And then there were four (Hodgepodge questions)

 

 Yes, it seems as if maybe this week I can answer four Hodgepodge questions quickly and easily.  Recall, the Wednesday Hodgepodge is hosted by Joyce at From this Side of the Pond.  Joyce asks the questions, bloggers answer them on their own blogs and link up.  Want to get in on the fun?  There's still time, so head on over!  Here are the four questions I picked, and my answers.

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter? 

I'm going to say a snowy walk.  We've had a number of those as we try to walk every day possible.  Last week we walked in a nearby tourist town, and here are a couple of fun photos from that walk.

This welcoming candy-themed snowman was in front of a Christmas Loft store.  I loved the snowflake ribbon on their wreaths, too.

This take a stick, leave a stick library for dogs was on the main street of a little town.

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun. 

I had been resisting this trend, but Joyce pushed me into it.  I wanted to show a winter photo from January 2016, but what I ended up with was a photo of my winter hutch that year. 

And then because I wanted some type of outdoorsy photo, I ended up with this one from late April 2016 when we took a mental health hike with some of our loved ones.  It's one of my favorite posts that I've ever written, so you might enjoy reading it too.  Link is here: Poems and a post for the last day of April.

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds? 

I seldom eat granola bars.  I do like them, but not the crunchy kind.   I don't really care for bars of other kinds all that much, although some of the Clif Bars are quite good.  Here is a great recipe for Homemade Granola Bars.  I do like regular granola, especially as a topping for yogurt.  I usually give granola as a Christmas gift each year.  Here's my recipe: Christmas granola.

5.  A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well...which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

I'm going to say a trickling stream.  For the most part life is moving along quite smoothly and calmly right now, which is good because I'm really embracing the idea of easing into a new year. But yet there are the inevitable things that might disturb the stream, and do -- sickness, for example, or life events either joyous or difficult that make the stream take a temporary turn.  There are those places where the stream bubbles along very swiftly indeed and I see those as the busy times of life.  I had such a day yesterday, filled with ministry and phone calls.  So in general, I'll compare life right now to a trickling stream.

Above photo is from a winter walk, photo below from a snowshoe hike.

And there are my four answered Hodgepodge questions for this week. 

Sunday Scripture

 It's time for another Sunday Scripture!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of November 10.

🌿 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) Revival meetings at church this week

2) Friendships -- time with friends from Vermont on Veterans Day, and with friends from Indiana on Thursday

3) Ministry --  planning, packing, and food prep for next week's ministry at TWNE.

[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.  A few concerns.   

Joys: Hosting friends at our camp is always a joy, especially friends we seldom see. 

Worries: Jesus said not to worry, and I seek not to.  But I have a few concerns, mostly about a vehicle that's supposed to arrive here and hasn't yet.  We have a lot to do this week and can't be bothered waiting around for it.  I'm sure it will arrive in God's timing, so I'm trying not to worry.

Desires: That God will be glorified in the events of this week.  To experience personal revival and be encouraged in my walk with God.  To be an encouragement to friends going through hard times.  To be a blessing to friends we visit with.  To plan and prepare well for next week's ministry.

Stressors: A lot of non-communication concerning a vehicle delivery.  The limitations of aging.  Energy and time constraints.  The stress of trying to get to church for revival meetings every evening.  Trying to make sure we are around when this vehicle arrives and yet having a very busy schedule to try and work around.

🌿 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 this week and all that it will hold. You are aware of my limitations and of all the stressors present in this week.  You are the One who will orchestrate this week as You see best.  You are able to give strength and You promise that Your strength will be made perfect in my weakness.  You are able to expand my time and I praise You that I've so often seen You do this.  You are fully aware of the location of this vehicle and we will trust Your timing and omnipotence in getting it safely to us.  You are so good to give us Christian friends and times of fellowship and revival!

* Lord, I feel ... a bit overwhelmed by all of the planning and details to keep straight.  A bit unsettled as we continue to wait for this vehicle to arrive.  I feel tired as it's been a busy week between revival services and hosting friends.  I feel a bit disorganized and not ready to leave on Sunday night for a week of ministry.  I feel completely inadequate to do any of this on my own -- and I guess that's actually a very good thing.

