Getting Dressed

Last night during our family worship time, Jeff read to us from Colossians 3 and 4.  This verses from chapter three, though, really stood out to me.

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another;  even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body;  and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through Him.   Colossians 3:  12-17




As he was reading I could see each one of us getting dressed each morning and adding on each of these qualities layer upon layer.  How good and pleasant would it be if we could just go to our closets or drawers and physically PUT these qualities upon our bodies.  Oh, if it were as easy as that!!  Dressing ourselves each day with all of the following traits:

          -tender mercies
          -kindness
          -humility
          -meekness
          -longsuffering
          -bearing with one another
          -forgiving one another
          -love
          -peace
          -be thankful
          -grace

Sounds almost impossible, doesn't it?  And it is!   It is only through Christ's righteousness that we can exhibit any of these qualites and even then it isn't always easy.  I fail. every. single. day.  At the end of a busy day of homeschooling, cooking, cleaning, errand running and child training it is so easy to think only of myself, to get tired of answering just one more question, of listening to one more piece on the piano, to hear the constant drumming, banging, snapping that one son MUST do (he has so much music and rhythm within him that it MUST come out!), one more dish to wash, one more load of laundry to fold....It's tiring and I snap, fail.  But then I remember that even though I do struggle, I do not depend upon my own works for salvation.  I can rest on HIS righteousness and not my own weak self.  How wonderful and precious is that?

The following poem, written many, many years ago by Charitie Lees De Chenez is so special to me.  I cannot get through singing it at church without tears, but the third stanza is generally where I break down.  Yes, I will strive to clothe myself in all the qualities listed in Colosians 3, but will daily remember that Christ has paid it all and has clothed me, even me, with His righteousness.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
A great High Priest, whose Name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.


My name is graven in His hands.
My name is written on His heart;
I know that, while in heaven He stands.
No tongue can bid me thence depart.


When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.


Because the sinless Saviour died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him, and pardon me.


Behold Him there! the risen Lamb!
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace!


One with Himself, I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood;
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God.

Psalm 34

Photo courtesy of Jordan Chamblee

Psalm 34 

(Nahum Tate, 1652-1715 and Nicholas Brady, 1659-1726)

Through all the changing scenes of life, 

In trouble and in joy,

The praises of my God shall still

My heart and tongue employ.

Of His deliverance I will boast,

Till all that are distressed

From my example comfort take,

And charm their griefs to rest.

O magnify the Lord with me,

With me exalt His Name;

When in distress to Him I called, 

He to my rescue came.

The hosts of God encamp around

The dwellings of the just;

Deliverance He affords to all

Who on His succour trust.

O make but trial of His love, 

experience will decide

How blessed are they, and only they,

Who in His truth confide.

Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then

Have nothing else to fear;

Make you His service your delight,

Your wants shall be His care.

Moist Delicious Apple Cake

There is a tinge of fall in the air and having two birthdays to celebrate this past weekend I decided to pull out a recipe that has been sitting unused in my file box for almost 20 years.  It has been sitting there, but not forgotten.  I have been haunted by the memories of this wonderful apple goodness that was shared with us after a dinner with friends in Georgia, but never did anything about it.  This weekend I did something about it.....and I baked this cake....but not just one!  No, I decided to bake two of them and put one in the freezer for another time.  Once I got started I wondered why I hadn't made it before...It was much easier than I thought.  Oh, yum!!  Just looking at the picture makes me want another piece, but alas, there is only the frozen cake remaining.  I will control myself!  

With fall quickly descending upon us and none too soon, in my family's opinion, I thought I would share this lovely recipe with you!  If  you decide to make this wonderfully rich and moist cake, please drop me a comment to let me know how you liked it.

Washington Apple Cake

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup cooking oil (I used olive oil)

2 cups all purpose flour

2 t. cinnamon

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 t. vanilla

1 cup chopped walnuts

4 cups thinly sliced pared tart apples (I used Granny Smith)

Beat eggs with a mixer until thick and light.  (I mixed in my Bosch)  Combine sugar and oil;  pour into eggs with mixer on medium speed.  Stir together flour, cinnamon, soda and salt;  add to egg mixture with vanilla.  Beat to mix.  Stir in walnuts.  Spread apples in a buttered 9 x 13 baking dish.  Pour batter over apples, spreading to cover.  (the batter will be thick)  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour.  (I baked mine for about 45 minutes)  Remove from oven and cool.

