You, in Jesus' name, Amen."

And that concludes our little Thanksgiving Sunday Scripture series.  I hope it was a blessing!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Just a quick Thanksgiving post (probably a near repeat of past Thanksgiving posts, but the thoughts are as sincere as ever!) in the midst of preparations for our dinner with friends and family!  We will be a group of about eleven, gathering at our daughter's home in the next town.

I pray that each and every one of my readers will have a truly blessed Thanksgiving.  I know that some are grieving today.  For some it is the first Thanksgiving without a loved one.  Some are going through  very, very difficult health struggles and family concerns.  There are personal friends of mine in all of these situations today.  And yet, as believers, we still have so very much to thank God for.

Think of it!  We have a personal relationship with the God of the universe!

  One thing I have come to realize is that even in the hardest things of life, I can be thankful that God is with me.  There are many other things to be thankful for as well: He loves me; He wants the best for me; He is good; He has a good purpose for all that He allows; He knows all about every situation; He is in control and sovereign over all things; He is all-powerful and able to change any situation.

And so today, Mr. T and I pray that each of you will spend some time counting the blessings God has given you.  There are so many, starting with salvation.

The hymn "Thanks to God" is one of my very favorites at Thanksgiving time and always.  Here are the words:

 Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a mem’ry,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

 Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

 Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." 

(Psalm 100:4)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday Scripture

 

For the month of November, I've decided to take a break from Fix Your Focus to set our minds on Thanksgiving.  Again today, I'm sharing some insights from a Thanksgiving/fall study with Good Morning Girls that I did back in fall of 2013.  Sadly, it seems that this little but oh-so-meaningful 2-week study -- Focusing our Hearts on Gratitude -- is no longer available.  If anyone is interested in the Scripture verses to do your own little study, just let me know and I can send you the references or even the pdf of the study.  

The verses I chose for today are from Day 8 of the study.  We were to read Philippians 4:4-9, and the verses to SOAP were Philippians 4:6-7.  ( 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.  And if you've never tried this simple method, I hope that you will give it a try and see if you find it as helpful as I do.)

S=  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. 
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:6-7)

O= Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi while he was in prison in Rome.   
 

C.I.Scofield says, "This is a tender letter to a group of Christians who were especially close to the heart of Paul."

Scofield titles the section containing these verses "The secret of the peace of God."  Paul, in prison at Rome, obviously had that peace.  

He counseled the Philippians to

* Be anxious for nothing
* Instead, in everything
* By prayer and supplication
* With thanksgiving
* Make their requests known to God.

The result would be that God's peace -- the peace which surpasses all human understanding -- would garrison their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Amplified Bible gives a beautiful translation of verse 7: "And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

A= I am not to worry about even one thing.  Of course there are, and will always be, things that concern me.  But I am not to worry about them.  Instead, I'm to bring every concern to God.  

 "Do you ever find yourself worrying? Do you know that Scripture calls worry a sin? When you realized that you were worrying, did you go to God and confess it as a sin? Worry is just as much a sin as adultery, or murder, or theft. Yet how often we as believers treat it lightly when we find our stomachs tied in knots because we have worried ourselves into a nervous frenzy. We don’t realize that we have fallen into sin." -- Dwight Pentecost

 Now that is a challenge!

I'm to pray over every concern that I have, being careful to include the element of thanksgiving for what God has already done and is doing.

I might tend to think that some of my concerns are too small to bring to God.  But Barclay writes: "It has been beautifully put: 'There is nothing too great for God’s power; and nothing too small for his fatherly care.' A child may take anything, great or small, to a parent, sure that whatever happens to him is of interest there, his little triumphs and disappointments, his passing cuts and bruises; we may in exactly the same way take anything to God, sure of his interest and concern."

Concerning the element of thanksgiving, Pentecost helps our understanding with these thoughts: "Thanksgiving looks back to previous answers to prayer and gives thanks because God has worked in similar situations before. If there is something that is a burden to me today, I can go to God and remind Him that yesterday or last week or last month I was in the same situation, with the same gnawing anxiety, and I asked Him to do something, and He did it; so I thank Him for what He has done. Confidence for the future is based on what God has done in the past."

As I make my requests known to God in this manner, His unfathomable peace will guard not only my heart, but my mind through Christ Jesus.

