My Bible Adventure Through God's Word; a review

This seems to be my week for reviewing children's books but when I find two excellent options available, I want to share them.  This charming book is subtitled 52 Bible Stories For Kids and can be read by early elementary readers or (what I would also suggest) be used for reading to preschool kids.

While the book contains the familiar stories you would expect, having fifty-two short stories enables it to include some of them that you may not find in other books of Bible stories.  Each story has delightful illustrations kids will love.

Each story is told in such a way that is both close to the actual section of  Scripture where it is found and is easy for kids to understand.  There is an optional "Take It With You" box at the end of each story with a short "Truth" of applying the story to a child's everyday world.

I like the size of this book (5.8" by 8.7") and it is sturdy enough to be carried around by young children, dropped, lost and then found, and read over and over through the years while staying intact.  A ribbon is included to mark where you stopped reading or favorite stories.  Highly recommended!

My Bible Adventure was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

Further information is available... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

The ICB Blessed Garden Bible, a review

If you can tell a Book by its' cover, then children will be absolutely drawn into God's Word with this one.  I wish the photo could show you how pretty this kid's Bible is in person, there is a glitter in the flowers and around the little birds.

The color is a beautiful blue/aqua, which causes colors of the flowers, birds, and animals to pop enough that you feel it truly is a garden.  Although promoted to little girls, I know a nature loving boy would like this, too.

The translation is the International Children's Bible and the font is somewhat small but larger than many kid's Bibles.  There is a Presentation Page and there are extra pages within that have the pretty colors shown on the front.  These include such things as a Bible Timeline, The Names of God, The Miracles of Jesus, a list of The Disciples, a Where Kids Are Found in the Bible section, and more.

This Bible would make an excellent gift for any little girl to inspire them to read (or be read) God's Word.  I smiled as soon as I opened the box from the publisher and saw the cover!

The ICB Blessed Garden Bible was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

Further information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Sunday Afternoon Tea - Relationships and Reality

I truly believe that there is something in our surroundings those first years of life that are embedded in our soul throughout the remainder of our years.  Perhaps unrealized, when we see an object or hear a song or smell the aroma of a certain food.  We remember...

In late summer and early fall, when the corn is high and becoming golden, I feel as if the year is wrapping up.  When I hear a train whistle in the distance, it brings a smile. When I grind wheat for bread, I'm once again five years old and living across the gravel road from the grain elevator where the train would stop when a load was ready.  It is such a similar aroma.

The orange day lilies growing along side the side of the country roads right now remind me always of my father and our walks in summer when the ditch lilies were blooming.  My wish for my last meal would be chicken fried in an iron skillet, mashed potatoes with homemade gravy, and cooked to death green beans.  My mother's signature meal. I even think of her when I pass a Kentucky Fried Chicken sign.

Although we were not farmers, we lived with the land as we raised chickens, a pig, other animals from time to time, and my parents always grew a huge garden.  My father loved to add to the family meals by hunting and fishing.  Weather was always a subject of importance for those of us in the country.

When I was in early elementary school, we moved to the very small town nearby where the backyard was long and narrow and ended up at a fence near the wetlands.  We called it a swamp.  My mother and other adults would tell children stories to keep them away from the swamp lands.  They worked to a certain extent.

There were no A Girl of the Limberlost style romantic tales of moths or butterflies in these stories. The one I remember the most was about an entire tractor being sucked under by the quicksand.  I can't recall what happened to the farmer and I'm not sure it was actually a true story... or one invented to keep us out of the swamp. 

However, I had a fascination with the land so whenever possible, I made my way to a favorite climbing tree just beyond the fence and enjoyed looking at all the mysterious land.  Once in awhile, another young relative would join me.  We had a healthy fear of quicksand and snakes so we didn't go any farther. I don't think my mother ever caught on.  She may be turning over in her grave.

Growing up the way I did in my childhood, I understood why people value land whether it is to grow food or to protect swamps.  Ummmm.... wetlands.  It wasn't until most of the wetlands in this area were gone that we truly understood their value to much of nature.

As a young wife, I came to value health foods and supplements to improve my husband's immune system.  At the time, he did not realize much of his illness was made worse by being exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.  We became immersed in finding out about healthy eating as well as beginning to learn about the affects of chemicals in our food, our rivers, our bodies.

A little later, when we lived in Iowa, I was the president of our local health food co-op and we used to laugh about the different kinds of people attracted to health foods.  For we tended to be either conservative Christian homeschoolers (although I didn't homeschool until my son was school age) or very far left hippy style liberals.

You know what?  We got along.  Just fine thank you very much.

Through the years our mutual interests bonded us together stronger than any differences in politics or religion.  I have had in-person friends and many online friends with these mutual interests but different politics and religions and we relished our similarities.  Until this past election.

Then the hate began and even longtime friends were unfriending each other.  People said such vial things that I was shocked.  Hateful words such as I have never experienced were spouted and there was no room at the health food or environment party for conservative Christians.

What happened?  Well, I've thought a lot about it this past year.  Part of it I think, is just the times we live in for those of us who believe we are near the return of Christ (which I do).  The Bible tells us in various places what the world will look like at this time but I'm still shocked.

However, I truly believe the excessive hate is because of the hit and run and anonymous nature of the Internet.  After all, I voted for Reagan and Bush and not one of my liberal friends disowned me at the time.  When Bill Clinton was elected, I went into a minor depression for a few weeks.  But I didn't disown any liberal friends.

