Friday, May 30, 2014
Mentoring Woman: Family Memorials
Mentoring Woman: Family Memorials: We just had Memorial Day weekend when we remembered the sacrifice of those who gave their lives and time to protect our freedom. So it ...
Family Memorials
We just had Memorial Day weekend when we remembered the sacrifice of those who gave their lives and time to protect our freedom. So it just seems fitting that I should speak of memorials today.
The dictionary defines a memorial as "something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc. " I can remember (as I have said before) going with Mom and Grandma to the cemeteries and placing flowers on our relatives graves. I always loved this time, because I got to hear the stories about the people who were buried there and the influence they had on my grandmother and mother. As we were riding in the car, the stories would always begin..."remember the time."
The bible also has some things to say about memorials. When the Israelites were led out of Egypt by Moses, God told them in Exodus 12:24-27: "Obey these instructions (for the passover) as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, What does this ceremony mean to you? then tell them, it is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians."
Also in Deuteronomy 11:19,20 God instructs the parents to teach the things they remember when they sit at home, when they walk along the road, when they lie down and when they get up. He even told them to write them on the door frames of their houses and on their gates. In calligraphy no doubt and they didn't even have Pinterest to instruct them on how to do it! Whenever those kids walked outside or came in their front gate they had a constant reminder (memorial) of how God had helped their family in the past. How about in the New Testament when Christ is observing the last supper with his disciples, he says in I Corinthians 11:24 ...whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me." And it still reminds us today, a lasting memorial to be sure!
My mentoring question of the day....are we sharing our memorial stories with our kids and grandchildren? I remember my own children rolling their eyes when I told them for the umpteenth time, the stories about staying with my grandparents and how we are long distant cousins to Abraham Lincoln (by marriage) and Mary, Queen of Scots. It is my one claim to fame for royal blood!
I think this is one of the reasons I enjoy scrap booking so much. It is a great way to build memorials (a preservation) of how God has worked in our family. It also gives the grandchildren a great visual on how we came to be from Missouri and now in Indiana. I have included some pictures from one of my heritage scrapbooks. In this album I also used pressed flowers (picture above) from my garden over 20 years ago and they are still the same color! Hard to believe! My grandmother's brother was in WWI so I wanted to include some of the things pertaining to his time in France. It includes a letter of him describing the cold conditions over there and marching in a parade before Woodrow Wilson. So let the memorial's continue!
Friday, May 23, 2014
Mentoring Woman: You've Got Talent!
Mentoring Woman: You've Got Talent!: I have to admit that I am a big "American Idol" and "Dancing With The Star's" watcher. Perhaps it goes back to my g...
You've Got Talent!
I have to admit that I am a big "American Idol" and "Dancing With The Star's" watcher. Perhaps it goes back to my grade school days when my grandfather paid me $.50 for singing in the fox hunt talent show. Yes, I can still sing "Little Space Girl" at the top of my lungs! I was probably six at the time, but I'm sure I was just adorable as I sang and a bug flew in my throat and sent me into a coughing frenzy. Oh sweet memories!
It just fascinates me to watch how these contestants, who over a matter of weeks, just keep getting better and better as they use their skills and get their nerves under control. That takes talent!
Jesus also talked about another kind of talent in Matthew 25:14-30. In fact it is called "The Parable Of The Talents". He tells the story of a man who went on a journey and entrusted his property to his servants. He gave one servant 5 talents (which was a measurement of money). He gave another servant two and another one. So each servant received just what the master intended them to have. The man with the five talents invests his money and gains five more. The one who had two doubled his also. But the one who received one talent dug a hole and buried his. The first two were commended for their faithfulness in using what the master had entrusted to them. But the one talent man was accused of being wicked and lazy by his master. Sure, he still had what he began with, but he didn't even try to do anything with it and even in his failure begins to blame the master, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man." Jesus says in the parable that the least the one talent man could have done was deposit the money in the bank and made some interest!
