Doing the Ordinary Well

I spent some time this week thinking on a devotion published on Jan 8 in Our Daily Bread. The devotion talks about the hidden life, one filled with ordinary deeds and simple forms of human helpfulness.  Today, many believers want to do the BIG things for God: go on a mission's trip, raise money, write books, become influential in Christian realms, but throughout history, most believers will spend their lifetime doing the ordinary things: caring for their families, praying for those with needs, and listening to their hurting friends. The Lord needs a lot more "ordinary" opportunities well-met in His name, than He does the BIG, seen-by-the-world opportunities.

"Every act of love rendered for His sake is noted and has eternal consequences. Every place, no matter how small, is holy ground. Influence is more than lofty acts and words. It can be a simple matter of human helpfulness: being present, listening, understanding the need, loving and praying."

As I read that quote, I thought, "Yes, these things are so valuable!" Then I wondered why there was such a hunger for these things today and I believe in part, it's because we're too busy to actually do them often or well. 

Being present, listening, understanding the need, loving and praying.

How I would love to be able to do those things better this year. It will take intention, a slowing down, and a change of focus from myself and what I think it "more important" to truly putting others first.

The devotion concluded with "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus," and "do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance." (Col 3:17, 23-24)

How I would love for my family and friends to be able to say I was present, I listened, I understood, I loved and I prayed.

Walk Humbly With Our God

I am reading Exodus in my personal devotions and today I read chapters 32 & 33.  These two chapters have contrasting stories. In chapter 32 we see Moses on the mountain and the Israelites, with Aaron, at the foot of the mountain making a golden calf to worship.  God is ready to annihilate them, but Moses begs for their survival even before he gets down there to see it for himself.  In verse 24 we find Aaron blaming the people and I have to chuckle when he says, "and I cast it (the gold)  into the fire, and this calf came out."  It just popped out! Ha!  It reminds me of "she gave me the fruit and I ate it!" From Adam to Aaron to Angie, sin is still sin and God is not pleased with it. Many Israelites died because they chose to make a false god to worship. That was a sobering thought and made me ponder at this New Year what "little-g gods" I need to remove from my life?

Chapter 33 is a different story. There's still some problems. God can't dwell in the presence of a stiff-necked people so he's decided to meet Moses in a tent outside the camp.  Moses again begs God to return to dwelling in their midst so that the people will know that Moses has found grace in the sight of God.  I love verse 17, "So the Lord said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in my sight, and I know you by name." Time has been spent together.  By the way, back in chapter 32 Moses said he was willing to be blotted out of the Book of Life in place of the people - a different picture than Aaron.

Moses then asks (33:18), "Please, show me your glory."  From there God places Moses in the cleft of the rock, covers him with His hand and walks by, allowing Moses to see God's back, for that is all Moses can behold with dying. 

I just sat back and thought, "Am I trying to worship anything more that God? Am I satisfied in His dwelling with me, that I've gotten complacent and can be drawn away by something false or am I asking to see more of God in my life? These are some good thoughts, I think, for the start of a new year.

My prayer for all of us is that we will walk humbly and faithfully with our God and that we will see more of Him this year.

Free Kindle Version of Beth Moore books

Some free Kindle versions of Beth Moore books here.

Books Read in 2013 & Give-Away

Winner of the book: Conny!

For the past 2 years I've kept a record of the books I've read right here on my blog. You can see what I've read anytime by clicking on the pages under the blog title.

In 2013 I read 26 books, one more than I read in 2012!

I used to say that I prefer non-fiction over fiction, and while I think that is generally true, my reading logs do not bear that out.  I've found a few fiction series that I enjoy, so that's added to the numbers and kept me going.

An overview: At times, I enjoy Debbie Macomber books. They are light romance. Any books after 2000, about the time she became a Christian, are cleaner than her previous works.

I absolutely love Jennifer Chiaverini books which follow a quilting guild through many adventures and life events. They feel like family.

My son turned me onto a youth fiction selection by L.A. Meyer entitled the Bloody Jack series.  I am surprised I enjoy it so much, but the main character has so much pluck I just can't resist. It's about a British orphan girl who finds herself in the British Royal Navy at the turn of the 19th century. From there she has many adventures. It is definitely for teenagers, not pre-teens. 