Why?  Because we pretty much knew each other face to face.  We lived in the same neighborhoods and shared recipes and our kids played basketball together and we knew each other outside of any labels society would attach.

Take away the face to face knowing, making it all just a label stamped on by the mass media... add a few dozen or hundred or thousand nasty comments from people who will never know us face to face... and we have a whole new world out there.

Throw in the fact that most people can now join the world wide web on their phones (I still have a flip top), we rarely talk to people in person these days.  Yes, some may have a thousand friends on Facebook but do we really know them?

We make up our minds about each other according to what we are made to believe, not by what is reality.  We are being taught to hate but by whom?  Who is manipulating us behind the curtain?  Why is it that there may be a coming civil war in this country and how did we get there?

The only difference I can see from now and my former friendships is this... a combination of 24/7 news cycles and the Internet.  A new world of virtual reality in which people can hit and run comment anonymously and getting rid of friends is as easy as a single click.

I love the friendships I have developed through the Internet, many people for whom I have the same affection as I do those who live in the same town.  However, we do know that the enemy can take what is good and make it used for evil.  I just pray that in my own frustrations at what is written, God guide my fingers and my mouse as well as my tongue to show only grace.

Photo:  The road that runs by my place in the world.

Living the Pantry Lifestyle - Procrastination Challenge and a bread recipe

You may remember a couple years ago, I gave myself a procrastination challenge to restart some projects that needed to be accomplished.  It worked fairly well so I've been on another such challenge lately.

This is what helped me get the deck and front porch decorated the way I like them... a little at a time.  The only thing I still need to accomplish is to wash the siding on the porch but that will be done at the last minute when I feel a burst of energy!

I've been challenging myself once again to make appointments and get some little projects done here and there.  One good thing about succeeding in the little areas is that it encourages me to attempt the bigger ones... like trying a brand new bread recipe (which involved some work before hand).

I've wanted to try a new bread recipe that I've had sitting in a drawer now for way too long.  I have plenty of wheat that can be freshly ground after two different friends gave me a bag a few years ago.  It lasts almost indefinitely when stored well but I wanted to get the nutrition back in my diet.

I started grinding wheat in the 1990s when I found out it is an excellent way to get hard to absorb B vitamins into the diet, as well as good fiber. For years I made a lot of our bread but this past year, not so much.

Illness this past winter made me more tired than usual so we have been buying our bread.  Since I hadn't been baking bread, I had ground whole wheat that was gong stale.  I still used it in quick breads but so rarely that I threw the rest away when I washed a few canisters from the garage.

I know I could have tried the new bread recipe with all unbleached bread flour but for some reason, it had to be at least partially whole wheat to my thinking.  So finally... a couple days ago... I cleaned the wheat grinder that had been neglected and last night I ground enough wheat for what I needed now and a couple other recipes.

Then this afternoon, after getting a few household chores accomplished, I got out the ingredients needed and the big yellow Pyrex bowl where everything was mixed together.  Did I mention this is a no knead recipe?  Hmm... skeptical here that it would be light as well as tasty.  I let it rise for thirty minutes in the bowl and then poured it into the loaf pan that was sprayed with olive oil and then popped it in the oven and... waited.

I'm glad I had set the timer for less than the recipe called for since my oven runs a little hot.  It looked done about ten minutes early but I used my digital thermometer just to be sure and... there was 200 degrees.  Done!  (It is 190 degrees for bread unless you add milk or an egg and I had added an egg.)  Oh, my... the aroma.  I couldn't wait to try it but it did need to rest awhile.

The photo above has a slice missing because I could not wait any longer.  It smelled so good and I used the excuse that my blood sugar was dropping and I needed to eat.  It was delicious and it will definitely be made one or two times a week, it is so easy.  It's not the prettiest loaf but the ease in preparation makes up for that and it is perfect for just one or two people (or to make to serve with soup).

My next foody type attempt will be to try some pasta salads using orzo, perhaps with black beans and corn and red pepper and... will have to ponder that more.

The recipe is from Heavenly Homemakers and she has some other recipes using the same technique... here.  I want to try them, too.  Soon.  I made it according to the recipe but without the optional cream and I used half whole wheat/half King Arthur bread flour.  Next time I'll use honey instead of raw sugar and probably add an extra tablespoon since we like the honey wheat taste.

I hope you try the recipe and... is there anything you have been putting off?  ;)

Real Artists Don't Starve, a review

In this latest book by Jeff Goins, subtitled "Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age", the author opens with new research that breaks apart a myth.  That being that Michelangelo was not a starving artist.  In fact, the new research shows he became quite wealthy in his work as an artist.

This is just the beginning as he challenges other myths creative people tend to believe.  In story after story, he shares how creatives from all over the world were able to make a living doing what they love.  Whether we use a pen or a paintbrush, whether we sculpt or we make jewelry, whatever talent we have been given can be an occupation.

This book is one you will probably want to read through quickly and then keep on hand for inspiration, perhaps marking favorite sections to come back and reread later.  The sections include:

Part 1: Mind-set
You Aren't Born an Artist
Stop Trying to Be Original
Apprentice Under a Master
Harness Your Stubbornness

Part 2: Market
Cultivate Patrons
Go Join a Scene
Collaborate with Others
Practice in Public

Part 3: Money
Don't Work for Free
Own Your Work
Diversify Your Portfolio
Make Money to Make Art

Conclusion: Join the New Renaissance

I highly recommend this book for anyone who needs inspiration, whether to read stories of people with your same passion or just the reminder that making art is a real career.

