Wearied and Faint in Your Minds

From my tea time with God...

I feel tired. Weary. 


I know who I am. In Christ I am strong. I have power. 


But my flesh is faint.


The words come to my mind: "wearied and faint..." What was the next part? "...in your minds."


My mind is part of my flesh, my body that has not yet been redeemed. It does not agree with my [redeemed] spirit unless I choose to align my it with the Truth that resides in my spirit. 


"...lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."


What am I to do in order not to become weary and faint in my mind?


I go back to the beginning of the verse: "For consider HIM..." Jesus.


For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:3


He was sinless, perfect. Never had He known pain or worry. Yet he choose to endure it for our sake--the sinners. 


Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Hebrews 12:4


I sing a song in church at times, but I can hardly sing it without tears:


Compared to Calvary my cross is not so heavy,
Compared to Calvary my load's not hard to bear;
And it makes me ashamed that I ever complained,
I've had it easy, Lord, compared to Calvary!
Squire Parsons


His Word tells us to "consider Him" so that we don't REMAIN emotionally weary and faint. 


We live in this body of flesh; we WILL become weary and faint. That's a given. 


But what will we do when we get there? Wallow in it? Or consider Him?


Knowing Him more intimately is the greatest remedy for weariness there is!


Lord, I want to know You more,
Deep within my soul I want to know You;
O I want to know You!
To feel Your heart and know Your mind,
Looking in Your eyes stirs up within me,
Cries that say I want to know You!
O I want to know You more!
Steve Fry

His Ways Past Finding Out

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! ~ Romans 11:33


Here's what I read this morning by Oswald Chambers:

We have no conception of what God is aiming at, and as we go on it gets more and more vague. God's aim looks like missing the mark because we are too short sighted to see what He is aiming at. Naturally, our ambitions are our own; in the Christian life we have no aim of our own. There is so much said today about our decisions for Christ, our determination to be Christians, our decisions for this and that, but in the New Testament it is the aspect of God's compelling that is brought out. "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you." We are not taken up into conscious agreement with God's purpose, we are taken up into God's purpose without any consciousness at all.

God's purpose has been on my mind a lot lately. I have been praying for certain people in my life for what feels like quite some time. And it seems like God just isn't moving. You know what I mean? Nothing is happening. At least from my point of view. (I already know that God wants them to walk with Him, but they are choosing not to, and He has given them that free will.)

At times I start to feel, "What good are my prayers when they have a free will to do whatever they want anyway?" And on the other side, "If God is sovereign, then what good is it to pray earnestly for these people?"

Of course, Jesus taught us to pray and not to faint (Luke 18:1). Paul taught us to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). And "God is not unrighteous to forget [my] work and labour of love..." (Hebrews 6:10).

I have a long way to go in understanding the doctrines of predestination, foreknowledge, and sovereignty, but I do know that God wants me to pray. I don't know God's purpose. I don't always see where He is working in someone's life. And I don't always see what He is doing in my own life through learning patience in prayer! But I can be sure, He is good and up to something good! And He will work all  things together for good (Romans 8:28). Why? To conform me to the image of His Son Jesus (Romans 8:29)!

There was a rough period in my life when my mom would often start singing this song to encourage me:

Though you cannot see and you can't quite understand,

Remember God is still in control;

He has promised to bring you through somehow,

And He's working even now!

God is working, He's still working,

God is working even now;

Though we often don't know just how,

God is working, He's still working,

God is working even now.

Carol Cymbala, sung by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego come to mind. In Daniel 3:17-18, they answered King Nebuchadnezzar, who had threatened to throw them into the fiery furnace:

"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. BUT IF NOT..."

What if we took this attitude toward prayer?

I am asking for certain things, God, and I believe You are able and willing to ________. BUT IF NOT, (if You don't choose to allow it to happen the way I would like), I will still love, live for, walk with You, and trust in You, because You are sovereign and You are good.

Bread Alternative

I just tried this and it's good... albeit different. It's from my Yeast Connection Cookbook.

Yeast-free, Egg-free Buckwheat Cakes/Flatbread

1 C buckwheat flour

1 tsp sea salt (optional)

(I added a pinch of fructose... optional.)

1 to 1 1/2 C water (or more if needed to make batter thinner)

1 Tb oil

Make on griddle as pancakes on medium heat. (Don't forget to oil the griddle/fry pan.) These cook very quickly because they are very flat and thin. Flip each when bubble-holes form.

Use as bread for sandwiches for brown-bagging, or serve for breakfast with fresh fruit and yogurt on top... maybe even with maple syrup or honey!