* Lord, help me with ... "just everything", as one of my girls used to say.  Help me with prioritizing, with knowing what must be done and in what order, and what can be left undone for now.    Help me to think clearly as I prepare for next week's ministry at TWNE.  Help me to have the energy needed to do all that must be done.

* Lord, forgive me for ... attitudes that don't please You; any time when I try to act in my own wisdom or strength; any lack of trust on my part.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed a friend dealing with severe pain; his wife as she tries to help and encourage him; and two widows in their 80s who are traveling (one by car, one by plane) this week.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Ecclesiastes 7:9, 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= "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger rests in the bosom of fools."  (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

O=   This is a very simple directive: 

Do not be hasty in your spirit to be angry.

WHY?

Because anger rests in the bosom of fools.

"Hasty" implies impatience, hastiness, or readiness to become angry.  The picture is of a person who is easily provoked or lacking restraint.   This is not just about external outbursts, explains one scholar, but the inner posture of a person.  This calls for Spirit-enabled self-control, slowness to anger, and inner calmness.

 "For" explains why you should not be eager to be angry.  The reason: because anger rests, or resides,  in the bosom of fools.  This thought gives us the picture of fools making their home with anger.  Anger is welcome in their home and they allow it to reside there undisturbed.  Fools keep their anger close, nurturing it, and acting out of it.  Anger here is not righteous indignation, but irrational, self-centered, destructive emotion.  Fools are driven by their emotions, but the wise exercise restraint.

Michael Eaton explains that the Hebrew word translated anger here  (ka'as) is "anger tinged with exasperation."

Cross-references  -- "He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly, and a man of wicked devices is hated."  (Proverbs 14:17)

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city."  (Proverbs 16:22) 

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."  (James 1:19)

Cross-references for "anger resteth" -- "Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath."  (Ephesians 4:26)

A= The upshot is that those who are quick to anger reveal a foolish heart.  True wisdom involves controlling your temper and refusing to let anger live in you.

Precept Austin points out that this verse "forces us to ask: Is anger merely a guest in your heart -- or a resident?  Solomon doesn't deny that we all experience anger.  But he warns against eager anger -- the kind that is ready to flare, rooted in pride or control.  Anger is not always sinful, but harboring it [or] nurturing it ... is the path of the fool.  Am I prone to quick irritation, defensiveness, or range?  Do I entertain anger or do I release it to God?  Am I living like a wise person -- or a fool with a seething heart?"

The same source, Precept Austin, also offers such practical tips for applying this verse that I simply must pass them on to you. 

🌿 Be slow to anger.  We can do this by the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word.  "Practice pausing, praying, and breathing when irritation rises."  In my prayer journal, I encourage myself to stop, think, and even pray before speaking.  I have seen firsthand the damage done by speaking before thinking.

🌿 Refuse to host anger in your heart.  Instead we must confess it and cast it aside.  Don't let bitterness take root.

🌿 Be alert to "eager anger".  Do you find that certain situations or people trigger a quick, angry response from you?  [Confession: I do!]  "Ask God to supernaturally transform your reactions through the Spirit."

🌿 Choose your words carefully.  "Fools explode.  The wise speak with measured grace."

🌿 Pursue reconciliation right away if anger has lingered in your heart toward someone.
 

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

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

Although this verse does not specifically mention God, it is in His Word, so He inspired it.  I can infer that He is a God who cares about how His people live life, and who gives clear and practical instruction to that end.

* 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 a finite human and I don't have the wisdom or strength in myself to live this life in a God-honoring way.  I'm also a person who is prone to quick anger, springing from irritating people and irksome situations,  and so I am deeply in need of God's instruction and His Spirit's empowerment to help me do right.

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

 I should be slow to anger.  I should stop and think and even pray before responding to a difficult person or situation.  When quick anger does spring up, I should quickly confess it and ask God to help me cast it aside, rather than allowing any root of bitterness to develop or allowing anger to make a home in my heart.  If I have hurt someone with quick, angry words, I should seek to get it right with God and with that person as quickly as possible.

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 the important principles in this one little verse from Ecclesiastes -- principles that are relatively easy to read and to agree with, but that may be difficult to apply in real-life situations.  I know this is certainly true for me.

    "I pray that You will help me to pay attention to this every day.  Help me to be slow to anger in difficult situations or with difficult people.  Help me to stop and take a deep breath, to think and weigh my words before responding, even praying for the right words.  Help me to cast quick anger aside as soon as it springs up.  If those times come when someone is hurt by my hasty words, I pray that you will help me to quickly make things right with them.   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) Time up north with our widowed friend Charlotte.

