Verse of the Day

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

Psalm 119:89

Cute Hair Things

I thought these were neat projects for hair accessories at Sew, Mama, Sew! blog.

Dedicated Daughters

I just wanted to clue my readers in to a great series by Anna S. at Domestic Felicity. It is called Dedicated Daughters and is a uplifting encouragement for daughters desiring to serve at home even when their family is not sympathetic. Here is just a snippit:

And I can tell you something: there is hope, no matter what your current situation is. Whether you are fifteen or thirty-five, at home or far away in college, working outside the home or not, courted by a godly man or without any perspective of marriage right now – it is still in your hands to be strengthened and live out your convictions.

You can read it in my shared items or at her blog.

A Wonderful Thanksgiving

Wow, what a wonderful Thanksgiving I had! This year we invited all the people at our church that didn't have anywhere to go to spend Thanksgiving with us. We had 15 people in our dining room yesterday, laughing and fellowshipping (oh, did I mention feasting?). After our meal we gathered (or should I say crowded) into the living room and sang a few hymns and read the two accounts of the first Thanksgiving by Edward Winslow and William Bradford. We also sang Psalm 100 as the Seperatist had it.

Truly we have sooooooooooooooooo much to be thankful for. God is SO GOOD! Time and time again He blesses this little wretch and I only wish I was more grateful to Him.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

May the Lord be with you and yours!

Verse of the Day

Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be THANKFUL unto Him, and BLESS His name.

Psalm 100:3-4

Feminism Gave Woman the Right to Vote

First off, we must ask: is giving woman the right to vote a good thing? I see that it has led to woman holding office, and politicians pleading the side of emotions more than common sense. But, just because I don't like what I see doesn't make it unbiblical. Scriptures do not speak directly about voting but they do speak about authority and decision making.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

1Ti 2:12 -15

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Gen 2:18

In the above scriptures we see that the man is the authority for two reasons: one, God created him first, and two, the woman was deceived. If Paul went back to the beginning you can not say that this teaching was cultural. God has set up the line of authority from the beginning, even before the fall. So when it comes to voting, if the head of the family (the husband, father, brother, nephew) is to make the decisions in the family, shouldn't he also make the decisions in the government that affect all of the family? And if women are more easily deceived should they be trying to choose from among a bunch of politicians that very tempted to lie to get into office? From my own experience, and it is common knowledge, that women act more emotionally and men more intellectually. That is not to say women are completely emotion driven or men completely mind driven; it is just woman tend more to emotion and men more to mind. In the God given roles this works perfectly, the woman acts as caregiver and helper, and the man as breadwinner and leader. But when we reverse these roles we get very mushy minded men and emotion driven politics.

Also we should understand that voting is not a right, it is a privilege given to those that pay into it. Before women entered the work force they did not pay taxes. In the beginning of our nation only land owners payed taxes therefore they had the privilege to vote whether they were male, or female. If the government is directing the tax money then should not those who pay taxes vote for who will direct it?

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?

Matthew 20:15

In the Old Testament we see that government and decisions were run by men, able men.

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

Exodus 18:21

Many times the government was led by the patriarchy, the older men that were the heads of families and tribes.(Exodus 3:18, 17:5 Numbers 11:16 2Samuel 5:3 and others, just do a word search on the word "elders" to see what role they played.)

In Scriptures it is clear that the man is the head of the family, therefore he is held responsible before God for decisions and leading, we as woman can rest in that thought. Voting is an awesome responsibility that weighs much on the one that bears it. Let the men sort through all the politicians and lies and let us joyfully submit to our own heads as it is fit in the Lord.

The Heart of Feminism

I have noticed on other blogs that the mention of feminism in the negative usually brings up many questions and objections by some of our sisters in the Lord. I would like to address some of the objection by addressing what I believe to be the heart of feminism.

A good definition of the heart of feminism is: the breaking down of Biblical roles and order in the church, family, and civil government. Now there are many motives for doing this, some rooted in goodwill perhaps, others in sin and control. But whatever your motive is in being a feminist if it does the above, as I have defined, it is unChrist-like and antibiblical.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Christ, as being one with the Father, has given us His word through the Holy Scriptures, and it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the [woman] of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16,17, italics added). Therefore as we, who are bought with the precious blood of Christ, seek by His Spirit to bring into"captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5) we must use the Bible as our rule of life, guiding us in all we do and say– including how we run the home, the church , and our civil government.

Now it is clear in scriptures that a Biblical marriage means that the man is to be the loving head even as Christ is the head of the church, and the woman is to submit and obey him in love even as the Church is to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33, I Timothy 2:11-13, Titus 2:4-5, and others). Feminism says that men and woman are the same in their roles and the woman can be the head with the man, that the man can follow his wife and help her in her goals and purposes. But this denies the Scriptures and mars the beautiful picture that marriage is suppose to portray of Christ and His Church. What folly it would be to think of Christ submitting to the Church or following her goals and visions. Or to think of Christ and the Church each seeking their own goals and only meeting for communion together. Yet this is the way so many marriages, even Christian marriages, are run. I am not saying that the Bible says that the man is perfect or even less evil than the woman and that is why he portrays Christ, Adam and Eve both fell in Eden by their individual sin, but the Bible calls us as imperfect human beings to picture the perfect picture of Christ and the Church. And it is only by leaning on His Spirit and keeping His commandments that we can attempt to do that.