This book was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

Further information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

As Kingfishers Catch Fire, a review

The subtitle of this book by Eugene Peterson is, "A Conversation on the Ways of God Formed By the Words of God", which drew me in immediately. I had appreciated past books by the author but this one caught my attention when I found out it was a compilation of sermons. 

If Peterson, who has mentored so many pastors throughout the years, has put together a book of his hand chosen sermons, I was curious just what these sermons were about.  I wasn't at all disappointed. In fact, it could easily be said that this book has a place on the shelves of any serious Christian who wants to know not just more about God... but to understand how knowing God helps him relate to the world around him.

This is not a book most people would pick up and read through at one time.  I had already decided to read one sermon from each section to be able to give a good review.  I started reading the first sermon from the 1960s and found it necessary to read again, and again, and didn't make it to another sermon in that reading.  For the content was so rich with answers to current questions that it needed some serious attention.  Yes, this book had me at the first sermon.

The contents are divided as follows, with each Part containing seven sermons:

• Part 1: "He Spoke and it Came to Be", Preaching in the Company of Moses
• Part 2: "All My Springs are in You", Preaching in the Company of David
• Part 3: "Prepare the Way of the Lord", Preaching in the Company of Isaiah
• Part 4: "On Earth as it is in Heaven", Preaching in the Company of Solomon
• Part 5: "Yes and Amen and Jesus", Preaching in the Company of Peter
• Part 6: "Christ in You the  Hope of Glory", Preaching in the Company of Paul
• Part 7: "In the Beginning Was the Word", Preaching in the Company of John of Patmos

I have noticed this book seems to be marketed to pastors but it should be for everyone.  If anyone needs to hear and read good sermons, it is the person in the pew.  The writing is rich and deep and I'll be keeping this book out to read a sermon at a time for many weeks.

This book was provided by the publisher through Blogging For Books but the opinions are my own. 

Further information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Sunday Afternoon Tea - Standing on the ancient paths

Thus says the Lord: stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, 

where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.  

Jeremiah 6:16

My sister recently picked up the antique container, admiring the greenery and "berries" it now holds.  She looked at me and asked if I realized this container is probably the oldest object in my house?  I knew it was old but not that old!  The container looks like wood but it is made of multiple layers of paper using a pressing process which is at least from the 1800s.

She had given it to me many years earlier and to be honest, it had been stored in a dark corner as I admired it but wasn't sure what to do with it.  I love primitive items and she had come by this one when she was still an antique dealer.  It wasn't until I saw some photos in primitive decorating magazines that I knew exactly what the container needed and wallah... something old and honestly not that attractive was turned into Beauty and now sits in a place of honor in my living room.

I do love old things... old furniture, old accessories, old books, old houses.  I love places to visit such as Old Sturbridge Village and Colonial Williamsburg.  I love learning about history and books by people who lived long ago.

If you read this blog on the Home Page, you will have often seen the Bible verse which is shown above under the photo.  For each and every day it has a place on the sidebar, one of my life's verses I live by.

Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and what will happen?  We find rest for our souls.

When I was a young Christian, I kept most of my non-Bible study reading in the Old Testament.  Having not been raised in a Christian home and vaguely knowing the Bible at all, I was fascinated with the old old stories.  With the people who lived and worked and loved and hated and went to war and made peace and sinned like everyone else... and they were in the Bible!  Amazing.

It was during this time in my life that I had to make a decision.  Did I believe the Bible was True or was it just a bunch of stories told through the millenia, not unlike the fairy tales I had read in my childhood.   I decided it was Truth from Genesis verse one to the Maps.  Truth.  That, my friends,  has made all the difference.  I chose to follow the Ancient paths.

For many years, I read mostly books and heard lectures by modern Bible believing authors.  They were just what I needed as I learned about the basics of the Christian life.  For we do begin with the milk of the Word and slowly grow deeper as we build that foundation of Truth.  We need the basics before tackling the meat of the Word.

It wasn't long before I realized that I wanted to read what those people I respected were reading.  God had blessed me with very good teachers who read deeply and well.  I read Francis Schaeffer and understood a little.  I read Edith Schaeffer and understood a lot.  As I grew older and matured in my thinking, I have almost caught up with Francis and can now understand most of what he writes.  Not all.  He is gifted in areas which I am not.

Many of the author's names I am sorry to say I have forgotten but I do recall reading Paul Tournier, whom my pastor admired very much.  I think I even met him when he was in the U.S. and spoke at our church.  You must understand, I was in my late teens at the time and now I am... older. I know there were some questions about his theology later but he certainly blessed me at the time (and I can't recall what the questions are at the moment).

I read less theological and more practical authors who taught me how to live every day as a woman, a daughter, a wife, a mother.  Women I've mentioned before such as dear Edith, Emilie Barnes, Elisabeth Elliot, and Catherine Marshall.  Later I read Elizabeth George's inspiring books about living for Christ, beginning with A Woman After God's Own Heart.  Once again, as I read I paid attention to who these women admired and had learned from... and sought out those books.

