What do you do to enrich your times alone with the Lord?Are they quiet? Do you have enough time? Are you structured? Spontaneous? Do you follow a book that leads you through Bible study with guided questions? Do you meet with someone periodically for accountability?I'm asking because I'm collecting ideas for Quiet Times and Bible study.So far, here are some things I've … [Read more...]
Somewhere in the World
The Boy came up to me just minutes ago and said, "I'm going to start praying about the girl I'm supposed to marry. My future wife. I'm going to start praying now for her, so that I'll know her when I see her." I affirmed his plan. "I think that's a great idea. That's exactly the thing to do. If you start praying now, when you're young, you'll have prayed about her all … [Read more...]
Love Those Lentils
Years ago, my sister-in-law told me about a cookbook called More-with-Less Cookbook (suggestions by Mennonites on how to eat better and consume less of the world's limited food resources) by Doris Janzen Longacre The copyright dates back to 1976 and has been renewed, renewed and renewed. Mine leads up to the 43rd printing in 1996. "There is a way of wasting less, … [Read more...]
How the Cuckoo Found its Voice – Resurrecting Forgotten Talents
At a friend's house, I took note of a beautiful cuckoo clock hanging on their family room wall. "I grew up in a home with a cuckoo clock," the host explained, "and I wanted my kids to enjoy one, too." I looked at my husband. He looked at me. "Do we still have it?" he asked. "We sure do," I answered. Take Time to Warm Up to Old … [Read more...]
An Oasis in our Fast-Paced Lives
Ken Gire, in his book The Reflective Life, described the plentiful options we have before us to fill our plates, our days (I'm adding a few and updating to reflect opportunities present in 2007): Vehicles to transport us wherever we want, even off-road, with audio technology and reading material--iPods, books on CD, podcasts--to keep the ride from getting … [Read more...]
10 Simple Ways to Class Up One’s Act (a notch)
You may have concluded at some point that I'm not exactly a style guru. If so, you are correct. Just ask the friend who does my hair—she's thrilled if I agree to something other than a blunt trim straight across. I often forget to wear makeup, even though my face would certainly benefit from daily attention and improvements. And then of … [Read more...]
Psalter/Proverb Devotional Reading Plan
Many years ago I saw an article explaining how Billy Graham read through both the book of Psalms and the book of Proverbs each month. He read one chapter in Proverbs per day—Proverbs 1 on the 1st day of the month and so on through the 31st. I guess he'd read several on the 28th of February to make it to the end (certainly wouldn't want to neglect … [Read more...]
Wonder and Whirligigs
It's Mother's Day. A day when I've been known to receive a fistful of daisies wilted dandelions or even dried up whirligig seed pods from a maple tree. Gifts of love clutched in a sweaty preschooler's hand and delivered with love. Tuck the collection into a vase. Position it front and center on the table. Don't compare with other moms … [Read more...]
Castile Soap for a Simpler Life (and blemish-free face)
One, simple idea. One bottle. One product to suggest: Castile soap, a product is made with vegetables and herbal oils. The one I use (Updated 2012: I originally used Trader Joe's Pure Peppermint Castile Soap in liquid form, but several years ago switched to Dr. Bronner's, which I love except for all the strange messaging printed on the bottle) adds a touch of Aloe Vera … [Read more...]
Crepes? Mais, Oui!
Every other week or so I make crepes. My family goes nuts. You'd think I told them we were going to shovel sugar straight from the sugar bowl into our mouths. Of course, that's not too far off reality. Crepes (once filled) are sweet. Crepes are also fattening. Crepes are delicious. In fact, when I'm feeling unappreciated, I simply pull out the eggs and announce a … [Read more...]
Let It Snow; Let Us Slow
[IMPORTANT UPDATE: For step-by-step instructions with photos on how to fix overnight crockpot oatmeal using the double-boiler/bain-marie method, please click to the how-to post I created exclusively about that (if you read this post, and you're welcome to, you will first read a long story--a pleasant one that you might enjoy--before arriving at the crockpot … [Read more...]
Make Room for the Universe
My friend John described a wilderness hiking trip he took with his son. "No pop-up campers out there, eh?" I asked. "Only what we could carry on our backs. We even slept under the stars." "No tent?" "Nope." I must have shuddered or made a face, because John grinned and tried to convince me of the beauty of backwoods camping. "It's … [Read more...]
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