I urge you to search the Scriptures to find the proper way to run a home; don’t listen to what our culture is saying or what the flesh desires. Make the Bible your only rule of life.

I hope to later put to rest the objections of what good feminism has brought. If you have any objections to the way I have interpreted these scriptures I would like to hear your interpretation, according to scripture, concerning the roles of men and woman.

New Things

I would like to introduce you to some of my new things on the side bar. I have found all sorts of things to use to promote books I enjoy and good websites and blogs.

My new shared items list is my favorite. Google offers this wonderful service called "Reader" that keeps track of all my favorite blogs and reading websites. It also has this great feature that allows you to share articles and posts that you find interesting on your blog. I encourage you to check out those links.

Another thing is my store. Amazon has allowed me to make up lists and a store to promote my favorite books, and items. All of the books I own and highly recommend. Amazon is typically the cheapest but you my be able to find it cheaper else where. I could just give you a list of my favorite books but now I can give you a picture and a description.

I am now a Vision Forum affiliate! They just opened up this new program to allow bloggers, like me, and webmasters to earn money by doing what I already do, promoting their products. You can also do this by clicking the link above. There are few, if any, of their books and resources that I would not highly recommend. Also be sure to check them after Christmas and before New Year as they usually have a great sale of 30% to 60% off.

I have also joined a few web rings. I am sort of new to the whole web ring business but I hope it will bring more readers. You can check out other websites on the rings, they are pretty safe but some might be a bit strange. I know LAF is on the Proverbs 31 one.

I am afraid I have been too busy making my side bar here lately and haven't been blogging enough. Please forgive me. I think it is done for now and I hope to post more of my own writing.

The Lord be with you.

Verse of the Day

Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

Psalm 119:68

Verse of the Day

Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee GREAT and MIGHTY things, which thou knowest not.

Jeremiah 33:2-3

Verse of the Day

And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That He might seek a godly seed.

Malachi 2:15

What You Do

I just got my copy of Passionate Housewives and have begun reading it. Yesterday I found this quote in the third chapter and wanted to share it with you.

What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as and sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the work and faith from which the obedience and the work flow.
--Martin Luther

This quote is Scriptural in its meaning. Not that some how we in the flesh are well-pleasing to God but we lean on Christ in faith and His work in us is well-pleasing to the Father.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

2Co 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Act 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being;

Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

May God bless you as you serve Him in your sacred calling.

Verse of the Day

For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing ALOUD upon their beds.

Psalm 149:4,5

Verse of the Day

Blessing, and glory, and WISDOM, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelations 7:12

To Be Like Thee

Oh Jesus Christ, in self-despair
I come to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer
Laid at Thy feet; I leave it there --
To be like Thee!

Turn out the darling bosom sin,
The love of self that rules within,
My earnest longing let me win --
To be like Thee!

O let me see Thy lovely face,
O let me hear Thy words of grace,
In Thine own image grow apace --
To be like Thee!

O Gentle, Sinless, Undefiled,
Ev'n in Thy Justice meek and mild,
Help me, Thy loving, longing child --
To be like Thee

--Elizabeth Prentiss

Verse of the Day

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3

Hot Cocoa Mix

1 c. dry milk powder
1c. powdered creamer
1c. sugar
1/2 c. cocoa powder

Blend all together and store in air tight container. To make pour 6 oz hot water over 1/4 c. mix.

Nothing like a cup of hot cocoa on a cold morning, mmmm....
You can add a little more cocoa for a more chocolately taste.

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

Crust:
1-9" pie crust OR
1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. quick oats
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. butter or lard

Cut together with a pastry blender and press into 8-9" pie plate. Set aside.

Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese
1-14 1/2 oz. can of pumpkin
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. real maple syrup
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. cocoa
1/4 t. nutmeg
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. ground cloves
2 T. milk
whipped topping

Preheat oven to 400F.

Blend all ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth.
Pour into pie plate and bake for 30-35 minutes. Garnish with whipped topping.
10-12 servings

I made this pie for my family last week. It received a five star rating. Best eaten in small portions, it is rich.

The Abiding Joy

When it is suggested that we cannot (some even say, must not) expect to be always joyful, remember that it is written, "Rejoice in the Lord {not, 'sometimes', but} alway." "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." When we are told that it would not even be good for us, remember that it is written again, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Perhaps in that word "of " lies the whole secret of lasting joy, for it is more than even joy in the Lord; it is his own joy flowing into the soul that is joined to himself which alone can remain in us, not even our joy in him. "That they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves." Let us, then, seek not the stream but the fountain;
not primarily the joy but that real and living union with Jesus by which his joy
becomes ours.

I found the above quote in Frances R. Havergal's devotional Royal Bounty.