There came a time when I was introduced to C. S. Lewis and perhaps he, more than any other writer, caused me to realize that our Christian life did not appear out of nowhere at the time of our salvation.  For it is built on the shoulders of those who have walked with Christ for centuries upon centuries.

When Lewis talks about the Ancient ways... he means the a.n.c.i.e.n.t. ways.  He taught me that those who lived long ago built the foundations that the Church stands on today and it is a good idea to read their works.  It was also through Lewis that I came to understand one can learn just as much through reading fiction than in books about theology.  Perhaps more.

As I find new authors, I tend to also come face to face (so to speak) with even more who have lived and worked and written long ago.  For instance, it was through reading books by John Piper that I learned about Jonathan Edwards, one of my very favorite people to read about.  I had heard of Edwards before, briefly in one or two paragraphs of history books.  However, in those pages he was nothing like the person I discovered.

As I wanted to learn more about this amazing man and his family, Noel Piper's book Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God recommended Marriage to a Difficult Man (an all time favorite biography) and I learned so much about him and his family.  Through learning about him, I came to know more about George Whitefield and the affects of the First Great Awakening upon the events that led up to the American Revolution.  Something, of course, I never read about in high school history books.

Through books by Eric Metaxas, I learned more about how faith inspired Bonhoeffer, as well as Wilberforce.  Through learning more about Wilberforce, I learned about Hannah More and the biography of her life called Fierce Convictions (also an excellent biography).  Mostly everyday heroes of the faith doing great things for Christ.

There are so many people who have walked before us that we can learn from.  Just last night, I was reading sermons by Eugene Peterson and found in a sermon he wrote in the 1960s, a truth that was needed at the moment.  Peterson, who has been influenced by those who walked before him, who has been a mentor to many in the ministry through the years, and now is in old age... inspiring me.

We need to grow quiet, away from distractions, and look to the Ancient Paths. In the stories of the Patriarchs in Genesis, the poetry of the Psalms, the writings of the men who walked with Jesus and turned the world upside down before becoming martyrs, to the first and second and third and thereafter century pillars of the Faith, to the men and women today who write Truth.

Mentioned in this Post
A Woman After God's Own Heart... info here.
Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God... here.
Marriage to a Difficult Man... info here.
Fierce Convictions... info here.

Living the Pantry Lifestyle - Slowly restocking the basics

A few months ago, I moved some cookbooks and the wheat grinder from the bottom shelf of the bookshelf (shown above) to other places in order to store more of my basic cooking and baking items all together in the red bookshelf.  This set of shelves was first in my husband's boyhood room holding books, then in our various homes holding books or homeschool supplies, and now for over ten years it has been in our kitchen.

This is where I store basic grains, baking items, beans, etc. that I use all the time.  I like the way I can see when I need to restock most items when they are about half full.  I do have extra flour in a bottom kitchen cabinet and extra oats elsewhere because I use so much of both.

Oh, off to the right are the two containers that contain wheat and a Rubbermaid style container that photo bombed the post only because I had washed the lid and was waiting for it to dry.  The gallon size glass jar on the bottom right shelf holds a Sam's Club size bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips and the half gallon size Ball jar next to it holds a Sam's Club size bag of milk chocolate chips. 

I have to budget each month for pantry basics, rotating purchases according to need.  This month I refilled the milk chocolate chips jar as I wanted to make a batch of my favorite cookie dough.  All of the cookie dough is placed on cookie sheets, two to bake for immediate gratification.  (I wanted to make some ice cream sandwiches with them.) The remainder scooped out and placed close together on a parchment paper covered half sheet and flash frozen to be transferred into Ziploc bags to have ready for baking.

One of the unexpected benefits of having the glass jars where I see them all the time in the kitchen was realizing what I was not using.  It's easy to forget a bag or two pushed to the back of the pantry but now I see the items and either use them or discard after awhile and use the jar for something else.  For instance, I had bought Jasmine rice for a recipe last year and it has been on the shelf untouched since then.  I need to either try that recipe or give valuable shelf space to another item.

I do still keep backup items in large Rubbermaid style containers in the garage.  For instance, I have two large bags of converted rice in such a container, extra pasta, noodles, etc.   I'll be honest, I haven't looked at the pasta for awhile so I'm thinking it is time to begin throwing away and replace what wasn't used with what I actually need.  Once again, Hubby brought it home from the food pantry when he used to go and these were all kinds I didn't use.  Sigh.  That was a lesson learned.

This week, I also looked through the antique yellow "pantry" in the kitchen, throwing away a few items I knew were way past date.  I can't believe it has been a few months already since I went through them in late winter.  

When I looked on the lazy Susan where I keep spices and jars of baking powder, extracts, etc., for baking, I realized I'd forgotten to buy baking soda since I last looked and there wasn't much left.  It goes on the grocery list.  I checked the date on the baking powder last time so I know it is still good but it will be replaced in the Fall. 

Last month, I purchased extra cans of organic tomatoes and a few kinds of organic beans when Kroger had them on sale.  So this month I could purchase other items at Sam's Club.  Next month I will check what is most needed at that time. 

My "little at a time" way of doing things even works in the kitchen!  ;)

LINKS
My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe which I tweaked from two other recipes when the kids were at home... here.

This is a very interesting article about America's Food Supply (and why it is important to have a home pantry!)... here.

Book Talk: May to Mid-June

Book Talk posts are a place to chat about my recent reading, not including review books since I have written about them already.  Today I make one exception as I include The Turquoise Table, it has remained on the coffee table with the rest of my current reading.

