YUM! I am definitely going to have to try these as Chad LOVES tater tots!
Homemade Tater Tots
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
It Is Well With My Soul
For some reason the Lord put the hymn, It Is Well With My Soul, on my heart yesterday. I was trying to sing it all, but couldn't remember it. One thing I never forget, however, is how it was written. I thought I would share the story with you. The following was taken from Bible Study Charts if you want to look into even more information about the author and/or song.
This hymn was written by a Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford. You might think to write a worship song titled,'It is well with my soul', you would indeed have to be a rich, successful Chicago lawyer. But the words, "When sorrows like sea billows roll ... It is well with my soul”, were not written during the happiest period of Spafford's life. On the contrary, they came from a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy.
Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were pretty well-known in 1860’s Chicago. And this was not just because of Horatio's legal career and business endeavors. The Spaffords were also prominent supporters and close friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher. In 1870, however, things started to go wrong. The Spaffords' only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, it was fire rather than fever that struck. Horatio had invested heavily in real estate on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1871, every one of these holdings was wiped out by the great Chicago Fire.
Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters on a holiday to England. And, not only did they need the rest -- DL Moody needed the help. He was traveling around Britain on one of his great evangelistic campaigns. Horatio and Anna planned to join Moody in late 1873. And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November, from where they were to catch the French steamer 'Ville de Havre' across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned. He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe while Spafford returned West to Chicago. Just nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read: "Saved alone."
On November 2nd 1873, the 'Ville de Havre' had collided with 'The Lochearn', an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had been rescued, Mrs. Spafford's first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her, "You were spared for a purpose." And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."
Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved wife. Bertha Spafford (the fifth daughter of Horatio and Anna born later) explained that during her father's voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.
The words which Spafford wrote that day come from 2 Kings 4:26. They echo the response of the Shunammite woman to the sudden death of her only child. Though we are told "her soul is vexed within her", she still maintains that 'It is well." And Spafford's song reveals a man whose trust in the Lord is as unwavering as hers was.
Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were pretty well-known in 1860’s Chicago. And this was not just because of Horatio's legal career and business endeavors. The Spaffords were also prominent supporters and close friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher. In 1870, however, things started to go wrong. The Spaffords' only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, it was fire rather than fever that struck. Horatio had invested heavily in real estate on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1871, every one of these holdings was wiped out by the great Chicago Fire.
Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters on a holiday to England. And, not only did they need the rest -- DL Moody needed the help. He was traveling around Britain on one of his great evangelistic campaigns. Horatio and Anna planned to join Moody in late 1873. And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November, from where they were to catch the French steamer 'Ville de Havre' across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned. He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe while Spafford returned West to Chicago. Just nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read: "Saved alone."
On November 2nd 1873, the 'Ville de Havre' had collided with 'The Lochearn', an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had been rescued, Mrs. Spafford's first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her, "You were spared for a purpose." And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."
Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved wife. Bertha Spafford (the fifth daughter of Horatio and Anna born later) explained that during her father's voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.
The words which Spafford wrote that day come from 2 Kings 4:26. They echo the response of the Shunammite woman to the sudden death of her only child. Though we are told "her soul is vexed within her", she still maintains that 'It is well." And Spafford's song reveals a man whose trust in the Lord is as unwavering as hers was.
It Is Well With My soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Importance of Modesty
I read a post on the issue of dressing modestly. This is something that I think about often because so many Christian women do not dress modestly even when attending church. We are determined to not only teach our girls how to dress modestly, but also act modestly and make it a heart issue. If you feel led, please check out the link.
The Importance of Modesty
The Importance of Modesty
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Apple Cobbler
I love when I come up with a recipe and it turns out just absolutely yummy! Tonight was one of those nights. I had an idea for a cobbler using my canned apples and so I had out three different recipe books and picked and chose from those recipes and incorporated my own ideas to come up with something new. I only made a 9x9 pan, but I should have made more! I wish I would have thought about taking a picture of it so I could post the picture as well, but I was still unsure of how it was going to turn out.
Ingredients:
1 quart canned apples 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water 2 tbsp corn starch
2 cups flour 4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt 2 tbsp sugar
1 stick butter 6 tbsp milk
cinnamon/sugar mixture
Drain syrup from canned apples into saucepan. Add sugar, water & cornstarch. Cook until thickened. Add apples and heat through. Pour into a 9x9 pan.
Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in butter. Add milk. Drop by spoonfuls to make 9 "biscuits" on top of apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.
I'm sure this would be equally yummy with canned peaches, pears, cherries, etc. You could even just use a canned pie filling and skip the step of making your own fruit mixture. The nice thing about making your own is you are in control of the ingredients. The apples were canned with cane juice crystals and I used cane juice crystals in the recipe. I also used spelt flour and goat milk to make the biscuits.
The next time I make this recipe, I'll be doubling it and making a 9x13 pan. Chad was disappointed to only get one biscuit and fruit for his dessert.
Apple Cobbler
Ingredients:
1 quart canned apples 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water 2 tbsp corn starch
2 cups flour 4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt 2 tbsp sugar
1 stick butter 6 tbsp milk
cinnamon/sugar mixture
Drain syrup from canned apples into saucepan. Add sugar, water & cornstarch. Cook until thickened. Add apples and heat through. Pour into a 9x9 pan.
Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in butter. Add milk. Drop by spoonfuls to make 9 "biscuits" on top of apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.
I'm sure this would be equally yummy with canned peaches, pears, cherries, etc. You could even just use a canned pie filling and skip the step of making your own fruit mixture. The nice thing about making your own is you are in control of the ingredients. The apples were canned with cane juice crystals and I used cane juice crystals in the recipe. I also used spelt flour and goat milk to make the biscuits.
The next time I make this recipe, I'll be doubling it and making a 9x13 pan. Chad was disappointed to only get one biscuit and fruit for his dessert.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Psalm 25:4-7
4 Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.
Remember when I talked about praying scripture over your own life and over the lives of your husband and children? Here is another part of scripture that I have prayed over my own life before and was brought back to it today. Not only did I read this scripture with a heart of prayer, but I also wrote it in my prayer journal.
We are told to ask the Lord for wisdom, but yet so many people don't do it. The Lord is faithful and will grant us understanding and wisdom if we ask. JUST ASK!
The Lord also tells us that when we ask for forgiveness of a sin, He forgets it just as if it was moved as far away as the east if from the west. He does NOT remember the transgressions of our youth. He will forever show mercy and lovingkindness to those who know and love Him.
Join me in this prayer today. Focus on the words and truly speak them from your heart.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Psalm 23
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.
We can put our complete trust in the Lord, our Shepherd! He provides security, He calms, He refreshes, and He is always there for us. He provides abundantly for our physical needs as well as His mercy. We will receive eternal blessings from our Lord. What a beautiful image of God, our Shepherd!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Figuring Life Out
What a powerful message reminding us to slow down and savor all God has for us!
Figuring Life Out
I will be on the lookout for the book that this is the advertising for. I think most mothers of young children need to remember to not get so wrapped up in the "necessities" of life and recognize, enjoy, and savor the moments that God has blessed us with.
Fixing His Words on our Children's Hearts
Some good ideas to help not only help Fix God's Words in our children's hearts, but in our own as well.
Fixing His Words on our Children's Hearts
Fixing His Words on our Children's Hearts
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Psalm 20
Psalm 20
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
9 Save, LORD!
May the King answer us when we call.
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
9 Save, LORD!
May the King answer us when we call.
I was reading this Psalm today and got to thinking how this would be a good one to not only pray for myself, but to pray over my husband. If you have never prayed scripture over your husband, I highly suggest it. It is definitely a powerful thing to pray scripture for yourself, your husband, your children, or anyone else for that matter.
When I prayed this over Chad this morning, I replaced all the "you" and "your" with Chad's name. For the first time in a while, I could completely feel the Lord's presence with me in the room. I could feel the power of the Holy Spirit move.
It was also a great reminder to not put our trust in the things of this world (chariots and horses), but in the Almighty power of God. Just His name has more power than anything this world has to offer. He will rise you up and make you stand tall if you just put your faith and trust in Him and seek to do His will!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Passing the Vision to Our Daughers
Kelly Crawford wrote a post over at Raising Homemakers about Passing the Vision on to Our Daughters. It did a great job of reminding me of what God has called me to do and to set a good example for my girls. Being a Keeper at Home is truly a high and noble calling and what God calls us to be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)