2) Getting to attend a ladies' Bible study with Charlotte and her two friends.

3) A delightful teatime with Deanna, Jenn, and children.

4) Wisdom in planning meals for a week of ministry at TWNE.

5) Guidance in planning Sunday Scripture posts for November and December.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on FASTING.  We were to consider fasting from something this week and to make a plan for how we'll replace our fasted item with the pursuit of God.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

My plan for fasting: We do intermittent fasting every day, usually about 17 hours.  This practice always opens up extra time to spend in God's Word and in prayer.  

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

I will not rush into anger but will act in wisdom.

We can take this thought into the coming week as we purpose not to respond to challenging situations and people with quick anger, but instead to respond wisely.

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

Three wintry questions

 

 In the interests of a quick, simple and enjoyable blog post here at midweek, I'm borrowing just three questions from the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.

I picked questions 1, 2, and 5.

1. What kind of winter person are you-snow lover, fireplace snuggler, winter adventurer, or indoor hibernator? Elaborate. 

 I'm a little bit of all four, I guess.  I do like snow, and especially enjoy watching it fall.  I hate driving in snow, but I don't mind walking in it if I have proper footgear.  We don't have a fireplace, but do have a wood stove in both home and cottage, so snuggling up to those is a definite option.  There is truly nothing like wood heat.  I don't mind a winter adventure like a walk, a drive, or even an easy hike, but nothing more adventurous than that, thank you.  There are times when I feel like hibernating indoors, but that said, I do try to get outdoors every day in winter, whether to walk or just get some early morning light.

2. The Pantone color of the year is cloud dancer, described as a gentle, billowy off white shade. The color symbolizes 'peace, clarity, quiet reflection, renewal, and a soft reset'. Of the terms just listed which do you need most in your life this winter? 

Quiet reflection and renewal.  I would also love to do a gentle 7-day home reset.  Our little cottage in the woods, below, is a magical place in winter and invites times of reflection and renewal.  It's very seasonal though so we tend to pick nights with warmish temps to stay there.

5. Thomas Wentworth Higginson is credited with this quote-

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year." 

Agree or disagree? Tell us why. 

I agree completely, both regarding actual winter and also the wintry seasons in our lives.  The Bible contains many references to winter, snow, and ice, and I am glad that we have actual winter to show us what those look like.  I am thinking especially of Isaiah 1:18 which pictures salvation as a fresh fall of snow: 

"Come now, let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

And I do believe too, that it is very often in the wintry seasons of our lives where we learn the lessons of faith and beauty that Thomas Higginson alluded to.  Those are the times we learn to lean on God and to trust His workings in our lives, and we find that those seasons have their own unique beauty.

And there are the three wintry questions and my simple thoughts and answers to them.

 

Sunday Scripture

 

Time for another Sunday Scripture!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of October 27,  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) People -- time up north with Charlotte, tea with Jennifer and friends; catching up with my daughter Joanna by phone.

2) Planning -- for November and December Scripture posts; for TWNE meals the week of 11/17; for the outreach activity the end of November.

3) Preparation --  SS lesson prep and blog postst; begin TWNE food prep; bake and freeze cookies for outreach activity.

[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.   

Joys: Time with Charlotte, and tea with friends will be a joy.  I find joy in blogging and in studying God's Word.  My morning quiet time is a joy.

Worries: No serious worries going into this week, though I do have concerns.  I prefer to pray about those rather than worrying about them.

Desires: That God will be glorified and believers encouraged through the events of this week.  To get some serious planning and preparation done for upcoming events.  To get our bedroom decluttered and dusted.  

Stressors:  Housework and laundry that won't stay done; other people needing some of my time; time and energy constraints; trying to keep life in balance.

🌿 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 this week.  You are all-knowing and know all that it will hold.  You are all-powerful and able to give me strength for it, to expand my time.  You are all-wise and You promise to give wisdom when we ask, so You are able to help me with planning, with people, and with keeping life in proper balance.

* Lord, I feel ... a bit overwhelmed by all that needs to happen this week, especially in the realm of planning and preparation.  I feel wholly inadequate and unable to do any of this in my own strength.