Due to a heavy review schedule, there are only three non-review books to chat about but they are all great books.  All are highly recommended additions to your reading list.

The Broken Way is the new book by Ann Voskamp.  The subtitle is "A Daring Path Into the Abundant Life".  Like Ann's other writing, this book is full of personal stories which talk to us about the subject of suffering.

As usual, Ann shares her own stories of suffering and the trials good friends are going through.  It is a conversation about God and knowing Him through the very hard times of life.  I have found it difficult to follow her writing when it is quite poetic (for some reason, my brain doesn't process some poetry, either) but I like the way this was more of a "telling of stories".

As I was reading it, I thought of many people who would benefit by this book.  It does not answer why God allows trials and suffering but it does share the stories of how God has used suffering in real life situations.

I wasn't sure if I'd like At Home in the World, Tsh Oxenreider's new book about their world travels with the kids, for I have never enjoyed traveling.  Getting there... yes.  Traveling... no.  However, I knew I had to read it.  First, because I had followed their travels on her blog and second, because readers I trust raved about it.

What I didn't expect was that this book will definitely go on my Favorite Books of 2017 list!  I thoroughly enjoyed reading each chapter.  Tsh's writing made me feel I was on the trip as she came to doubt beginning their travels in Beijing because it was such a culture shock, experiencing unusual food, arriving many late nights to a guest house that could be a surprise or a delight, and the people they met along the way.

The countries traveled were China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Morocco, France, Italy, Croatia, Kosovo, Turkey, Germany, and England.

While this book did not make me want to pack my suitcase and leave on a jet plane, it did make me feel like I had traveled with them as they saw new sights and met with both old and new friends.  I highly recommended it for good summer reading!

A Year of Picnics is subtitled "Recipes for Dining Well in the Great Outdoors".  I already had this book on my Amazon Wish List before it was published because I have loved other books by Ashley English.   I was going to add it to an order eventually but something happened to make that decision sooner.

If you follow Ashley on Instagram (@smallmeasure), you will have been following the story of their second son who was born three months early and has spent the past 70 days in NICU.  His birth was the day after the publication date of this book and when asked what people can do to help, Ashley said that purchasing the book would be a huge help to the family.

My first son was born too early and lived only half an hour so I have a special place in my heart for preemies.  I'm thrilled at how far technology has come and this little guy is doing great.  It was also a good excuse to move the book higher up on my priority list.

First of all, the book is filled with beautiful photos, ideas, and recipes for various kinds of picnics.  One thing she does well in her similar books is to provide enough ideas and recipes for each theme that almost anyone can find ideas.  They can be helpful even when the closest you come to a picnic is to throw an old quilt on the floor.

Chapters include: Breakfast Picnic, Bird-Watching Picnic, Table to Farm Picnic, Into the Woods Picnic, Children's Picnic, Waterside Picnic, Lunch Break Picnic, Sacred Tree Picnic, Ephemerals Picnic, Afternoon Tea Picnic (my favorite, of course!), Romantic Picnic, Movie Night Picnic, Falling Leaves Picnic, High-Altitude Picnic, Coffee Break Picnic, Tailgate Picnic, Rooftop Picnic,
Around the World Picnic, Twilight Picnic, and Winter Picnic.

If you should choose to purchase this book, I believe you will enjoy it very much and you will be helping the English family as they face rising medical bills.  It is a win-win!  This book remains on my coffee table.

I am including The Turquoise Table, even though it was a review book I've written about already.  It stayed on my current reading stack as I would pick it up and reread sections from time to time.  I love the idea of building community in a neighborhood by putting a picnic table in your front yard (whether it is turquoise or not).

While it wouldn't work where I live in the country, there are enough ideas in the book to inspire ways even I can show more hospitality and build community.  It also has good recipes.  Another reason to love it.  I'll eventually send this on to my daughter but in the meantime, it is still on my coffee table.

I already have two new review books to read but I'll definitely be sharing some favorites next month!

ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS POST:

The Broken Way... purchase info here.

At Home in the World... purchase info here.

A Year of Picnics... purchase info here.

The Turquoise Table... purchase info here.
Original review... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate Links.

NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible, a review

Although this study Bible has kids in the title, it could be appreciated by anyone from late elementary age children to their grandparents.  The Bible will provide an excellent addition to a child's resource library or a good start to a collection of resource material.

Each page has study notes on the wide margins, which are easy to read.  These wide margins do make the font of the actual Bible text to be very small by necessity.  That is my only problem with this Bible.  However, I wouldn't advise using it as a primary Bible, anyway.  There would be too many distractions for simply reading the text but as an addition to an easy to read Bible, this is invaluable.

The features of this study Bible include:

1. Over 700 four-color photographs, illustrations, infographics, and maps.
2. Book introductions, including important facts and an image to orient the reader.
3. One-column format with sidebar study notes.
4. Index to maps and infographics.
5. Full-color design.
6. Presentation page.
7. Ribbon marker.
8. Complete text of the New International Version translation of the Bible

I would definitely recommend this study Bible as a resource for any child who is a good reader, as well as their parents and other adults.  It makes learning more about the Bible enjoyable.

The NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

Further purchase information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Sunday Afternoon Tea - We Are the Church

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony...

