A Good Message

Just listened to this. (We're home from church today as Mom wasn't feeling the best, and Annie had a not-so-good night.)

The Centrality of the Home in Evangelism and Discipleship of the Next Generation, by Voddie Baucham. It's very good and to the point. It isn't the most comprehensive of all the issues, but it touched me, and I hope it will do the same for you, as well. It's what I've basically heard and believed before, but he speaks with such passion that it made me feel ashamed of my own halfheartedness. I know some in the youth groups who are very well-intentioned, and I do want to be careful not to ungraciously bash people who disagree with me, but...listen for yourself and see what you think.

Diligence

Some convicting/inspiring quotes in one of the areas in which I struggle...

He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
- Proverbs 12:11

The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
-Proverbs 12:24

The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man's precious possession.
- Proverbs 12:27

The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
- Proverbs 13:4

The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.
- Proverbs 15:19

But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
- Hebrews 6:9-12

Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.
- George Washington Carver

Poll

If you haven't already, please vote in my poll on the sidebar, about how many siblings you have. :) Voting ends in 11 days.

Outside This Invention

Why is it we so often think
There's fulfillment on this screen?
Friends, indeed, are fun to follow,
Blogs and photos to be seen.

But there's a world of difference
When we take a step back and forget
To remember checking facebook walls,
And simply stop and learn not to fret.

Useful tools can also be instruments of pain...
Though we think we know which is which,
We can blur the lines and think our loss is gain,
And sometimes our minds turn off the switch.

So much lies outside this invention...
Trees and birds and piano beaming,
Laughter, hugs, and intervention,
Passages sweet and full of meaning.

Even the mundane tasks once dreaded
Can become sweet and refreshing,
Bring us closer to where we're headed,
And to others be a blessing.

Let us not forget Who gives each hour,
Each hope and strength and love,
Each counter-top to scour--
Each gift is from above.

-Melissa M.
8-12-10

Jane Austen Tour Blog Contest

Here is my entry for the contest. Just in time! I wasn't planning to enter at first, but I had fun painting this today with watercolors. It shows up a little grainier than in real life, as I had to take a photograph of it. Click for larger image.

And here's a shot of the painting as it was in progress, and the two pictures I based it on:

I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

’Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of ***
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“’Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

-John Newton

A Morning's Delight

A caterpillar I saw last month

I decided to go outside to read my Bible this morning. No early riser today, but the temperature was still only 80, which is much better than the later, predicted 94.

So there I sat 'neath our porch in the shade, my feet propped up on our little green stool, a glass of ice water on the table next to me, and the Bible on my lap.

All around me the birds were singing--various songs both short and long, mourning dove and cardinal. I could almost imagine myself in a rain forest, under a deep canopy of green. (There are some trees overhanging our back yard.) I spotted the cardinal, a perched dab of scarlet in the branches, warbling away. Yesterday I had been inside in Mom's room, and a blue jay had smashed against the large window. Then he'd sat, tilting his head to and fro, looking up at me as if to say, "Who are you, and why can't I come in?"

And now, here was a blue jay's feather among the pebbles. Feathers are amazing things, but that's another topic that could fill a book.

As I sat, looking about, I noticed the leaves, which had fallen across the walkway and amid the flowers. Why do people think of dead leaves as ugly things to be discarded? They almost looked like rose petals strewn there. Oh, yes, I know dead leaves are not meant to last, but for now I smiled at their random cacophony, with their various shades of green and brown and yellow. Is it summer or autumn?

And then I saw one little leaf spinning wildly on its stem, hanging from a branch. Soon to fall, no doubt, but hanging on and having a merry-go-round ride.

Yes, I eventually read my Bible, but it was a delight to pause for a few minutes and admire the handiwork of the Author of that Book. . . . I try to see with fresh eyes the beauty of it all, whether it be our same old back yard, or a rock cliff at a National park. Jehovah made everything, and made it well.

Blue jay feather

Our walkway strewn with leaves

Giveaway

Here is a giveaway you might enjoy. She is giving away four prizes: a feminine night-light, an e-pattern from Sense & Sensibility, a pattern and fabric from Marie Madeline Studios, and some earrings.

The Baby Conference

ave you ever felt burdened by not knowing how to handle children, or not knowing if you really even wanted any? I have. God has been changing my heart, and this past week only strengthened my resolve to love children, regardless of how hard it may be, how badly I fail, or how foolish I look in the process. And it strengthened and armed me with some ideas on how to enjoy and teach children and encouraged me to trust in God. I also learned other things in regard to the glory and intricacies of God's handiwork in very tiny babies before they are born.

What was this event that brought about these results, by God's grace? The Baby Conference, which was held in San Antonio. Learn more about it here.

There were testimonies of God's amazing grace, there were friends, there was for me a new experience of volunteering, helping usher people in. I don't know that I did it well, but it was helpful to me.

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” - Genesis 1:28

I believe this command (similarly repeated in the Bible several times) applies today. As my brother pointed out, the earth is far from full, yet.

There's more I could say about this, but I don't believe it's my jurisdiction to teach on such things, especially publicly, nor would I do as good a job as the people of Vision Forum. So...please check out the site I linked to, and if you're able, buy the audio (or here for mp3)! I'm sure you will be blessed!

Meeting Mrs. Verret, Lacie, and Laura for the first time in person. :)

Enjoying the fabulous talk by the Botkin family

A Visit from Family

henever we get to see family it is a special blessing. And this was no exception.

My brother, Joel, his wife, Charity, and her sisters Harmony and Autumn got to spend the weekend with us a couple weeks ago, and I'm still missing their vibrant company.

We did quite a bit of talking about subjects both deep and light, looked at old photos, sang and played the piano, ate at Macaroni Grill and colored most of the paper tablecloth (I wouldn't have thought of that, but it was fun), went to a bass pro store (Outdoor World), watched a movie, had fun with nieces and nephew, visited the Alamo and Riverwalk, and enjoyed church and fellowship.

Here are a few photos from their visit.

Joel and Charity