P= "Lord, I praise You for the clear teaching in Your Word.  I thank You that not only did Paul teach this, but he lived it out and practiced it, providing a wonderful example for the Philippians and for all believers down through the ages.

"Help me, Lord, as I seek to obey Your Word in this area of life.  Help me to bring all of my concerns, large and small, to You in prayer, thanking You for all that You have done in the past, as well as for all that You will do.

"I am so thankful for Your promise that as I do this, Your unfathomable peace will guard my heart and my mind through Christ Jesus.

"I praise You in Jesus' name, Amen."

There is the simple Sunday Scripture for this week!  I hope it was a blessing.

Sunday Scripture

I mentioned last week that for the month of November, I've decided to take a break from Fix Your Focus to set our minds on Thanksgiving.  Again today, I'm sharing some simple insights from a Thanksgiving/fall study with Good Morning Girls that I did back in fall of 2013.  Sadly, it seems that this little but oh-so-meaningful 2-week study -- Focusing our Hearts on Gratitude -- is no longer available.  If anyone is interested in the Scripture verses to do your own little study, just let me know and I can send you the references or even the pdf of the study.  

The verses I chose for today are from Day 7 of the study.  We were to read 2 Corinthians 4:13-18, and the verse to SOAP was 2 Corinthians 4:15.  ( 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.  And if you've never tried this simple method, I hope that you will give it a try and see if you find it as helpful as I do.)

So without further ado, here is my very simple study of 2 Corinthians 4:15:

S=  "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."  (2 Corinthians 4:15)

O= Paul wrote this second letter to the believers at Corinth to address some questions about his sincerity and authority.  In this letter he is placing before the church the overwhelming evidence of his sincerity in serving the Lord.

Here in chapter 4, verse 15 Paul seems to be saying that the suffering he has endured is for the sake of the Cornithians, so that they could see God giving abundant grace in difficulty.  Their thanksgiving for this would redound to the glory of God.  

MacDonald says, "With the certain and sure hope of resurrection before him, the apostle was willing to undergo terrible hardships. He knew that all such sufferings had a twofold result. They abounded in blessing for the Corinthians, and thus caused thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. These two motives actuated Paul in all he said and did. He was concerned with the glory of God and the blessing of his fellow men."

Warren Wiersbe explains that the phrase all things are for your sakes…"gives us the assurance that our sufferings are not wasted: God uses them to minister to others and also to bring glory to His name. How is God glorified in our trials? By giving us the 'abundant grace' we need to maintain joy and strength when the going gets difficult. Whatever begins with grace, leads to glory."  

The Phillips translation reads: 

"The more grace God gives,
The more thanksgiving will redound to His glory.
This is the reason why we never collapse."

The ESV reads, "For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."

A= Trials that come into our lives are allowed by God for a good purpose.  He gives us the grace that we need to deal with the trials and get through them.  As others see and observe this, they -- and we -- offer thanks and praise to God and this redounds to His glory.  

Paul had faith that God would be glorified in all that was taking place, and I can have that same faith. Our sufferings are never wasted in God's economy.  And what an encouraging thought that is!

John MacArthur wrote, "God’s astounding plan is to use common clay pots (verse 7) to carry the priceless treasure of the glorious gospel to needy sinners. As they humbly, faithfully serve Him, His power flows through them to others. The final result is that more and more people will worship and glorify God."

I need to be more thankful for the grace and strength God gives in trials and for the opportunity He provides through them for Christ's name to be lifted up and glorified.

There were some "Digging Deeper" questions for this verse:

Looking at 2 Corinthians 4:15,  what is the connection between grace and thanksgiving?  How do grace and thanksgiving result in giving glory to God?

My answers:

This particular section of 2 Corinthians is dealing with trials and suffering.  We know that God gives us grace to deal with and endure adversity -- His grace is sufficient for us!  To me, the connection looks like this: I have difficulties, God gives me grace to endure them, and I give thanks to Him.  Not only that, but others see the grace that God is giving and they also give thanks to Him.  This brings the opportunity for God's name to be lifted up and glorified.  Psalm 50:23 comes to mind: "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me."

P= "Lord, I am so thankful that You have a good purpose in our trials.  Sometimes I just feel stuck, as if my trials are never going to end, but I must never forget that You are in them with me and that the trials will not last a moment longer than necessary.