Use wherever you would use bread.

I made an open-face sandwich snack with deli chicken (Naturals brand--no preservatives) and brown mustard on one buckwheat cake. Delicious!

P.S. I stored them between wax paper (saved from cereal boxes!) in a pita bread bag I already had. :)

I Can Trust Jesus

God picked up a sparrow that could no longer fly,
He brushed off its wounds and then watched it soar into the sky;
If He's mindful of creation, on this I can depend,
I am His child, and I can place all my trust in Him.

I can trust Jesus, I can trust Jesus,

He never once has failed to meet my need;

He is my strong tow'r, 
The strength in my weakest hour,

I can trust Jesus, He takes care of me.

I have prayed some prayers and felt they never were heard,
But I held to God's hand and kept right on trusting in His Word;
My wants and God's desires don't always agree,
But I lean on His will, for He always what's best for me.

I can trust Jesus, I can trust Jesus,
He never once has failed to meet my need;
He is my strong tow'r, 
The strength in my weakest hour,
I can trust Jesus, He takes care of me.

Songwriter unknown; sung by the Collingsworth family

You will be blessed if you watch the song here.

It's a simple truth, but I need to be reminded today. I am so thankful that He takes care of me. I can trust Him. He's working all things together for good (Romans 8:28).

The Collingsworth family

Life's Rough?

There are days when I catch myself thinking life is rough. 


I have many challenges, just as most people have. And when I start to dwell on those hard things, and imagine how it could get worse, Jesus usually reminds me of Bible characters and people in history who had it tougher than I have it... Jesus Himself, the Apostle Paul, Esther, Corrie ten Boom, Jim and Elisabeth Elliot. 


These perspectives help, but what gets down to where I really live is reading about or meeting someone who is living it right now... someone who is walking with Christ right now in the midst of more difficult circumstances than I have ever experienced.


Meet my virtual friend Sheri. She and her family are missionaries to Brazil. I have yet to meet Sheri in person, but by testimony of those who know her, she is a true Christian inspiration. Here's something I saw in her comments to someone on Facebook recently: "I just want to participate with God and what He's doing 100%!"

Sheri has gone through some unspeakable horrors as well as some very rough living conditions on the mission field, living in the jungle, seeking to be a godly wife and mother through it all. Most women who have been through something like that on the mission field would have come back home feeling that they have "paid their dues," and that "now it is time to relax." Not Sheri. She couldn't wait to get back to Brazil after their first term.


As I write this, they are sitting in their new home in Lages, Brazil, a home not as primitive as their jungle home, yet primitive by North American standards. When they set up housekeeping, they found out the water had been cut off. It's winter in Brazil, and they had no heat in the house for several days. 


They are roughing it without any furniture except a small kitchen table, a small 4-burner stove to cook with and air mattresses to sleep on for now, as they wait for their container of household things to arrive and clear customs. Literally all Sheri has in her kitchen is a sink. Homes there do not come with refrigerator, stove, cabinets, etc. They lived like this for many weeks--indefinitely--not knowing when the container would arrive. (Thank God it finally arrived last Friday!)


How many would have quit and said, "OK, now I want to go home!"?


Yet Sheri is thankful. She is happy. You can see the love of Christ radiating on her face in every picture of her. 


I am humbled in the midst of my own complaining spirit. There are so many verses the proclaim how good God is! 

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10

Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. Job 34:12

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Psalm 31:19

Do I beat myself up for complaining? Sometimes. But when I do, I am really just jumping from one ditch into another. I want to remember that is not the answer. I want to be on the balanced highway in the middle. Just resting in Him and walking with Him. Yielding every area of my life as He reveals it, and not worrying about the areas He has yet to show me. He will reveal them in His time. And I pray that I will always remain soft to His promptings to yield.


Life with God is good!


(Click here for Sheri's latest blog entry: Saturday and a Pillow.)

Once

I remember listening to an old LP record of Lester Roloff singing this old hymn by A.B. Simpson (see below). It means so much more now than it did when I was a kid ... because through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come!

These dangers, toils, and snares have enabled me to understand the "grace life" more fully. The words of verse two are oh-so-true for me! "Once 'twas painful trying/ Now 'tis perfect trust."

And, believe me, I'm still learning to lean on Jesus. That's what it's all about: yielding to Him so He can live the Christian life through me. It's so much more peaceful than painful trying!

Once
A.B. Simpson

1. Once it was the blessing,
Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling,
Now it is His Word;
Once His gift I wanted,
Now, the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.