Did you read any good books in 2013? I'd love to get your recommendations!

I made an enjoyment scale to aid in recommending books and to know which ones were keepers to read again.  Feel free to borrow the scale if you wish.

Here's 2013's list. I will be combining 2012/13 this coming week under one page and starting 2014's page, but wanted to share my wrap up for 2013 first.

Enjoyment Scale:
1=trash. Didn't finish it for whatever reason. Would not recommend.

2=ok. Nothing exciting; probably wouldn't recommend.

3=enjoyable. It was a decent read to pass the time. Might recommend.

4=good. I thought the book was worth the time and I would recommend it.

5=loved! I would buy this book to read again. A must-read recommendation!

January

Morning Comes Softly by Debbie Macomber (2 1/2)

The Wedding Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini (4 1/2)
  *my second favorite Elm Creek Novel. Excellent story-telling!

February

Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini (4)

The Lover's Knot by Clare O'Donohue (3)

March

A Drunkard's Path by Clare O'Donohue (4)

Thursdays at Eight by Debbie Macomber (2)

The Double Cross by Clare O'Donohue (3)

April

The Devil's Puzzle by Clare O'Donohue (4)

Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy (4 1/2)

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon (4)

A Stitch In Time by Ann Rinaldi (3)

Broken Days by Ann Rinaldi (2 1/2)

May

Brides for Brothers by Debbie Macomber (3 1/2)

The Marriage Risk by Debbie Macomber (3)

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo (5)

Orchard Valley Grooms by Debbie Macomber (4)
*want to read Orchard Valley Brides!

The Giving Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini (2)

July

I Left My Heart by Debbie Macomber (4)

The Shared Wisdom of Mothers and Daughters by Alexandra Stoddard (3)

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (5)
* definitely a keeper for the home library.

November

Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer (4)

December 


Curse of the Blue Tatoo by L.A. Meyer (4)

Under the Jolly Roger by L.A. Meyer (4)

In the Belly of the Bloodhound by L.A. Meyer (4)

Mississippi Jack by L.A. Meyer (4)

My Bonny Light Horseman by L.A. Meyer (4+)

26 in all! (one more than last year!)

Since Downton Abbey begins again in America this week, I thought I would give away one of my 2013 books, Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey. It's about the Carnarvon family who still live in Highclere Castle, the set for Downton Abbey. You'll find similarities to their life story and the Grantham/Crawley family. It's a fun read!

Please, leave a comment with at least one book recommendation (you can leave more!), and I will choose the winner for Lady Almina... from them on Sunday, January 5th at 9pm. One comment per person.

Handy Calorie-Counting Charts

(pic and great advice from here.)

Better Homes and Gardens sent me an email that included some handy calorie-counting charts. I especially like the 200 Snacks Less that 100 Calories since I often get bored with the same thing.

Here's the link: BHG Calorie-Counting Charts

Just in case you have calorie-counting on your mind for 2014!

Questions for Reflection

This is the third year I've spent a little time reflecting on the year that is about to end.  In 2011 I found the following questions (sorry, I can't find the original source) and answered them. I wondered if it would be a task that would have any meaning, but in December 2012, I pulled out the questions again and found myself comparing answers. Did I really change in any way?  I also enjoyed reminiscing about the BIG memories of both years. 

So again, today, I pulled out the questions and started writing my answers.  I didn't look back at what I had written earlier so my answers would be "fresh," but I have to admit, once I finished I began comparing all three years at once and I started to see a progression of improvement. Basically speaking, I saw how the Lord was tidying up those rough edges and how He doesn't miss any details. 

The questions of reflection will probably be with me now to the end of my life and I hope that my children will enjoy the encapsulated version of my years after I'm gone. It would be better than reading my journal, that's for sure!

I only answer 18 out of 20 questions that I originally ran across. You can see the full 20 questions here. (I leave out # 6 & 7 on their list.)

Questions for Reflection  in the New Year

1) What was the single best thing that happened this year?