Make cream cheese icing.  Soften an 8 ounce brick of cream cheese.  Beat until fluffy.  Beat in 1/4 cup melted butter; then beat in 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 t. lemon juice.  Spread over cake.  Cut into squares and serve.  

If you are interested in more delicious apple recipes check this post.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.   Proverbs 25:11

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Building Up Walls

As I read through the book of Proverbs with my children each school morning I mark verses that really stick out to me.  It is funny that even after years of doing this there always seems to be a different verse that demands my attention.  Proverbs 25: 28 has been speaking to me loud and clear in the last few days and the children and I have spent some time discussing it.

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.    Proverbs 25:28


Many times when we near a large city we will see neighborhoods surrounded by brick walls or tall wooden fences which remind me of the walled cities of the ancient world.  Why do the walls exist?  They are used for protection-to keep the enemy outside the wall.  Usually there would be a very few gates which would be heavily guarded and no one could enter without going through these gates.   If the walls were broken down then the city became defenseless.  It is the same for each of us.  We must have walls to defend our own souls.  We must develop habits that will build up walls of protection for our bodies, our thoughts and our emotions.  If we do not have self-control we will be of no use to God.  We must learn to defend the gates of our bodies by carefully guarding what we see, hear and do.

Remember the little children's song "Oh, be careful little eyes what you see? Oh, be careful little eyes what you see? For the Father up above is looking down in love, oh, be careful little eyes what you see?"  Other verses: be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little feet where you go, and be careful little hands what you do.  I think many of us forget this as we grow older and allow ourselves to become lax in guarding the gates to our thoughts, bodies and emotions.

God commands us to control our bodies:  1 Corinthian 9:27  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.  Many of us have recalled the guards and let thrown the gates wide open here.  We are too lazy, too busy and make so many other excuses that we don't exercise our bodies that way that God intended.  We overeat and eat foods that are not good for us.  Our culture has said to us over and over that we "deserve" a break, you only live once, go for the gusto!  But God calls us to have control over the desires of the flesh.  My flesh is weak!  I have established bad habits with overeating and lack of exercise.  As I continue to study more and more about self-control with my children I hope to model  better habits in these areas.

God commands us to control our thoughts:  2 Corinthians 10:5  Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  We must guard our eyes and our ears and not allow ourselves to become involved in anything that would lead us to think of things that are impure and indecent.  We must also BE the guard for our children until they are old enough to have control in this area themselves.  Music, literature and movies can be the impetus of impure thoughts.  We need to guard these areas diligently so that our children and ourselves will not be exposed to materials that would cause any of us to have impure thoughts.  I recently assigned a book to an older son to read.  It was on several recommended book lists for the World War I period, but after reading a chapter or two he brought it to me saying that there was some unGodly language and that there were sexual innuendos.  He has learned to guard his thoughts by not reading or watching anything that would cause him to think impure thoughts.

God also commands us to control our emotions. Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.    Proverbs 25:28   We mustn't allow our emotions to control us.  Anger is a sin! Fear is a sin!  Irritation is a sin! We must curb our emotions and teach our children to do the same.  It is only with God's help that we can do this.  Our sin nature causes us to be an emotional mess at times.

Only through God can we build up the walls to protect ourselves and our children.   Learning to control our bodies, our thoughts and our emotions is necessary to live fully in Christ.   I look forward to studying more about self-control in the next few months using Polished Cornerstones and Plants Grown Up with my youngest daughter and sons.  These are wonderful resources from Doorposts that will help  you teach and guide your children to living a more Godly life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;  in all  your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  Proverbs 3: 5-6

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Bless the Lord

Psalm 103:  1-5

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits;
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

He Sees

I shared in a post earlier this summer about Amy Carmichael's view of education.  I recently re-read that post and thought I would highlight a little portion of that once again.  Always on the search for motivation not only for myself, but for my children, I printed this little poem out in a nice font to display in a prominent area.  I think I will even make it our copy work assignment for today and have some of the children memorize it.  I hope it speaks to you.

Jesus, Savior, dost Thou see

When I'm doing work for Thee?

Common things, not great and grand,

Carrying stones and earth and sand?