* Lord, help me with ... wise use of time.  With knowing what truly needs to happen and finding time for it to happen.  Help me in my interactions with people, to have patience and empathy and compassion as You did.  Help me to know if there are activities You would have me to let go of.  

* Lord, forgive me for ... times when I am grumpy and short-tempered with anyone (especially my husband) or with frustrating situations.  Forgive me for times when my tone of voice isn't what it should be, and for times when I fall into the sin of emotional eating.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed a couple dealing with the husband's cancer ; a teen granddaughter with a busy work week and orchestra schedule; a friend of a friend as she reads (and hopefully understands) the book Done, by Cary Schmidt.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Hebrews 4:12, 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= "For the Word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing under of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  (Hebrews 4:12)

O=   Cross-reference for "the Word of God": "And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of His hand hath He hidden me, and made me a polished shaft; in His quiver hath He hidden me."  (Isaiah 49:2)

Cross-reference for "quick" or "living" -- "Being born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."  (1 Peter 1:23)

Cross-reference for "powerful"  -- "Is not my Word like a fire? saith the LORD, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?"  (Jeremiah 23:29))

God's Word is a penetrating Word!

Cross-reference for "two-edged sword" -- "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write: These things saith He who hath the sharp sword with two edges."  (Revelation 2:12) 

Cross-reference for "sword" --"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."  (Ephesians 6:17) 

Concerning "piercing", Believer's Study Bible explains, 
"God's word is sharp and penetrating, acting as a critic of the thought-life and the motivations or purposes of the human heart. Note that the word of God has the unique ability not merely to discover the merit of men's actions but also to reveal hidden motivations. Thus, 'all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account' (v. 13)."

Cross-reference for "discerner" -- He that rejecteth Me,  and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."  (John 12:48)

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.

This entire verse is describing the Word of God and its power.  I'm reminded of John 1:1 and 1:11 that teach us that Jesus is the Word of God: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth."

If Jesus is the Word, then all of these descriptions of the Word of God in Hebrews 4:12 are also true of Him.

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

I'm a human whose soul and spirit can be pierced by the Word of God.  My thoughts and the intents of my heart can be discerned by this powerful Word.  I'm certainly in need of this powerful, effective Word in my life.

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

 I can trust the truths and promises of this living, all-powerful Word of God.  I should allow it to discern the thoughts and intents of my heart, and to pierce my heart with truth and conviction when needed.  I should allow God's Word to do the necessary work in my life.  I should live according to its guidelines and cling to its promises.

An unknown writer has said, 

"This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character.

Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully.

It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.

Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity."

 Theodore Epp writes, "We must first benefit from the Word ourselves before we become concerned about passing it on to others. We cannot do the work of God or have the right attitudes (as urged in the previous verses) unless God's Word is doing its work within us.”

P= "Lord, I'm so thankful for Your Word, the Bible! I thank and praise You that it is living, and powerful, sharp, and effective.  It literally works in heart and lives to achieve Your purposes.  I praise You for its precepts, principles and promises which I can trust and live by.  I'm thankful too that I am blessed to own multiple copies of the Bible and to have it in my own language.

    "I thank You that You have given me a desire to read and study Your Word every day.  Help me to read it, meditate on it, and memorize it so that it can do the necessary work in my life.  Help me to be faithful also in sharing this powerful, convicting Word with others so You can use it in their lives as well.    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) Strength and energy four a full day of cleaning at my volunteer job.

2) Answered prayer, seeing God's faithfulness to friends dealing with important legal matters.

3) The tremendous blessings of being able to meet with Jennifer weekly -- seeing God provide an opportunity we'd prayed about, literally for years.

4) An excellent Bible conference on the Saturday from which we gleaned a great deal about discipleship.

5) Since our "chance" meeting at the grocery store, maintaining contact with my granddaughter via email and realizing God is working in her life.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on REST.  We were to think about what observing a Sabbath rest looks like for us, and to make a plan to intentionally rest this week.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

We took a night at our little cottage on Thursday.  We also headed to bed at 8:30 each night we were at home -- something we aim to continue doing whenever possible.  

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

God can grant me the patience to be slow to anger. *

* Now this is true, but it really seems to me that it doesn't fit with Hebrews 4:12.  So I think I might substitute this thought instead:

God's Word is sharp, living and effective, and He will use it to work powerfully in my life.