Revelation 12:11 NIV

Thank you very much to everyone who responded to last week's post.  I was apprehensive about writing it because I knew there would be some who would (thankfully) not be able to relate.  However, it was met with such grace.

I should say that my husband still attends our church and that they are good people (and our pastor, now retired, was one of my very favorite humans I ever had the privilege of meeting).  I didn't fit in (and should have found a church in which I did) but there were other considerations keeping me there at the time.  I enjoyed meeting with others by going to Bible Study Fellowship for awhile, until I was just too tired to attend regularly.

The problem with an auto immune illness is that one's own body is doing a very good job of attacking itself.  Over the years, the fatigue becomes worse.  However, I thank God all the time for living in a century where five shots can keep one alive.  Fatigue?  That is manageable with a "little at a time" lifestyle.

Pondering all of this got me to thinking, though, how we are the Church.  So, of course, the Church will be imperfect because it is made up of imperfect humanity.  It is much like families, some are for the most part easy to get along with while others are argumentative.  Some families are all extroverts while others have more introverted members.  I tease my daughter-in-law that I would never fit in as a member of her very extroverted family... but I love them dearly.

We will never agree on every jot and tittle of Church doctrine but historically we have agreed on the basic tenants of the Faith... the virgin birth of Christ, salvation through Christ, the Truth of the Word of God, etc.  The older I become, the more grace I give to people who agree with the basics but who do not do church the way I do.  Other than when there is heretical theology or abuse of any kind, I don't join the conversation of throwing rocks at each other.

I mean, really... I became a Christian in a Wesleyan church, cut my spiritual eye teeth as a Presbyterian, started attending an old fashioned Pentecostal church as my husband sought healing, attended Charismatic churches, went back to the Wesleyan church, and our most recent church is nondenominational.

I can argue theology with myself!  If people ask me if I believe in a pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, or end-of-tribulation rapture, I can answer... "ummmm... all the above?".

However, the real Truth here is that we are the Church!  You and me and the pastor on TV who screams from the pulpit and the one who is kinda' boring and the graduate student who has stayed firm to his faith and the mother cooking yet another meal and the father who goes to work faithfully each day and the woman who spreads hurtful gossip and the people who are faithful workers and the slackers and the tithers and those who never give a cent and those who lay hands on others to pray and those who never ever want hands laid on them thank you very much!

The Bible tells us that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit which today means that we are the church of the Holy Spirit and that means together... we are the Church.  In all our humanity, God lives within each one of us.  We think He took a chance with those outsiders whom He called to become Apostles.  I say His real mistake was trusting the motley crew of people who would accept Him as Savior and become... the Church.

But God doesn't make mistakes.  He chose them.  He chose me.  He chose you.  He chose us to become the Body of Christ. His Church.  The one He is building a place for in Heaven.  For each of us.  Uniquely and individually... a Place for you and for me. The one He is coming back for when this age ends. 

How do we "occupy until He comes", as He instructed?  First, we do whatever He has set before us.  Each of us has been placed in this Time and Space of the 21st Century.  But then each of us have individually been gifted and placed in unique situations.  My family is different than your family.  My circle of friends is most likely different than anyone else on the planet.  My interests are both the same and different than yours.

He made each part of the Body of Christ to be unique but at the same time... necessary.  We are His hands and His feet and His proclaimer of Truth to those only entrusted to our corner of the planet, our little part of the world.  That circle which is about the size of a hug.

The world needs us to be Jesus now more than ever.  Yes, I would like to see refugees vetted for this is a fallen world and there are evil people who are taking advantage of the kindness of others to do harm.  I lived in Detroit on 9/11 and I don't know if it made the national news... but the streets of Dearborn were full of celebration for the attack.  It scared the heck out of me, living only miles away. 

Having said that... who else but the Church should be sponsoring and accepting refugees for we are to feed the poor and give homes to the homeless and take care of the orphans and the widows.

If we were truly the Church, there would be no need for government sponsored homeless shelters.  Government food banks would close if we were the Church.  Women who are scared into having an abortion would have a place to go to be taken care of and safely have her baby... whether she keeps it or blesses another woman who would love to be a mother.

The Evangelical church is known for what it is against more than what it is for.  We need to turn that around.  Not by watering down the Gospel of Christ but by being the Gospel of Christ! 

We each are not only part of His Story... individually we are a Story.  

Our lives are telling a Story each day we wake up with new mercies and breath in our lungs and a beating heart.  What are people reading when they watch your story being lived out in real time?  It is true that old saying, "We are the only Jesus some people will ever see".

We need to walk close to Him and do the best we can as we live that Story.  Never ever perfectly.  Always asking for His forgiveness when we say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing... for we will.  Living each day to new mercies and undeserved grace.

I love the verses in the Book of Revelation (the Apocalypse in Catholic Bibles) that are shared under the photo above.  How did the Church win against the ultimate enemy?  What were her most powerful tools in the war of the ages?  Simply... the blood of Jesus and the Story each of us has to tell. 

Our words and The Word. The most powerful combination on the planet.

Photo:  A favorite photo of a morning quiet time many years ago on the deck.

Living the Pantry Lifestyle - Choosing Beauty

I didn't plant anything in the garden this year with the exception of one Sweet Annie plant tucked into the perennial herb raised bed.  Otherwise, I hadn't planned on having many flowers around.  The household budget needed to go elsewhere this spring. Then I received an unexpected gift from a friend, which I normally would use to make some pantry purchases but this time... I decided upon Beauty.