Let's face it, the tendency now days is just to do enough to get by. We see it in the workplace and sometimes even carried over into the Christian community. We have our fire insurance policy, bound for heaven, so we consider ourselves good to go! But we miss the mark by not being a servant to others. Remember how Christ showed us that example when He washed the disciples feet? "Whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your servant." (Matt. 20:26, NIV) In fact that is the very thing that Christ talks about at the end of this chapter in Matthew. "The King will reply, I tell you the truth whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me." (Matt. 25:45, NIV) A mentoring thought to spur us on this day...Are we striving to use and increase the talents God has entrusted to each one of us?
Following is a poem I wrote a few years back. For you American Idol watchers, one of the past winners, Taylor Hicks, sang his finale song, "Do I Make Your Proud?" It was written as he was wondering if he made his dad proud. But upon pondering this question, I wondered if I made my Heavenly Father proud? So I wrote this:
It just fascinates me to watch how these contestants, who over a matter of weeks, just keep getting better and better as they use their skills and get their nerves under control. That takes talent!
Jesus also talked about another kind of talent in Matthew 25:14-30. In fact it is called "The Parable Of The Talents". He tells the story of a man who went on a journey and entrusted his property to his servants. He gave one servant 5 talents (which was a measurement of money). He gave another servant two and another one. So each servant received just what the master intended them to have. The man with the five talents invests his money and gains five more. The one who had two doubled his also. But the one who received one talent dug a hole and buried his. The first two were commended for their faithfulness in using what the master had entrusted to them. But the one talent man was accused of being wicked and lazy by his master. Sure, he still had what he began with, but he didn't even try to do anything with it and even in his failure begins to blame the master, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man." Jesus says in the parable that the least the one talent man could have done was deposit the money in the bank and made some interest!
Let's face it, the tendency now days is just to do enough to get by. We see it in the workplace and sometimes even carried over into the Christian community. We have our fire insurance policy, bound for heaven, so we consider ourselves good to go! But we miss the mark by not being a servant to others. Remember how Christ showed us that example when He washed the disciples feet? "Whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your servant." (Matt. 20:26, NIV) In fact that is the very thing that Christ talks about at the end of this chapter in Matthew. "The King will reply, I tell you the truth whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me." (Matt. 25:45, NIV) A mentoring thought to spur us on this day...Are we striving to use and increase the talents God has entrusted to each one of us?
Following is a poem I wrote a few years back. For you American Idol watchers, one of the past winners, Taylor Hicks, sang his finale song, "Do I Make Your Proud?" It was written as he was wondering if he made his dad proud. But upon pondering this question, I wondered if I made my Heavenly Father proud? So I wrote this:
Do I Make You Proud?
Do I make you proud, when I help someone out who is struggling just to hang on?
Do I make you proud, when I stop amid life, and listen above noisy throng?
Do you smile, when I take just a moment or two to talk to You in this rush?
Are you happy whenever I turn to You and we commute in the quiet soft hush?
Are you pleased, when I use my talents and gifts to help brighten someones day?
Do you listen with glee, when I speak a kind word as I send someone on their way?
Do you confirm "Well Done" when I tell our grandchild, that their loved by us and by You?
Do you nod in agreement, when speaking the truth, because it's the right thing to do?
I know, Lord, that you love the humble,and perhaps these thoughts aren't allowed
But my life's biggest goal and what I'm wanting to ask, is a question: "Do I make you proud"?
Friday, May 16, 2014
Mentoring Woman: Here Comes The Bride!
Mentoring Woman: Here Comes The Bride!: I don't know about you, but I am receiving wedding invitations in the mail this month. May and June seem to be the traditional months f...
Here Comes The Bride!
I don't know about you, but I am receiving wedding invitations in the mail this month. May and June seem to be the traditional months for weddings, although ever the rebel, I was married in December. Red roses and green decorated Christmas trees do make a beautiful backdrop for a wedding. "Just sayin!"
Looking back to my early courtship days, I am reminded of several things. Can you tell that I have been reading a lot of historical fiction books with that word "courtship"? My soon-to-be husband was going to electronic school in Iowa which was a three hour drive from our hometown. This of course was before the days of texting and skyping so we were limited only to letters and one phone call a week for communication.. Forty five years ago you had to pay dearly for each minute you spoke on the telephone and with a college budget our conversations were very short! Also heaven forbid I called him, because good girls did not do that! I remember anticipating my groom's call on Sunday afternoon and praying that my brothers and parents had other things to do but to hear my conversation. The call was taken in the living room on our, one and only, olive green wall hung phone. The good news it was a rotary dial and not a crank one, just so you know that I'm not that old! I practically sat on that telephone waiting for the phone to ring on the expected day. Then sure enough the phone would ring and I would be encouraged by hearing his voice for another week.