2) What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

3) What was an unexpected joy this past year?

4) What was an unexpected obstacle?

5) Pick 3 words to describe this past year.

6) What were the best books you read this year?

7) With whom were your most valuable relationships?

8) What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

9) In what ways did you grow emotionally?

10) In what ways did you grow spiritually?

11) In what ways did you grow physically?

12) In what ways did you grow in your relationship with others?

13) What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

14) What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

15) What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

16) What was the best way you used your time this year?

17) What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?

18) Create a phrase or statement that describes this past year for you.

Refinished Rocker

At work/church one Sunday some friends and I got talking about refinishing furniture and I mentioned how much I've enjoyed finishing a couple small tables of my own.

The next Sunday they brought in an antique rocking chair that had been in their family for over 100 years and asked if I would refinish it for them. 

(pic taken in the church parking lot)

I said I'd take on the task if my Dad would help me with the project. He agreed so we took a couple of weeks and cleaned it up!

The chair turned out pretty well and we enjoyed working on it together. My friends were pleased with the outcome and will, hopefully, enjoy it for many years to come.

*a sweet side note, I hid the chair in one of our unused nursery rooms when returning it right before the owner's birthday. After the "reveal" she sat in the chair and nursed her infant daughter and said she imagined her grandmother and mother doing the same thing in the chair down through the years. You could tell it meant a lot - so much so that she didn't even wait to get it home!

Thanksgiving Crafts

We've gotten a little crafty around here lately!

In our Home Ec class we made turkey pins.

(my variation on Paper Turkey Pins found at FamilyFun mag)

Instead of cereal boxes, we used magazine pages backed with a piece of card stock.

We also made turkey cookies in class.

Pillsbury Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies are a yummy way to celebrate and give thanks!

This morning we thought we get one more treat in before the big day, 

Pilgrim Hat Cookies.

You'll find different variations floating around Pinterest and the web, 

but we bought cookies that had a fancy scalloped edge 

and used other ingredients we had on hand. 

They are easy and delicious!

Taste of Home has a great recipe you can follow.

What Should I Read Next!

A friend suggested I check out www.whatshouldireadnext.com.

Let me say, "It's AWESOME!"

Type in a title or author and you will get recommendations from other readers of books to try next.

Click on the Info/Buy button and it takes you to Amazon so you can check out the selection there.

You can build your own book list and share recommendations by registering with your email.

What apps or sites do you use to find new books to read?

Such a happy distraction! Enjoy.

Two Songs For You

A few weeks ago I was driving in my husband's truck and listening to Satellite Radio. That evening I was listening to THE MESSAGE channel and Natalie Grant was debuting her new CD, Hurricane. During the broadcast Natalie shared the stories behind each song with a small live audience. There were some very poignant moments and I found myself reaching for tissues a couple of times.  At the stoplights I also reached for my pen and notepad to jot down the titles of songs I wanted to purchase on iTunes so I could listen to them again and again.

While I like the song, Whisper, I truly liked what Natalie had to say about it.

The jist of what she said was so very often we want God to thump us over the head with what He has to say to us - if His words came like lightening, it would be so much easier to know His mind.

But He doesn't do that.

Why?

Because God is too close to yell.

He has to whisper.

That thought made me want to pull over and just listen right then and there.

It's so true. We want the message on the loud speaker. 

We're busy. 

We want it to be easy.

But the Lord wants to sit with us and He wants us to quietly listen.

My newest favorite song is When I Leave the Room. 

Natalie wanted to write a song for her little girls, but she said she wanted to write only ONE really good one. She worked at it for months and nothing seemed right. She was touring with Nichole Nordeman and had her family along. Nichole understood Natalie's heart and after the tour ended Nichole called and said, "I think I have something for you." She sent the lyrics to this song. Natalie and her husband, Bernie Herms, put the lyrics to a haunting tune that will tug at your heart. You may want to reach for the tissues before listening! It's the new Butterfly Kisses, I think.

I found my notes from the ride and have made my purchases. If you're interested in reading more about the album, you can read about it at nataliegrant.com

I hope you enjoy.