I am so prone to forgetting that Your strength is made perfect in my weakness.  I pray that You will bring this back to my mind when I am weary.  

I praise You that Your grace is sufficient for me in every difficulty I face!  I pray that You will help me to consistently praise You in all circumstances and to bring glory to You as others observe Your working in my life through trials.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

And that's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

Peanut butter and hodgepodge

 

It's Wednesday again, and time for the weekly Hodgepodge with Joyce and the gang at From This Side of the Pond.  Joyce asks the questions, bloggers supply the answers.  I don't really have time to write a post, but the questions aren't too hard this week so I'm giving it a go.

 1. What does patriotism mean to you? 

Well, I thought this would be easy but it really isn't as simple as I thought. I thought maybe a simple dictionary definition would jump-start my thinking but this is it:

To me, that just isn't good enough.  My assumption with this definition is they're trying to make patriotism sound a bit fanatical, and make ter**rism sound a bit like patriotism.  

I think love of country needs to figure into patriotism, and that's not mentioned.

So I looked it up in our old standby (great dictionary for checking Scrabble words or playing The Dictionary Game) 1949 Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary and found this, which is much more to my liking:

PATRIOTISM: Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's country.

2. September-October-November...your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall. 

Oh, this is a nearly impossible choice.   I am going to say October.  September might still have some very hot and humid days, but that's not usual in October.  The fall foliage colors hit their peak in October, the skies are the most gorgeous bright blue, and the air is crisp.  I do love September and I also love November (especially for Thanksgiving, but other reasons as well) but if I must pick a favorite, then October it will be.

3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word)  in the title or lyrics?

Thanks to God for My Redeemer, an older hymn written by Swedish poet August Ludvig Storm in .  The tune was written by J.A. Hultman, a Swedish evangelist, singer, musician, composer and publisher.

1. Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a mem’ry,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

2. Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

3. Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!

 

4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What's the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ . 

Oh, and you can't say jelly. 

Yes, definitely a fan, especially of natural peanut butter with no sugar.   Last peanut butter bite I had would have been a peanut butter cookie with chocolate mini chips in it.

5. This week's gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for? 

That is a tough one.  Again, I thought it would be easy.   I'm going to say the recent decision of a friend to trust Christ as Savior.  That's of eternal significance, and almost no other events are.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We've had our first snow here although I wouldn't really call it measurable.  It did cover the ground.  I'm hoping to post later this week about an old formula (which I only recently read about) for predicting the number of winter snowstorms.  I think it might be fun to try and see if it's anything close to accurate!

 
And there's the Hodgepodge for this week ... just a little late!

Sunday Scripture

 

I mentioned last week that for the month of November, I've decided to take a break from Fix Your Focus to set our minds on Thanksgiving.  Again today, I'm sharing some insights from a Thanksgiving/fall study with Good Morning Girls that I did back in fall of 2013.  Sadly, it seems that this little but oh-so-meaningful 2-week study -- Focusing our Hearts on Gratitude -- is no longer available.  If anyone is interested in the Scripture verses to do your own little study, just let me know and I can send you the references or even the pdf of the study.  

The verses I chose for today are from Day 5 of the study.  We were to read Hebrews 12:22-29, and the verse to SOAP was Hebrews 12:28.  ( 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.  And if you've never tried this simple method, I hope that you will give it a try and see if you find it as helpful as I do.)

So without further ado, here is my very simple study of Hebrews 12:28:

S= "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."  (Hebrews 12:28)

O= Although no one knows for sure who wrote the book of Hebrews (my personal guess is Paul), its intended purpose is to encourage Jewish Christians "who had professed faith in Jesus as the Messiah, some of whom were wavering in their attitude. Hence, the exhortation to 'hold fast' (Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 4:14, among others) and 'go on to maturity' (Hebrews 6:1)."

"Hebrews contains a series of contrasts, between the good things of Judaism and the better things of Christ." -- C.I. Scofield

"Those who were occupied with the tangible, visible ritualism of Judaism were clinging to things that could be shaken.  True believers have a kingdom which cannot be shaken."  -- Believer's Bible Commentary

So, as believers who have received this kingdom which cannot be shaken, we have grace.  

By means of this grace, we may serve God acceptably 

* with reverence
* with godly fear.