I did common work, you know,

Many, many years ago;

And I don't forget.  I see

Everything you do for Me.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance;  for you serve the Lord Christ.  

Colossians 3:  23-24

Routines or Schedules?

I am not a schedule person.  Trying to keep our days managed in hourly or half-hour increments makes my eye twitch.  Seriously!  My guts tighten up and I can turn into a monster.  Give me gentle routines....everyone knowing what they are supposed to do and when it is supposed to be done.  That's for me!

Except we have slipped out of our routines.   When the older girls were small, I had two lists of routine chores and activities typed up.  Each week the girls either had "A" chores or "B" chores.  Each list was divided into several categories:  Before breakfast, after breakfast, before lunch, after lunch, after school, after dinner, etc.  It made life much more manageable.  And then we added more and more children and the older ones could still do their "A" or "B" chores and the  younger ones...well, they just didn't get as much guidance in the chore department.  Now, I generally only have the younger ones here at home during the bulk of the day.  However, they are not quite so young anymore.   My 18 year old son is a big help.  He generally does whatever I ask without complaint and pretty thoroughly.  Key word here, though, is ask.  I'm sure he would prefer knowing what I expect him to do without me having to ask or tell him.  The other problem with him is that he works part-time three days a week, so he is not available.  That leaves me the 14, 11 and 6 year olds whom I have neglected sorely in this department.  Don't get me wrong!  I do give them chores to do each day, but I have failed to INSPECT them each day.  You know the old adage "don't expect what you don't inspect"!  So it has occurred to me that we all need a period of training.  We desperately need to rid ourselves of bad habits and replace them with good habits.

This morning I sat down with my school aged children and we discussed some routines that need to be implemented in our family to help our days run much more smoothly.   I thought I would share here for accountability and I thought there may be someone out there who could use some help or encouragement in this area as well.  Or you might just sit back and get a chuckle at the 22+ year homeschooling veteran who is still struggling to get some routines figured out for her family"!  Ha!!  I would laugh with you, but really, it's something that changes every time a new baby is born, a child starts working, a daughter or son is married and leaves  home....and for the record in the last five years I HAVE HAD  one daughter get married and leave home, a husband whose job changed, a home business started, two children start working and a new baby born....and just to add a little more into the mix we also had three grandchildren born in that time frame.  Time brings so many changes!

Before breakfast:
-awake and wash up
-get dressed--even socks and shoes
-brush hair
-make bed and tuck pajamas under pillow
-have quiet time of Bible reading and prayer

During breakfast:
-review memory verses posted on white board
-listen to our weekly music selection

After breakfast:
-everyone clears their own dishes from the table
-brush teeth
-do after breakfast chores (which will be posted on the bulletin board and assigned for a week)

Group time:
-read our daily chapter from the book of Proverbs
-review our Greek and Latin roots
-geography or history --alternate days for group teaching
-missionary biography
-music history

Independent work:  (this will also be done when they complete their after breakfast chores and before we start group time)
-I work with Jackson at this time while trying to keep Caedmon occupied as well (if Devin is home, she occupies Caedmon)
-math
-typing
-math drills
-assigned reading
-grammar and writing

Before lunch:
-general pick up

After lunch:
-Kaelan and Aaron clean the kitchen while I read with the little boys and get Caedmon down for a nap

Afternoon session:
-Kaelan and Aaron take turns practicing piano, Kaelan practices violin, Aaron does science and Spanish and both of them do any unfinished work
-Jackson and I work on any unfinished work

Free time:
-outdoor play or whatever  until 5

Before dinner chores

Dinner:
-we have started doing our family worship at the table right after we eat...It is easier doing this that waiting until after dinner clean up and baths.  It makes our evenings more relaxed as well.
After dinner chores

Before bed;
-general pickup
-gather and sort laundry
-take out the garbage
-lay out clothes for the next day
-start breakfast (mix up muffins, lay out dishes, prepare fruit, pull from the freezer)


I need to resurrect the "A" and "B" chore list for Aaron and Kaelan to rotate weekly and make a daily list for Jordan and Jackson as well.  When Devin is home she takes care of a lot of the food prep for me and anything else that she can help with...however, she is gone all day two full days a week, about half the day on another day and must practice two hours or more each day.  She is not at my beck and call!  Now to get busy with the chore lists and start working on developing good habits!  How do you roll at your house?  Are you a scheduler or do you do better with routines?  Do you find you have to change things around every so often?  I would love some feedback from others on our routine list.