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

From the January archives

 I guess that I have never done an archive post for January.  I can't find it, if so.  So it's high time that I put one together!  It's also an easy sort of post to buy me a little time while formulating my New Year goals.   Pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea (isn't this snowflake coffee pot beautiful?)  and enjoy the read.

I'll start by sharing Cranberry Orange Muffins, from January 2007.  As I mentioned in the post, this muffin recipe includes cornmeal and I really like the texture.

From 2008, When the Path is Steep is a devotional thought that might encourage anyone facing what looks like a hard season.

January 2009 had so many posts to help with spiritual growth.  I will share just two: Reading Through the Bible in a Year or more, and Enriching one's life by use of a Prayer Journal.  I think I need to update that Bible reading post (or write a new one) since I've discovered other great ways of reading through the Bible in the interim.  If you are interested in the others -- there are more posts about my prayer journal and quiet time -- just go to the archives for January 2009.

In 2011 I did a number of embroidered designs, mostly pillow cases and dish towels.  You can read about them here: Bluebird and Sparrow designs.  And Hearty fare for a cold night features Rosemary Chicken with White Beans.  

Vintage Style Pillowcases, from 2012, is a pattern I have made often.  So customizable!

A post about three cross-stitched Christmas ornaments might give you some ideas for the coming year's Christmas crafting.  From 2015.  Further crafting from that same January included a flannel baby blanket which has become my go-to baby gift.  New moms love the convenient size of these blankets to place over baby in the car, or to use as a handy nursing cover.

From 2016, I share some ideas for Winter Centerpieces.

This post could become quite unwieldy, as I have nine more years of archives to look through.  So I will end with this and plan to do a second archive post later in the month.

Sunday Scripture

 

================================================

Time for another Sunday Scripture!  As promised, I'm getting back to 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.  I took a break from this for the months of November and December, but now we are back!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of October 20,  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) Homemaking -- Try once again to do a 7-day home reset.  Previous attempts have fizzled out, but this week looks relatively quiet.

2) Energy/Etsy/education -- Get back to exercise and walking; prepare some new Etsy listings; attend a Bible Conference (with a focus on discipleship) on Saturday.

3) Ministry --  Prepare and teach SS lesson; work at TWNE; blogging; tea and discipleship on Wednesday; phone calls.

[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 I'm deeply concerned about.   

Joys: If I can manage a 7-day home reset, I hope to find joy in that.  Ministry is a joy and I especially look forward to our teatime on Wednesday.  It will be a joy to learn at the Foundations Bible Conference and we look forward to the likelihood of connecting withe friends there as well -- another joy!

Worries: I do seek not to worry, as Jesus says worry is sin and commands us not to do it.  Yet I do have concerns.  I seek to pray about those and leave them with the Lord, rather than worrying about them.

Desires: That God will be glorified in the happenings of this week.  That I can be a blessing to other ladies in every context -- phone calls/mentoring; Sunday School; blogging; teatime discipleship; interactions with friends.  To learn much that will be helpful at the Foundations conference.  To list a good number of items in my Etsy shop.  

Stressors: Any unresolved situation or undone task can become a source of stress.  The limitations of aging, time and energy constraints are all stressors.  I also find my husband's poor hearing to be a source of stress.

🌿 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 ... aware of every detail of this week.  You know all that it will hold -- even the unplanned things -- and You are in control of every aspect.  You are aware of my time and energy constraints and You are able to help me use each day fully and wisely.  You are sovereign over every concerning situation (and everything else) and will work each one out and give me wisdom in it.

* Lord, I feel ... wholly inadequate in my own strength to accomplish any of my plans for this week.  I feel sad that I will miss this month's Ladies of Grace meeting (same day as the Bible conference) but I can't be in two places at once.  I feel a bit overwhelmed although this is a relatively quiet week.  I feel a bit discouraged about the things.that I already know aren't likely to get done.

* Lord, help me with ... everything that needs to happen in this week.  Help me to continue to commit my concerns to You and to leave them in Your  sovereign, capable hands.  Help me with managing my time and my energy levels and with aging more gracefully.  Help me to have wisdom for every aspect of my week.  