A= I can be so thankful that I'm a recipient of a kingdom which cannot be moved or shaken.  There is no uncertainty at all about the reality of my God and my faith in Him.  I need not wonder about the validity of His promises for He will never change.  I can rest in Him even "though the earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalm 46:2).

Because of this, God also gives grace by which I may serve Him acceptably with reverence and godly fear.  Being part of His kingdom should inspire us to fervently praise and adore Him unceasingly.

P= Lord, I am so thankful for all that You are and all that You have done.  I thank and praise You that by Your grace I'm an inhabitant of a kingdom which is certain and can never be moved or shaken.  I never have to be uncertain about my standing with You, because it is not based on my goodness or rule-keeping but on Your grace and Christ's righteousness imputed to me.

I praise You for the opportunity to serve You.  Although I realize I can never repay You for all You've done for me, and although I recognize that my service is flawed and imperfect, still I desire to serve You as a thank-offering for what You've done.  I praise You that by means of Your grace, it's possible for me to serve You acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.

Please forgive me for the times when I mess up, and say or do things that don't reflect the reverence or fear of You that I need to have.  Help me to walk as You'd have me to, every day!  Help me to serve You consistently and with appropriate reverence.  Help me to "give You my best and live for You completely, after all You've done for me!" as the old Sunday School chorus says.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

That's the Scripture study for this November Sunday!  I hope it was a blessing to someone.

Sunday Scripture

 

 For the month of November, I've decided to take a break from Fix Your Focus to set our minds on Thanksgiving.  Again today, I'm sharing some insights from a Thanksgiving/fall study with Good Morning Girls that I did back in fall of 2013.  Sadly, it seems that this little but oh-so-meaningful 2-week study -- Focusing our Hearts on Gratitude -- is no longer available.  If anyone is interested in the Scripture verses to do your own little study, just let me know and I can send you the references or even the pdf of the study.  

The verses I chose for today are from Day 1 of the study.  We were to read 1 Chronicles 16:7-36, and the verses to SOAP were 8-11.  ( 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.  And if you've never tried this simple method, I hope that you will give it a try and see if you find it as helpful as I do.)

So without further ado, here is my very simple study of 1 Chronicles 16:8-11:

S= "Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people.

"Sing unto Him, sing psalms uno Him, talk ye of all His wondrous works.  

"Glory ye in His holy name; let the heart of them rejoice who seek the LORD.

"Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually."  (1 Chronicles 16:8-11)

O=  This is a psalm of thanksgiving.  David delivered it into the hand of Asaph and his brethren "to thank, and praise the LORD God of Israel." (verse 7)  The occasion was the placing of the ark of the covenant in the tent David had pitched for it at Jerusalem.  Musicians praised God with the psalteries, harps, cymbals, and trumpets.  The audience would have been "all Israel".

If we were to look at Psalm 105 (and you may want to do just that), we would see that verses 1-15 are almost word for word the same as I Chronicles 16:8-22.

Warren Wiersbe notes in With the Word that "the main thing [in worship] is to focus on the Lord, and David did just that in the special psalm he wrote.  'The LORD' is mentioned fourteen times as David reminds the people of God's works (v. 8-13), God's words (v. 14-22), and God's wonder (v. 23-36) -- His glory, greatness and goodness.  The excitement of the day would disappear, but the inspired song of praise would remain for all generations to use in worshiping God."

Repetitive phrases : "Sing unto Him
                             "Sing psalms unto Him"

"Seek the LORD"
"Seek His strength"
"Seek His face continually"
"Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD"

"Make known His deeds among the people"
"Talk ye of all His wondrous works."

Such clear and simple directions!

Phrases that stood out to me:

"Seek ye the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually".
"Talk ye of all His wondrous works."

A= There is a lot here that I need to apply. 

"Give thanks unto the LORD".  

I do this already, but I need to learn thankfulness in every situation.  It's hard sometimes -- maybe not so much in my own life, but in the lives of others -- to see things to be thankful for.  But there is in fact always something to thank Him for -- our salvation, His presence with us, His sovereignty, just for starters.

I do call upon His name regularly -- not just in time of need, but daily.

I need to be talking of all His wondrous works, especially to those who don't know Him, but also to other believers.  I need to share His wondrous working in my life.

I need to glory in His holy name and to seek to bring Him glory with my own life.  I need to seek Him with a heart of rejoicing.