Calendar

I am a planner by nature.  I like to have everything planned out, if possible, before the school year starts.  I don't do well with last minute spontaneous events.  I have to prepare myself ahead of time to be away from home even for the evening.  I don't know if  it's a "getting older" thing or not, but it is what it is.

The other day I was filling in the calendar with our known activities for the year and had a brief moment of panic as I began to think about all the unknowns.  There are many things that I can plan for----what we will study in school, piano lesson times, field trips, vacations, birthdays, work days, etc, but it's the UNKNOWN events that can unravel me.  With a large family there is always a time of sickness--doctor's visits, time that a child just needs to be in the bed, and interrupted sleep because of needed breathing treatments.  We have had our share of broken bones (only Kaelan, but she has managed to break both arms and is still seeing the orthopedic surgeon bi-annually from her last break 3 years ago), emergency room visits, out-patient surgeries and even an ambulance ride and critical care stay.  It seems that God grants me more grace to get through the more major unknowns as I can remember not being panicked when my child wasn't breathing or when faced with Kaelan's obviously broken bones.  It's the little unknowns that get me frazzled;  that cause me to be irritated and annoyed.  I am a control-freak.

There, I said it.  Some of you probably already knew that. ; )  I am the oldest of four and had a good bit of responsibility put on me as a child.  I am a mom to many who homeschools as well.  I must have control over most things.   It's hard to step back and let others be in control.  It can even be hard to remember that ultimately God is in control.  No matter how many unknowns may be lurking to "shake me up", I need to rest assured that the all-knowing and all-seeing God is not surprised and He will not become unglued;  He will and does reign over all.  So Lord, here I am in the first few weeks of our school year, realizing that I cannot do it all;  I cannot see all that is coming up;  I cannot rest in my own strength;  so I give it all to you.  Your plans are much better than I can ever write;  You know what  each of my children needs to learn for this year;  You know what lessons I need to learn this year;  You have plans for our family that we cannot comprehend.  Please help me to step back and rest in Your plans.

Even now as I am typing here, I receive a phone call that sets me in panic and changes my morning plans.  Lord, calm my heart and set my path to just do the next thing that You have given to us to do.

Proverbs 16:  9  A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Playing Catch Up

 Life, as usual, has been busy around here lately.  I am always amazed at how other moms can be involved in so many outside activities and maintain their sanity.  I learned a few years ago that I needed to say "NO" more often so that I could keep things going on the home front.  We are busy enough as a family with music lessons, work and travel schedules to add any other activities to our load at this time.

I just wrote that and  I now see how ridiculous that looks as these last few weeks have been filled with activities that I was involved in.  A couple of weeks ago we had our annual father/daughter banquet that I helped coordinate.  We were blessed to have Geoffrey, Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin join us and share with our fathers and daughters.   The next day I began baking over 400 rolls for a friend's daughter's wedding which is this Friday evening.  This family is extremely involved in fighting a culture war in our state and I felt so blessed to be able to help them in this small way.  I have also been coordinating a How Great Thou Art Seminar with Barry Stebbing which will be held this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.   The Stebbings will also be here through next week filming a nature study series for The Homeschool Channel.

In the midst of all of this we have had our normal piano and violin lessons, Devin's teaching schedule and Jordan's work schedule.  We also had a short visit by Lauren and the boys on Saturday.  The boys are growing so quickly and now, Lauren is expecting baby number three!  Devin went home with them and helped Lauren clean her house and get ready for Elisha's first birthday party.  Jeff's parents were able to attend along with our son-in-law's family.  With just family there were about 27 people there!

Please remember Jeff's step-father, Earl, in your prayers.  He has recently found out that he may have lung cancer and will be finding out from the surgeon today when surgery will be scheduled.  He and Jeff's mom, Erma,  have both been fighting pneumonia these last few weeks and, of course, he is very anxious about the cancer prognosis.  Please keep both of them in your prayers.

After the Congressional vote in Washington on Sunday I found it a little ironic that we were beginning a study of the Revolutionary War on Monday.  We are continuing to study the character trait of responsibility and will soon begin a study on courage.  Can I just say that it would so amazing if all of our elected officials would take some time off and do a little study on these topics as well?  I am so very grateful that I can point my young men to the examples of responsible and courageous men from our country's past history.  I can only pray that they will be men who will stand in the gap, speak truth, and follow God in all they do.  No, I can do more than that!!  I can teach them God's Word and point them to Godly examples who have done great things in the past!