CHORUS
All in all is Jesus,
Jesus will I sing;
Everything in Jesus,
And Jesus, everything.


2. Once 'twas painful trying,
Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation,
Now the uttermost;
Once 'twas ceaseless holding,
Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting,
Now my anchor's cast.


3. Once 'twas busy planning,
Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring,
Now He has the care;
Once 'twas what I wanted,
Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking,
Now 'tis ceaseless praise.


4. Once it was my working,
His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him,
Now He uses me;
Once the pow'r I wanted,
Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored,
Now for Him alone.


5. Once I hoped in Jesus,
Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying,
Now they brightly shine;
Once for death I waited,
Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored
Safe within the veil.

~ A.B. Simpson

Additional reading on the "grace life": The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life, by Hannah Whitall Smith; Charles Trumbull's writings; Oswald Chambers' writings; F.B. Meyer's writings; etc. Message me (or comment below) if you would like more info.

My New Diet

Working with naturopathic and medical doctors, I am finding some health issues that require a serious, albeit temporary, change of diet (though I will have to keep certain things in moderation for life so the symptoms do not return). So I'm trying to gradually change over my kitchen along with my diet. Not easy! Here's what I made for supper tonight: Quinoa Casserole and a French Salad. Taste tests are good! We'll see what Peter and Kyla think! :)

Quinoa With Walnuts and Rosemary

Easy Quinoa Stovetop Casserole Recipe, With Walnuts and Rosemary

Quinoa, Walnut and Rosemary Casserole is simple and easy, a hearty & flavorful, light yet filling stovetop casserole recipe.

4 Servings: Preparation time, approximately 45 minutes from start to serving.

Quinoa Casserole Ingredients:

▪   1/2 cup walnuts, soaked in water for 6 hours or longer - we soak overnight in the fridge, in a covered container, then drain and rinse

▪   1 c quinoa, soaked 15 minutes, rinsed and drained in a colander

▪   1 Tbsp olive oil

▪   1 - 2 garlic cloves

▪   1 medium carrot, peeled and diced

▪   1 stalk celery, diced

▪   1 unsalted veggie bouillon cube

▪   1 1/2 cups boiling water

▪   1/4 - 1/2 tsp crushed dried rosemary leaf, or 1 tsp fresh

▪   1 bay leaf

▪   Optional: 1/2 tsp salt

▪   1/2 cup frozen peas (I used mixed vegetables.)

▪   1/4 cup parsley, minced

▪   Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Soak the walnuts ahead in the fridge the morning or evening before cooking

2. Soak quinoa 15 minutes to an hour, rinse three times through a fine metal strainer, leave to drain

3. Heat olive oil on medium in a large sauté pan or frying pan

4. Crush, peel, stem, and mince garlic cloves

5. Wash and dice celery (slice lengthwise, then crosswise, in thin slices)

6. Peel and dice carrot (slice lengthwise in four, then crosswise in thin slices)

7. Stir fry garlic, celery and carrot until beginning to brown

8. Shake quinoa to get out any remaining water, add to pan, and sauté until dry

9. Add crushed rosemary leaf, and bay leaf, stir to heat through

10.          Cooking Tip: To 'crush' rosemary, we whizzed whole dried rosemary leaf in our trusty spice grinder (aka coffee grinder). You can also use a mortar and pestle, or just crush it with your fingers

11.          Cooking Tip: If you use a salted bouillon cube for this recipe, you'll need very little added salt. Check the label on the box.

12.          Stir in 1 1/2 cups boiling water, optional salt and bouillon cube, bring to boil, cover and simmer 15 minutes

13.          Add the frozen peas on top, cover and simmer another 10 minutes

14.          Chop walnuts coarsely, mince parsley, and stir into casserole with the peas

15.          Turn off heat, stir in fresh ground pepper to taste, then serve

French Salad with Walnuts, Beets, and Feta Cheese

(by Laura Calder, Food Network)

Ingredients

• 4 endives, quartered and cored (I used Romaine lettuce.)

• 1 medium beet, cooked, peeled and diced

• 6 ounces blue cheese, crumbled (I used Feta.)

• 5 ounces walnuts, broken up a bit and toasted if you like

• 1/2 cup walnut oil (I used olive mixed with vegetable oil.)

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• salt and pepper to season

Directions

3. Separate the endive leaves and fan them out on a plate. Scatter over the beet, blue cheese, and nuts. Whisk together the oil and vinegar. Taste to make sure the balance is right. Season, taste again, then drizzle over the salad. Serve.