I do seek the Lord and His strength, and often I need to seek it continually.  There are those times, however, when I don't take time to seek His strength and just give in to the flesh without even seeking His help.  Obviously, that needs to change.

P =   "Lord, I thank You for this study.  After just one day, I can see that it has the potential to be life-changing. 
"I thank You, too, for the reminder that even in the darkest of situations there are numerous things to thank You for. 
"I thank You for the privilege -- yes, even the responsibility -- of calling upon Your name.  Help me to continually remain in the attitude of prayer throughout each day.
"Help me also, Lord, to be talking of all Your wondrous works.  Thank You for the opportunities you've given me this week to encourage others in You and for the ways in which I've been able to speak of Your greatness and goodness -- to talk of all Your wondrous works!  I do indeed glory in Your name, and I desire to glorify You!
"Lord, I pray that You will continue to help me to seek Your face, and to seek Your strength throughout each and every day.  I praise You for how You hear and answer, and the empowering strength that You give. 
"Truly, my heart rejoices in all that You are, in Jesus' name, Amen."

There is our simple Sunday Scripture for this second day in November.  I pray that it will set your hearts toward gratitude as it has mine. 

 

Some goals for November

 

How is it November already?  It occurred to me last night that I need to be setting a few goals for this month, so here we go!

* Post in this blog as often as possible
* Post in my Christmas blog as often as possible, writing and scheduling ahead for December too
* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones
* Continue reading through the One-Year Chronological Bible
*  Continue with the book Fix Your Focus for my Sunday Scripture series
* Continue studying and preparing for my ladies' Sunday School class 
* Finish up the wonderful Daily Grace Co. study of Habakkuk, Even If (this is intended to be a 3-week study; it has taken me months since I only work on it on Saturdays -- and not every Saturday at that)
* Continue stocking my Etsy shop and continue selling vintage items
* Write at least 4 encouraging notes to friends and family
* Keep up with Flylady's zones of the week
* Help and encourage my local daughter as I'm able
* Plan meals with a greater emphasis on healthy eating
* Attend our church's revival services 
* Spend quality time at our little camp; plan some staycation time
* Get to bed by 8:30 each night we are at home
* Drink enough water each day
* Resume the habit of getting outdoors for the morning light
* Walk and/or exercise at least 4 times each week
* Help with our church's outreach at the local Christmas event in late November
* Hopefully get together with friends on Veterans Day
* Spend a week at my volunteer job
* Plan menus and prep lots of food ahead for that week when I'll be feeding a work team
* Find time for a 7-day home reset
* Host friends for tea and discipleship every Wednesday
* Host out of state friends for a meal at our cottage
* Plan and prepare for Thanksgiving

HEALTHY HABITS FOR NOVEMBER:  Drink more water/get more sleep/exercise daily/intermittent fasting/limit carbs/get morning light

As usual, all of this should be more than enough to keep me out of trouble this month

Sunday Scripture

 Time for another Sunday Scripture!  As previously mentioned, I'm using the Daily Grace Co. book Fix Your Focus, which is really not a Bible study as such, but more of a guide to help you fix your focus on God, His Word, prayer, gratitude, and spiritual growth, every week for 52 weeks.  I encourage you to follow along with us as we journal, look at Scripture, pray, and face the challenges of our weeks with our focus on Him.  I truly hope that others are finding this as helpful as I am.

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of October 13,  but I am working ahead of you readers.  So here goes!

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this checklist first. This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Friendship and fellowship -- friends at camp for lunch on Tuesday;  tea with friends on Wednesday; dinner cruise with friends on Saturday.

2) Homemaking and Etsy -- try a 7-day home reset (yes, that goal is still following me around; work on Etsy orders and listings; make tallow balm, order replacement clock works/casserole carrier; do some fall decorating.

3) Ministry --  SS lesson prep and teaching; finish Scripture post; tea and discipleship on Wednesday; plan meals for TWNE volunteer work crew.

[If you are following along with our study, this is the place to make a Week-at-a-Glance checklist and/or priority list for yourself!]

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week, though there is a situation of concern on Tuesday night and another on Thursday.   

Joys: Hosting friends at our camp is always a joy, especially missionary friends we seldom see.  Our little weekly tea party with friends is always a joy.  A dinner cruise with friends will be a joy,  Taking a young granddaughter apple picking will also be a joy.