It took a couple weeks of choosing and planting and cleaning the deck of winter grime but now one can look out my deck windows or the window over the sink and see a garden.  When anyone walks up to the porch, they see flowers and greenery.  I don't know about the visitors but they cause me to smile.

As important as the pantry is, I believe we are also fed by nature.  Sometimes I find it hard to put Beauty first in the budget, especially as I am always passing by inexpensive grocery store flowers which cost less than the one pound of ground beef in the basket.   Every time I look outside, sit on the deck, or walk up to the porch... I am thankful to my friend and that decision to choose Beauty.

Below are some photos that I think are self explanatory.  First the deck, then the front porch... and yes, I do live in and by a forest.

I have two small tables on the deck, the smaller one is kept free of plants so I can easily sit there with my morning coffee in nice weather.  This larger table always has flowers and herbs on it that I can see out my kitchen window.  They are easy to move to the deck railing should I need the table for company.

The pots for the basil are rather small
but I had them in the shed already.

This corner of the deck looks kind of sad but eventually the pineapple sage and bee balm will both grow huge!

View from the front porch.  Not showing is the Boston fern, hanging in its usual place which is over your left shoulder if you are holding the camera.

We still need to fix the edging clipped by the mower!

I think you can agree after viewing the photos that Beauty was a very good investment of my friend's gift... and a thank you sent to her!  :)

The Turquoise Table, a review

The subtitle of this book by Kristin Schell is, "Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard".  This book tells you how the author went from having a picnic table dropped off at her front lawn, painting it turquoise to look inviting, and eventually creating a world wide movement of building community by showing hospitality one turquoise colored table, chair, door, etc. at a time.

I must say that I thoroughly loved reading this book.  It is not only her story but it contains stories from others in the States and around the world to inspire us all toward a non-Pinterest showing of hospitality.

The book is full of photos, ideas for using this concept in your own life, and... recipes!  Of course, a book about showing hospitality and building community is better with recipes.  I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in reaching out to others by slowing down, listening, and perhaps with a plate of cookies.

The Turquoise Table was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

More information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Sunday Afternoon Tea - Crisis of Faith

I finished washing dishes recently and sat down in the living room chair with a cup of decaf tea.  I was beyond tired as it had been a long day, filled with distressing news and hard work.  Not to mention the continued... edginess.  That feeling that all was not right with my world.

I had been chatting with God off and on throughout the past few weeks, telling Him that something was wrong but I couldn't put my finger on it.  I was having a crisis of faith but at the same time I felt closer to Him than ever before.  I knew He lives and that He really does watch over my life.  Even when the world seems upside down.  Something different was causing my distress.

The darkness I felt began during the election as many that I once shared so much in common with began to talk and write with such... hate.  I have always walked the two worlds between what I would call a hippy nature and orthodoxy.   Between John Denver (secular) and Rich Mullins (Christian).

I care very much about many of the same things my online friends and acquaintances care about... organic local food, eating in season, slow cooking, taking care of the land around me, making things by hand, enjoying nature, and so much more.

For a long time, our mutual interests did not clash with my orthodoxy... the fact that I base my life and morals on what the Bible says.  After a lifetime of studying God's Word, I believe Jesus is who He said He was and I believe in the Truth of God's word.  Forever and ever, Amen.  No amount of shouting in my face will change that firm foundation.

At the same time, I began to notice that some of the people I admire but who have an intense dislike for conservative Christians had grown up in the Church and made that decision at one time to give it up and along with it... often Jesus Himself.  I'm sure there are as many stories as there are individuals living them out each day.

So what does all of this have to do with sitting in a chair, sipping decaf tea, and turning on the television?  Well, I'm glad you asked.  I perused through the shows playing at the time and saw an interview I wanted to watch with an author on Book TV.  (Yes, I even watch television about books.)  I enjoyed the last part of the interview and I was going to turn the TV off when I heard the intro to the next interview.  I was intrigued.

For the author being interviewed was one who had once been a part of Christian TV and had left after very bad experiences.  I decided to watch the interview.  Parts of it made me sad for the person had left the faith entirely and I never quite caught whether they returned or not. Then there were the parts that I understood only too well.

It was while listening to this interview, at a time I had not planned on watching TV, that I heard that Still Small Voice speaking to me.  "There is your real source of that edgy feeling.  You haven't dealt with your own feelings toward the Church."  I'd just as soon not think about it, thank you very much.

However, I absolutely knew for certain that God had led me to view the interview at that time.  For you see, He is not angry with our honest questions.  He understands when we are confused or upset... even when we try to nudge those feelings below the surface as if they don't exist.  We can't get away with hiding them, or else we become depressed or... edgy.

As I listened to the author's story, I felt God was opening my eyes to how I could relate.  Oh, various facts were not the same.  Their first spiritual and emotional attack happened when they were still very young in Christ and it was before a watching world.  Mine was more the drip, drip, drip of water that eventually erodes even the strongest of rocks. 

In many of the churches I attended, I was made to feel different than those who had been there all their life.  I was fortunate that my first long term church experience was wonderful, in a large Presbyterian church that had a loving staff and great teaching.  Having come out of the Jesus revival, I thought this was the way the Christian life would always be. 