It is so very easy for Christians to become discouraged and dismayed in today's world.  We have had many discussions around our  dinner table about what this legislation means and how we can respond.  Jeff has shared this portion of scripture with us and it is so very appropriate.  The LORD tells us here specifically what we are to do!   This is a letter written by the prophet Jeremiah in Jerusalem to the Jews who were  captive in Babylon.

                   Jeremiah 29:  4-14  Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried                away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:  Build houses and dwell in them;  plant gardens and eat their fruit.  Take wives and beget sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters--that you may be increased there, and not diminished.  And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it;  for in its peace you will have peace.  For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:  Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.  For they prophesy falsely to you in My name;  I have not sent them, says the LORD.

                   For thus says the LORD:  After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me will all your heart.  I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity;  I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

Notice that God caused them to be taken captive.  He also tells them to build homes, plant gardens, marry, have children SO THAT YOU MAY INCREASE AND NOT DECREASE!  Seek the peace of the city, town, county, state and country that you live in.  Pray to the LORD for it.  If there is peace in the city, town, county, state and country then you will have peace.  Search for the LORD will all your heart.  He will be found!

    

Redeem the Time

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5: 15-17

This is our memory verse for our first week of the new school year. It will probably become our theme verse AGAIN for this year. There is so much in this verse to digest. Today, after the children copy the verse, I think we will look up the word CIRCUMSPECTLY and discuss its meaning and each day discuss a different phrase. "Redeeming the time" has been in the back of my mind for the last couple of years. We only have a short time to teach, train and disciple our children. Eighteen years is not enough time to teach them everything we want them to know, so we have to focus on what is most important.

After looking at some of the blogs of my IRL friends I feel that I am not prepared to start today (our math programs are not even installed on my new computer yet!), but we forge ahead anyway with what I have planned. I am eager to see what the Lord has planned for us this year as we begin a two year study in American history and as I add another student to the mix. Praying for all of you as you start your school year!

Words

"What are words? What do they mean? Why do songs have to have words to sing?"

So began a short tune that I composed in college for Dr. Moore's music theory class many years ago!!

Words are very important and we find their importance throughout Scripture. Adam is given the task to name all the animals, memorials were given distinct names to reflect God's mercy and provision, the many names of God describe His character. And, we are told by John that Jesus Himself is The Word.

How we use our words can have eternal effects. If I use harsh words with my children, they will in turn be harsh with each other and with their future children. If I speak with kindness and gentleness with my children, they are kinder and gentler with their words as well.

My words can encourage, edify, rebuke and instruct or they can discourage, knock down, condemn and destroy. Words are very powerful....especially those coming from a parent.

Ephesians 4 has a lot to say about our words: We should not speak lies, we should not speak in anger. We should not speak corrupt words, but only what is good and graceful. We should not speak with bitterness, wrath, anger or clamor, but speak with kindness and gentleness.

This is a high standard that all Christians are called to hold. Many times I fail to use my words carefully with those that I love the most.

Psalm 19:14 should be a prayer for each of us.

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

Numbering Our Days

Every year during this season like many others the world over, I reflect on the past year. What can I do better this year? What do I need to work on with the children?
What do we need to work on as a family? There are so many areas that need improvement and it can be very discouraging when I begin to make a mental list of them. There have been areas of growth, though, and not just in family size. We are so thankful for our surprise baby, Caedmon, who has brought much joy. The children have grown in stature as evidenced by the "high-waters" pants that they occasionally pull out and the monthly trips for new shoes. They are also growing in wisdom although some days, being children, they can still be very foolish. But so can their mother.

Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain hearts of wisdom." This verse always comes to mind as I clean out from the old year and plan and organize for the new year. I want every day to count...not just waste in fruitless activity, but to really COUNT for God's glory. Whether it be cooking or cleaning, teaching or playing, everything we do needs to be for His glory and as if we were doing it for Him. My prayer for my family and yours is that we will number our days, planning things that will bring glory to God--whatever it is that our hands find to do so that we will gain those hearts of wisdom.