Worries: No real worries going into this week.  A few concerns.

Desires: That God will be glorified in the events of this week.  That I can be a blessing to my teatime friends.  That our missionary friends will be encouraged and that our granddaughter will have a really special day with us.  

Stressors: Time and energy limitations, and housework that won't stay done.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ... in full control of every aspect of this week, even the most concerning situations. You are so good to give us times of Christian fellowship and family fun.  You are fully aware of time constraints and the limitations of aging, and You are able to help me use my time and energy wisely.

* Lord, I feel ... a little bit overwhelmed by the sheer busyness of life in this season.  I feel privileged to extend hospitality to other believers and incredibly blessed to be able to be used by You in the lives of others.  I feel thankful to be involved in the lives of grandchildren.  I feel a bit discouraged to have fallen so far behind with my exercise program.

* Lord, help me with ... all of the events of this week.  Help me to balance all of the activities and to use my time and energy wisely.  Help me to encourage others in their Christian walk and with the challenges of their everyday lives.  

* Lord, forgive me for ... any time when I try to act in my own strength or wisdom.  Any time that I act or react in ways that do not please You.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed a friend dealing with severe pain; a young mom and her children in a very difficult situation; two women with a lot of responsibilities in our church family.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Proverbs 4:23, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."  (Proverbs 4:23)

O=   The ESV reads: "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

The word used for "keep" here is the Hebrew natsar meaning to guard, keep, observe, hide, preserve, hide.  Baker's Complete Word Study Dictionary says, "The word (natsar) refers to people’s maintaining things entrusted to them, especially to keeping the truths of God in both actions and mind (Ps. 119:100, 115). God’s Word is to be kept with our whole hearts (Ps. 119:69); our hearts, in turn, ought to be maintained in a right state."

Another scholar noted that "In short, the Hebrew word natsar is a command calling for continual watching and can even refer to a watchman on security duty. Note also that watching includes two things, one, that you keep noxious pollutants from coming in, and secondly, that you keep anything good from being stolen. Both are relevant when it comes to guarding one's heart."

Cross-reference for "from it" or "out of it" -- "A good man out of the good treasure of .his heart  bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."  (Matthew 12:35)

Cross-references for "the springs" or "issues" of life" -- "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies."  (Matthew 15:18-19))

"Thou wilt show me the path of life.  In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."  (Psalm 16:11) 

A= To help with my application of this verse, I answered the three questions from Fix your Focus:

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

He is a God -- and my Heavenly Father -- who gives me clear and practical instruction as to the best way to live my life.  He desires for me to be diligent.  The issues of life proceed from my heart, so He instructs me to keep, or guard, my heart.

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I'm a person who needs to learn how God wants me to live life.  I'm someone who needs to guard my heart with all diligence and I need to understand that the issues of life proceed from my heart.

* Throughout the week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.

 I would say that guarding my heart involves keeping a watch on what I say, do, read, listen to, etc.  I should seek to fill my heart and mind only with things that are edifying and good, so that the things which spring from my heart will also be edifying and good.

One writer gave this excellent counsel which really helps me in applying this verse: "Every morning (empowered by the Spirit, indwelt with the Word) post a sentry on duty at the door of your heart."

 Warren Wiersbe explains, "The Bible warns us to avoid a double heart (Psalm 12:2), a hard heart (Proverbs 28:14), a proud heart (Proverbs 21:4), an unbelieving heart (Hebrews 3:12), a cold heart (Matthew 24:12), and an unclean heart (Psalm 51:10)....If we pollute that wellspring, the infection will spread; before long, hidden appetites will become open sins and public shame.”

Charles Bridges wrote, "The rules laid out in verses 23–27 constitute an invaluable safeguard for our Christian lives. Since we are attacked at every point, every possible place where sin may gain a foothold has to be guarded against—the heart, the mouth, the eyes, the feet. First the heart, man’s citadel, the center of his dearest treasure. It is frightening to think about its many assailants. Let it be guarded carefully. Never let the guard sleep at his post (Deuteronomy 4:9). The heart must be known, so that it may be kept safe. Nothing is more difficult, but nothing is more necessary. If we do not know our hearts, it will be as if we knew nothing at all. Whatever else we know, to neglect this knowledge is to be a prize fool."

