The topic of genetically modified foods has come up often in recent conversations I’ve had. This article is well written and helpful for all who have ever thought about the topic. With GMO wheat now in the news, I think this is a topic we should all think more deeply about. Click and read Plan to Eat’s article to start your engines:
Category Archives: Musings
…the heart
It is not February 23, though it does look like it outside. I’m glad I didn’t realize I was reading the wrong devotional. This is what I read this morning:
“The gospel gap doesn’t stay empty. If we do not live with a gospel-shaped, Christ-confident, and change-committed Christianity, that hole will get filled with other things… Whenever we are missing the message of Christ’s indwelling work to progressively transform us, the hole will be filled by a Christian lifestyle that focuses more on externals than the heart.”
Written by Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp quoted from Heart of the Matter, a great devotional book. Find it on page 54 if you have it.
Cooped up
Today I was utterly amazed at our weather. Being from Minnesota, we have learned to accept snow storms and heat waves at the most unexpected times. I don’t think I have seen anything so similar to a Laura Ingalls Wilder snowstorm in my lifetime.
Realization set in as I tried to get out the door to feed the chickens. You see, I couldn’t.
Discouraged
What do you do when you are discouraged? Recently, I felt down right bummed. Circumstances, relationship conflict, expectations of others, failings, my own unmet expectations, etc. piled on me. So, I took some time and downloaded a bunch of new-to-me sermons. It has helped in the past, so I gave it a try.
Well, I found that I was focusing on myself again (anyone sensing a theme in my life?). I was pointed to Christ.
What this sermon gave me:
“Me time” Ok, who has heard, you need some “me time”? For a homeschooling mom that has a hard working farmer husband and a baby attached at the hip 24/7, this is almost impossible in the current definition of the phrase. So, for my sanity I just redefine it and adjust my cultural thinking and enjoy my reality. “Me time” for me: Love the Lord with the moments (yes minute moments) I’ve been given by being still, praying, giving thanks, singing, reading, things that help me calm down and enjoy life.
The word. 2 Corinthians 4:7, “7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair…” Did you see that? The power belongs to God, not us. Christ is all. Jahill illustrates this profoundly with testimony to what Christ did in the lives of a few men through a love-filled, gospel centered response to persecution. Oh that I could be bold and love in such a beautiful way.
Right focus. When I focus on me, I feel the weight of affliction or persecution as the passage (and the sermon) goes on to say. I was focusing on that which was in front of me, on circumstances and momentary troubles not on that which is “beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Help thinking. A good sermon points me to the word and helps me dig deeper. I started thinking about Colossians 3, especially verse 2, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” I then looked at all of Colossians 3 and saw how it points at other points of my life (my relationships, my failings, etc).
Remembrance. “Christ is all” was a theme at Jubilee Church for a time when we first started. Getting into this passage helped me remember past teaching, songs, even friends and other things to be thankful for. Yes, I miss my city church, but am thankful for new relationships at my country church.
Thankfulness. In trying to get past me comes thankfulness to the God who gives all good and perfect gifts. The joy dare is a great resource to help with this.
Forgiveness. Verse 13, “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love…” Why is forgiveness so hard? And even over the simplest of things sometimes. Lord help me to more readily forgive.
When all is well
When we think we have it all running smoothly, sometimes we are thrown a curve ball. A few days ago I wrote a post called doubling our size, how we’re hosting some young men this week. Thursday I was sick as could be, couldn’t hardly move without hurting. I had gotten some stitches out from getting a large mole removed and it felt like infection had set in. I slept most the day and took probiotics later in the day, thanks to Mat’s suggestion, which seemed to help immensely. Today I am feeling much better.
So what did I think of first when I wasn’t able to wake up and make lunch or supper? God has a lesson for me here. This work that we are doing is not dependent on me. Things may run a little more smoothly and people may get fed in a more timely manner, but they get fed, they have a good time.
So, if you think you need a clean home, a well planned meal, and perfect health to show hospitality, I just proved that notion wrong. 3 John 1:5-8 is an encouragement to me in showing hospitality among believers.
“Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”
Country Life
Spring is coming
As I sit here listening to Lecrae, I wonder how country life will change me, my children, my relationships, my church, etc. We’ve officially been in this rural community for seventeen days. What a change from the center of Minneapolis. Certainly it has changed my family life already. We don’t have to rush off somewhere nearly as often. The nearest town is fifteen minutes away, twenty if we hit a deer. We sit down at the table for breakfast and don’t get up until devotions are done. That has been a blessed change in our lives. I’ve read posts, heard sermons, even have given my own testimony to the importance of devotions, yet often forget and let them get pushed out of our busy lives. I am reminded again to the importance of this task. I am easily angry and irritable, I grew up with this problem and it continues in my heart to this day. What a difference I see when we get into the word. I find myself enjoying more, praising more, being patient and thankful more. Don’t wait until you get out of the chaos of life to make devotions central to your life. Here’s what we’ve been going through this Easter week: Let Your Kingdom Come – Preparing your hearts for the King A post from Pastor Sam at Bethlehem.
Easter Week
Here is one great reason to love homeschooling…
This week we were able to stop for a few days and talk about Jesus. We focused on Easter and what it really is. Silas, at two, even got in on the action. We did a magnet page that states, “He is Risen!” What understanding little ones have. A few times a day I hear, “Jesus died on the cross for our sins” in his little voice. With Peter, who will be seven next week, we went a bit more in depth. We read Luke 19 and talked about what he discussed at Sunday School. He had a great question and so we went on to Psalm 22. To have such depth of scripture in a school day is a blessing. To have a boy that comprehends these truths and has a thirst for them is beyond a blessing. What a great reminder to me of the task before me. My little ones are a beautiful ministry to enjoy and pour my heart into. I love my job.
Check out our Easter garden made with wheat berries.
Hopefully it will sprout by Easter Sunday!
Easter preschool printables from confessionsofahomeschooler.com
Easter devotion from passionatehomemaking.com
I love Family Life’s resurrection eggs, but if you want to be frugal, here’s a link to make something similar: Homemade Resurrection Eggs.
Righteous Oaks Farm 