Month: January 2018

Surrendering in Prayer

Today a community of writers will take the prompt that Kate Motaung has given and  write  for  five minutes  (or sometimes a little longer).        I enjoy linking up with Five Minute Friday and seeing where the word takes us. Today’s prompt is: SURRENDER

Every morning my husband and I read a  daily  devotion  from  God’s  Wisdom for Navigating Life by Tim Keller. The verse for this morning comes from Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

My thoughts go back to the time that our son was battling leukemia. It has been almost 30 years ago. Steven’s illness was not a punishment—it was suffering that God allowed. God loved us during that difficult time; we experienced it through scripture and the community of friends that stood by us.

My husband and I fought for the life of our son with every means possible. We did research. We eventually accompanied Steven to the Cancer Research Center in Seattle where he had a bone marrow transplant. We provided his care at home.

Throughout this time we were praying. I talked with God during the long nights. I wept and cried out to him in the shower (so Steven would not see my anguish). As the cancer progressed and eventually took Steven’s life I surrendered to God in prayer.

Now, when I look back I can see how that time period refined my faith. I was talking to God, speaking to him about my pain. I saw the way Steven trusted God as we spent time in God’s word. God guided our family through a period of suffering. Steven’s sisters have grown in their faith and are now ministering to their own families.

If you are in a period of suffering the best thing you can do is pray. Lay your pain and suffering before the Lord and trust that He will carry you through, building your faith.

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Talking About Sex

On Thursday evenings I look forward to seeing the prompt  that  Kate   Motaung has chosen for Five Minute Friday. I enjoy linking up with this community of writers and seeing where the word takes us. Today’s prompt is: INTENTIONAL

I was born in the 1950s, before the b.c. pill became widely available

My mother had five of us. The women in my church had anywhere from three to five, maybe six children. My aunt had six children.

I was just out of nursing school when Roe v. Wade legalized abortion. I still remember the young woman that was brought in to the  labor and delivery unit where I was working. She was there for a saline induction and as I understood what was happening, I was horrified. The baby would die before being delivered.

The next day I went to the nurse manager and told her that I could never be assigned an abortion case. I wrote a letter about my conviction, and it was placed in my file at work.

I grew up in a different age. The sexual revolution has made things seem common, things that are harmful to women.

I want my granddaughters to know that they should protect their bodies. I want them to know that sex is a deep bond reserved for marriage. It is just one part of a life-long commitment to one man.

I want them to know that sometimes pregnancy is a surprise,  but  it  is  always a gift. Motherhood is hard; it is a self-sacrificing role, but it has many joys. It is a time to get close to God. A time to lean in to Him for strength and guidance.

I will tell them.

All Life is Precious

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Seeking Peace and Focus: Quieting the Competing Voices

On Thursday evenings I look forward to seeing the prompt  that  Kate   Motaung has chosen for Five Minute Friday. I enjoy linking up with this community of writers and seeing where the word takes us. Today’s prompt is: SIMPLIFY

Sometimes the news and political controversies stir up my emotions and distract me. The “news” is posted on my e-mail carrier, on my iphone, on twitter. I had a habit of watching the news on TV while eating breakfast (a bit of a news junkie?).

This year I need new habits. My husband and I are reading devotions based on the Proverbs every morning (God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life by Tim Keller). I am eating breakfast in silence and then spending time on my study of the book of Romans.

With so many competing voices in our culture I need to focus on the Bible.

The Word of God is the best guiding voice for each day.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet . . .

Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

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Sweet Potato Casserole: A Side Dish for Fish

When we are in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, about as far north as you can go in Michigan, we enjoy getting a meal at the 4 Suns Fish & Chips. Sometimes we get fish & chips to go.

Sweet Potato Casserole: Side Dish for Fish

At other times we sit outdoors with a view of the Quincy Mine.

A Side Dish for Fish

At one time the restaurant offered a layered sweet potato bake. You could select it instead of French fries. But it is no longer on their menu. I liked it so much that I have come up with a recipe based on my memory of this dish.

Ingredients:

3 small or 2 medium size sweet potatoes

½ apple, peeled and grated

½ Vidalia onion, sliced thin

2 tsp. coconut oil

2 or 3 slices of Swiss cheese

Bake or steam the sweet potatoes until they are fork tender. Sauté the onion in the coconut oil, until translucent.

Then peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into rounds. Place half of the rounds in a small casserole. Cover with half of the grated apple, then half of the sautéed onion. Place a slice of Swiss cheese on top, and repeat the layers.

Bake at 375° for 20 to 25 minutes.

Sweet Potato Casserole

I like to serve it with tilapia.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Linking this post with the Homestead Blog Hop,   Sue’s Wordless Wednesday and Create with Joy

Finding Inspiration in 2018

The young men glided and twirled across the ice. Triple axles, quads and dance sequence steps. Occasionally there was a misstep or fall. But they picked themselves up and continued on.  I was watching the  National    Figure Skating Competition on TV.

Next month the winter Olympics will begin in South Korea. I look forward with hope, that for a while the political turmoil in the region will cease. Figure skating is my favorite event to watch. The artistry of the figure skating athletes is beautiful. I am inspired by their motivation to be the best.

We need experiences, art and words that inspire and encourage.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.       Philippians 4:8

It is my prayer that I will write words of encouragement in the year unfolding before us.

Visit the Five Minute Friday community for inspiration. Today’s prompt is: MOTIVATION

Linking this post with Faith on Fire