He adds, "Then, when I know my heart and feel that it is in the middle of so many dangers, the question arises, can I guard my own heart? Certainly not. This is God’s work, though it is carried out through the agency of man. He works through our efforts. He implants an active principle and sustains the ceaseless exercise. When this is done in his strength and guidance, all the means of our preservation are greatly increased. Watch and pray. Nurture a humble spirit and a dependent spirit. Live in the atmosphere of the Word of God. Resist the evil world, even in its most plausible forms. This will be a conflict until the end of our lives."

Sobering, isn't it?  But so true and so important!

P= "Lord, I'm so thankful that You give clear instructions in the Bible for how You want your people to live.  I praise You for helping me to understand that the issues of life proceed from the heart and, therefore, I need to guard and keep my heart with all diligence.

    "I pray that You will help me to pay attention to this every day.  May I wake up each morning and post a sentry at the door of my heart.  I know that Your Word, hidden in my heart, can keep me from sinful thoughts, deeds, and attitudes.  Help me to get serious about memorizing Scripture so it will be there when I need it.   I thank You for how You will help me,  in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) Ongoing weekly teatimes with my young friend Jennifer and others .

2) Strength and creativity for decorating the fellowship hall for the missions weekend.

3) So much food leftover from the missions dinner that we had a second meal the next day!

4) A surprise encounter with one of my local young adult grandkids at the grocery store.  Orchestrated by God for sure.

5) The opportunity to talk with my young friend Rebekah and to hear how God is answering prayer on their behalf.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on FELLOWSHIP.  We were to plan a time to fellowship with friends this week.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

Our plan for fellowship: to have our missionary friends Bill & Karen over for lunch at our cottage on Tuesday; to meet with Jennifer and friends for tea on Wednesday; and a dinner cruise with our friends Syd and Cyndy on Saturday night.  

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

What I love determines the course of my life; therefore I choose to love the Lord.

We can take this challenging, uplifting thought into the coming week!

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

End of October Hodgepodge

 It's Wednesday again, and time for the weekly Hodgepodge with Joyce and the gang at From This Side of the Pond.  Joyce asks the questions, bloggers supply the answers. Here are mine.

 1. What do you like most about your family? 

Now that is a very tough question.  I really have no idea how to answer it.   Maybe just the idea that we were all placed in this family together by a sovereign, loving, all-knowing God.

2. What's something nice that's happened to you recently? 

 

Our dear friends treated us to a lovely dinner cruise on a lake.  It was so much fun.  Yummy food, beautiful surroundings, a nicely set table, good company, and a glorious sunset!

3. Do you like the color orange? Besides a pumpkin and an actual orange, what's something orange you love?

 

I do like the color orange quite a lot.  I have a couple of pale orange sweaters that I love, but I really, really love seeing orange leaves (most often on maple trees) in the fall.

4.  What's something you have now you couldn't have imagined having five years ago? How does that make you feel? What's possible now because of it? 

Let me see ... I will say our little camp/cottage.   We acquired it in 2020, but I would never have imagined that we could make it so beautiful and liveable and such a refuge.  Our daughter, son-in-law and their kids helped a lot.  I feel humbled and grateful to have this place which I would never have expected, and wouldn't have thought that we wanted or needed.  It's made possible many quiet hours of relaxation and refreshment; many sweet visits from grandchildren running over from next door or stopping by on their bikes; and many, many opportunities for hospitality and fellowship.

5. Let's wrap this one up with an October this or that...

• pumpkin bread or apple cider donut
• cozy sweater or cozy hoodie
• apple picking or pumpkin picking
• scary movie or Hallmark movie
• hay ride or corn maze
• twinkle lights or candles
• autumn hike or autumn bonfire

 Apple cider donut.
Cozy sweater.
Apple picking.
Hallmark movie -- although to be honest I've never watched one.
Hay ride.
Can I pick both twinkle lights and candles?  That's a hard decision.
Autumn hike.  If autumn campfire had been a choice, I would've had to pick that though.

Hayride at The Wilds of New England

Apple cider donuts

Apple picking (above and below) at a favorite orchard

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The current drought means no campfires in our state (except in campgrounds).  Hoping yesterday's rain (and more predicted for next week) will help that ban get lifted.

From the TWNE couples' retreat, 2022

And that's the Hodgepodge for this week!