Visits by him were made every other weekend because after all, gas was a whopping $.39 a gallon! Jeez Louise! On Friday night, I would begin looking at the farm's entrance gate anticipating his arrival and sometimes commanded my post for hours before he got there! My brothers would come by and tease me relentlessly about my watch dog position. But eventually, there he would be, unhooking the gate, and driving his car up the lane to our home. My bridegroom had finally arrived!
Even after all these years I still find myself awaiting another bridegroom to arrive, Jesus Christ Himself, THE BRIDEGROOM. In Revelations 19:6-7, John says: "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready." (NIV)
My mentoring question for us today is this: Are we watching and preparing ourselves for His return? Do we await anxiously for Him to arrive through the gate? Just how do we do that? By keeping our eyes on the prize, by persevering in trials, by reading His word, and making sure we tell others of our Bridegroom's sacrifice for each one of us. If you want to read an interesting parable, Matthew 25:1-13 tells the story of the Ten Virgins and the Bridegroom. Christ ends the story in Matthew 25:13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." John also tells us: "He who testifies to these things says, "Yes I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelations 22:20, NIV) I can't wait! How about you?
Here is a card I designed to send out for one of this month's weddings. The cake embellishments were from a Martha Stewart Collection with a bow added and the words from a vellum book of sayings.
Looking back to my early courtship days, I am reminded of several things. Can you tell that I have been reading a lot of historical fiction books with that word "courtship"? My soon-to-be husband was going to electronic school in Iowa which was a three hour drive from our hometown. This of course was before the days of texting and skyping so we were limited only to letters and one phone call a week for communication.. Forty five years ago you had to pay dearly for each minute you spoke on the telephone and with a college budget our conversations were very short! Also heaven forbid I called him, because good girls did not do that! I remember anticipating my groom's call on Sunday afternoon and praying that my brothers and parents had other things to do but to hear my conversation. The call was taken in the living room on our, one and only, olive green wall hung phone. The good news it was a rotary dial and not a crank one, just so you know that I'm not that old! I practically sat on that telephone waiting for the phone to ring on the expected day. Then sure enough the phone would ring and I would be encouraged by hearing his voice for another week.
Visits by him were made every other weekend because after all, gas was a whopping $.39 a gallon! Jeez Louise! On Friday night, I would begin looking at the farm's entrance gate anticipating his arrival and sometimes commanded my post for hours before he got there! My brothers would come by and tease me relentlessly about my watch dog position. But eventually, there he would be, unhooking the gate, and driving his car up the lane to our home. My bridegroom had finally arrived!
Even after all these years I still find myself awaiting another bridegroom to arrive, Jesus Christ Himself, THE BRIDEGROOM. In Revelations 19:6-7, John says: "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready." (NIV)
My mentoring question for us today is this: Are we watching and preparing ourselves for His return? Do we await anxiously for Him to arrive through the gate? Just how do we do that? By keeping our eyes on the prize, by persevering in trials, by reading His word, and making sure we tell others of our Bridegroom's sacrifice for each one of us. If you want to read an interesting parable, Matthew 25:1-13 tells the story of the Ten Virgins and the Bridegroom. Christ ends the story in Matthew 25:13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." John also tells us: "He who testifies to these things says, "Yes I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelations 22:20, NIV) I can't wait! How about you?
Here is a card I designed to send out for one of this month's weddings. The cake embellishments were from a Martha Stewart Collection with a bow added and the words from a vellum book of sayings.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Mentoring Woman: How Does My Garden Grow?
Mentoring Woman: How Does My Garden Grow?: We just finished planting garden for this year. I should say, my husband tilled and planted most of it , but I supervised so that should co...
How Does My Garden Grow?