* Lord, forgive me for ... times when I  act in my own strength or wisdom.  Times when I turn to food or distractions for comfort rather than to You and to Your Word.  Continued procrastination regarding my exercise program.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed a friend dealing with severe pain; and the families of two dear senior saints who have recently passed into eternity, as they grieve the loss.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Revelation 5:13,  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= "And every creature that is in heaven and on the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever."  (Revelation 5:13)

O=   The ESV reads: "And I heard every creature in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"

C. I Scofield titles verses 13-14 "Eventual universal adoration of the Lamb as King."  He gives a cross-reference for this title:

"Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name, That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  (Philippians 2:9-11)

John Phillips comments, "God has placed into the hands of men the decision as to whether or not they will accept Christ as Savior, but the decision as to whether or not they will acknowledge Him as Lord is not theirs to decide."

Cross-references for "sitteth upon the throne"  -- "And hath made us unto our God a kingdom of priests, and we shall reign on the earth."  (Revelation 5:10)

"And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever."  (Revelation 10:15)

Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews?  For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him."  (Matthew 2:2)

"Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when He shall have put down all rule and all authority, and power: For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet."  (1 Corinthians 15:24-25)

Cross-reference for "Lamb" -- "And they sang a new song [having fallen down before the Lamb], saying, Thou art worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."  (Revelation 5:9))

One commentator pointed out, "Both the Father and the Lamb receive equal worship. An astounding indication of the Deity of Christ and the Trinity! Only in the eternal state will we be able to fully apprehend the glory of the Father and the Son."

Cross-references for "every creature" -- ""My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever."  (Psalm 145:21) 

"Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD.  Praise ye the LORD."  (Psalm 150:6)

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 the One who sits on the throne, worthy of worship from every creature, whether in heaven, on earth, under the earth, or in the sea.  He is deserving of all honor, glory, and blessing.  He is all-powerful.  He is the Lamb of God.

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

I'm a sinner who has accepted the sacrifice of the Lamb on my behalf.  I'm a creature on earth who must bless my King with honor and glory.  I must be seeking to glorify Him in all that I do.

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

 I should live in thankfulness to Him for giving me new life.  I should live my life in a way that honors and glorifies the King.

 David McCasland writes in Our Daily Bread,  "The pleasure of sharing music in community has drawn people together for centuries. As followers of Christ, whether we are in small groups, choirs, or congregations, bringing praise to God is one of the key elements in our own expression of faith. And one day, we’ll be singing in a concert that defies imagination.
    "In a sweeping vision of the tumultuous events at the end of time, John records a chorus of praise that begins with a few and swells to a company beyond number. In honor of the Lamb of God, who with His blood has redeemed people from every tribe and nation, he song begins at the throne of God, is joined by multiplied thousands of angels, and finally includes every creature in heaven, earth, and sea. Together we will sing, 'Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!'
    "What a choir! What a concert! What a privilege to start rehearsing today!"

What a blessing this thought is to me!  I like to sing but don't do it well, nor can I read music or play an instrument.  Yet one day I will be singing in the most amazing choir ever assembled!

P= "Lord, I'm so thankful that You are the King!  Truly, You are worthy of worship from every creature, whether in heaven, on earth, under the earth, or in the sea.  You are deserving of all honor, glory, and blessing.  Not only are You the King, You are my King!

    "I pray that You will help me to live everyday in thankfulness for the new life You have given me.  Help me to pay attention to living a life that honors and glorifies You.  Help me to praise You everyday as I start rehearsing now for that heavenly choir I will one day get to sing in!  I thank and praise You  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) Tremendous fellowship with Bill and Karen, along with our neighboring family,  on the Tuesday.  Everything from side-splitting laughter to deep spiritual truth.

2) The huge blessing of being able to use our little cottage as a place for hospitality.

3) The delight of taking our 10-year-old granddaughter apple picking and out for lunch.

4) A wonderful time of tea and discipleship with Jennifer, Deanna, and Kendra.

5) A really fun dinner cruise on a lake with dear friends, which included not only yummy food but great fellowship and a lovely sunset.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on SERVICE.  We were to think about what resources we have available and how we could serve those in need this week.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

My plan for service: to share some helpful information with those who need it.  To share my time and willing hands in cleaning at my volunteer job.  To share my thoughts and results of my study with other ladies.  

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

One day, every one and every thing will worship the Lord.

We can take this encouraging, uplifting thought into the coming week and can be motivated by it to help others see the necessity of a relationship with God in this life to be ready for the next.

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!