I was wrong.  Very wrong.  For as we changed churches through the years (mostly due to moving), most of the churches we attended were not so wonderful.  Most of the time I didn't fit in.  Quite often because we were the new people and in the mind of those who were in charge of the church, this was their home away from home and only those who grew up in that congregation or who grew up in the tradition belonged.

As I listened to that author speak, tears came to my eyes.  Tears because I knew watching this person speak was God ordained.  He loved me so much that He wanted me to hear this, as an answer to my question as to why I was becoming more edgy about so many things.

It was because, since the election, I had to dig deeper into my faith to stand up for what I believe while, yet... I could understand how some of those who leaned toward spiritual things outside the Church had come to find their way there.

I wanted to sit with them, sipping herbal tea and nibbling organic cookies, and tell them I understood.  I have walked where they have walked.  On different but similar paths.  I wanted them to know that Jesus understands how it feels to be rejected.  He who gave the Law and created the Sabbath and birthed the Church... he didn't fit in with the religious of the day, either.

God used that interview to remind me of where I have been and what I needed.  Instead of finding the places we disagree, I need to be praying for them to finally find Him.  The One who loves them more than they could ever understand.  He loves me that much and them that much and you that much.

Will I ever return to the organized church?  I'm not sure.  Exhaustion that is both physical and emotional caused me to finally stop attending many years ago.  I understood the physical at the time, I didn't realize the emotional until later.  I'm sure if the right opportunity came along, I would at least give it a try.

In the meantime, I will catch myself when I'm being judgmental towards those who think differently than I do about God and politics and social stuff.  I'm not going to agree with their beliefs but I'm very willing to love them in our disagreement.  Never watering down the Gospel of Christ but also hoping to never represent it with anything less than love.  Never returning hate with hate.

I'm sorry about the rambling here for I have rewritten words and removed paragraphs and changed around sentences all day but it is now time for this baby to land.  It has been circling around in my head, not unlike the jets which circle O'Hare International Airport... waiting for their turn at the gates.

So I leave my musings and pray that they are understood.  With grace.

Living the Pantry Lifestyle - Change of Season Chatting

You know you have had a busy week when Facebook gives you an announcement that you "Have to write a Post!".  Sheesh.  Talk about bossy!  ;)

Normally I have a book review scheduled for mid-week but there was none for this week.  A Book Talk post can't be scheduled until I finish reading the last book I'm going to chat about.  Soon.  So with the busyness of the work needed to do outside, I didn't write and Facebook let me know about it.

It is finally getting quite warm here and I've been going through my same seasonal menu adjustments that occur every year.  For I am not much of a warm weather cook.  Almost everything I enjoy cooking is better in cooler temperatures. Add into this two different sets of food do's and don'ts and I'm ready to hang a Closed sign in the kitchen... and I usually love to cook.

Since neither a maid or a cook is in the budget, I've been looking through my recipe box for easy dinner ideas that do not require turning on the oven or spending a lot of time over a simmering pot.  More salads are definitely part of the plan.  I go through this every year.  You would think by now there would be a nice selection of favorite meals but no... each year it is like starting all over again.

I think part of it is because I'm not really a summer person.  The only time I would have ever considered myself one who loved the summer was when we lived in Western Michigan and then... how could one not love it?   However, where I live now it is just hot and sticky and there are snakes in the grass.  Literally.  I saw one today.  (Which means I am NOT getting off the deck all summer!)

Anyway, with salads on the menu, I've been thinking of changing from Colavita olive oil to a California oil.  I read an article about America's Test Kitchen doing a study of the ten top olive oils sold in American grocery stores.  Every one of them failed their test except for one... California Olive Ranch Everyday oil.  Which, the author of the study said, has become his "go to" oil at home.

It is available at a few grocery stores near me so I bought a bottle a couple weeks ago.  I must say, it really does taste richer than Colavita (which is a blend of various Italian extra virgin olive oils).  Actually, it is delicious!  My husband doesn't like olives so I can't use an olive oil with a heavy olive taste so this is perfect.  I'm providing a link to Amazon but it is less expensive at the grocery store if one near you carries the brand.

For my husband's everyday salad dressing, I make our favorite lemon vinaigrette and use Spectrum's Non GMO Canola Oil for it.  It is much cheaper than their organic version and without the concerns of GMO canola.  Since I make a large amount at a time and keep it in the refrigerator, the canola  oil doesn't solidify.  If I am making it to use right away, I'll sometimes use extra virgin olive oil.  He can no longer have vinegar unless it is cooked so I now use all lemon juice.

I added two items to my Non-food Pantry List this week as I thought of them.  First were Dobie sponges, which I use for washing dishes and I had just opened my last box.  Second, work gloves for my husband.  I noticed the work gloves he uses all the time were getting ummm... used.  I was going to say "ratty" but I thought I'd be nice.  Good work gloves just may go on my Christmas gift ideas list for him.  I know but hey, the year is almost half way over!

Mentioned in this Post
California Olive Ranch Everyday Oil... here.
Spectrum Canola Oil Non-GMO... here.
(Both are cheaper at grocery stores, although not all stores will carry the brands.)

Lemon Vinaigrette recipe... here.

Interesting America's Test Kitchen Olive Oil article... here.  (This article is actually about their premium extra virgin olive oils testing but California Olive Ranch is mentioned in it.)

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Because you might wonder:  The oil in the tall decanter is regular canola oil, which I use for frying because I can only afford so much of the good stuff and it is going to get really hot, anyway.