We just finished planting garden for this year. I should say, my husband tilled and planted most of it , but I supervised so that should count for something! A few weeks back, I did plant radishes and onions, and if the bunny doesn't get to them, we should have some in a matter of weeks.
It is an amazing thing that these little tiny seeds, that one can barely see, grow into a red crunchy delicious radish. How does my garden grow such things? It is because it has all the elements that it needs to thrive and survive like moisture, dirt, warmth, and of course more importantly a God who orchestrates it all. I cannot take much credit for the radish other than placing the seeds in the soil. Remind you of a biblical principle? How about I Corinthians 3:5-9?
It is an amazing thing that these little tiny seeds, that one can barely see, grow into a red crunchy delicious radish. How does my garden grow such things? It is because it has all the elements that it needs to thrive and survive like moisture, dirt, warmth, and of course more importantly a God who orchestrates it all. I cannot take much credit for the radish other than placing the seeds in the soil. Remind you of a biblical principle? How about I Corinthians 3:5-9?
"For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? Whatafter all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building." (NIV)
We cannot take credit for what God does in someones life for we are just the planters or we do the watering. My mentoring question is this...Are we even planting the seed or watering? For if we aren't, how can expect God's garden to grow?
Another yummy thing I picked from my garden this past weekend, was rhubarb. Here is my favorite recipe for rhubarb pie....hope you get to enjoy some of your own!
RHUBARB PIE
4-6 cups of cut up 1" chunks raw rhubarb
3/4 -1 cup sugar (it is sour you know!)
2 beaten eggs
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup flour
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and place in your favorite pie crust.
Add 2 Tablespoons of butter pats all around the top of the pie
Place top crust on and brush with milk. Then sprinkle with sugar on top.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes then turn down to 350 and bake an additional 30 minutes.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Mentoring Woman: QUEEN FOR A DAY!
Mentoring Woman: QUEEN FOR A DAY!: When I was a kid (back in the Stone Age), there was a television show called "Queen For A Day". People would nominate someone the...
QUEEN FOR A DAY!
When I was a kid (back in the Stone Age), there was a television show called "Queen For A Day". People would nominate someone they thought worthy of receiving this honor. The person had to have given unselfishly to their family or in some way helped others and the winner would receive something like a washer and dryer, a living room set, or some other appropriate gift. The host would also place a robe and crown on the woman and treat them and their family to a vacation or a special night out on the town. I loved the show!
My mother is also being honored this weekend as "Queen For A Day" at the Apple Blossom parade in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was a past queen in 1948 (see picture below)
They had a special coronation ball where she was crowned queen and I think this is where my dad first got eyes for her! This Saturday, they are having some of the past queens ride on a float in the parade. Although I cannot make the trip this time, they did this 10 years ago and I able to see her in all her glory. What fun! She is all excited about wearing her formal, getting her hair done and I am praying the weather is nice so she can enjoy her day. Won't that be great for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to witness? Shh...don't tell her I am sending her a wrist corsage today. She doesn't Internet so I know I can trust you with the secret.
My mother is also being honored this weekend as "Queen For A Day" at the Apple Blossom parade in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was a past queen in 1948 (see picture below)
There is another queen that I love to read about and that is Queen Esther in the Bible. She was more than just "Queen for a Day" she was responsible for saving the whole Jewish nation from destruction. If you have never read the account, I recommend you read it, because it is a fascinating story that only God could orchestrate. One of the great quotes of her story is when her Uncle Mordecai says to her in Esther 4:14: "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (NIV) Here is my mentoring question for today: "Do we ever give thought that perhaps God wants to use us in some special way?" He will accomplish His will one way or another, but sometimes He allows us to go along for the ride! Perhaps we shall never save a whole nation but we can make a difference in our children and grandchildren's lives and that could affect generations and perhaps nations to come! That is an awesome thought isn't it?
Back to my mom, since it is so close to Mother's Day I would like to honor her with a big thank you. She gave beyond the call of duty to we 5 kids. Some of you know that I had polio as a child and my mother spurred me on to try and accomplish anything I set my mind to. So mom, you will not only be "Queen For A Day" this Saturday, you are the queen of my life everyday and I'm sending my love to you across the miles. Following is a picture of the card I designed for her. Can you tell that lavender and flowers are her favorite?
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