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| Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and all the sweet ladies of Happy Homemaking Monday! |
I pray that everyone reading this post had a wonderful weekend and is pumped up, ready to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead in the week before us! I know I am!
Last week I pretty much managed to stay on track in most areas and am hoping that the momentum continues. I got the program totes gone through and organized, and, in the process, I pulled out stuff used in past programs that I can use again in ones that are coming up. That was a huge job, but it's done and I'm thankful! And the Van Gogh room looks AMAZING right now! 😲🌻🌟💓
Let's get started, shall we?
Right now I am...
Finishing up my breakfast and enjoying a cup of hot tea as I write this post. (Actually, I started working on it yesterday afternoon and am just finishing up the last minute details this morning.)
On the breakfast plate...
Cinnamon-apple oatmeal (old-fashioned oats cooked with a whole, small apple chopped up in it, a tablespoon or so of unsweetened applesauce, cinnamon, and stevia) and a steaming cup of plain, black tea
The weather...
We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning! We woke up to snow yesterday morning, too, but most of it had melted off by evening. This fresh batch overnight brought us 3 or 4 inches of the fluffy white stuff and all the trees are outlined in it. It's so beautiful outside! (In fact, I'm thinking of heading out to the park to see if I can locate some snowy-backed bison to photograph this morning!) Snow chances continue through the rest of the morning hours, then just cold. The forecast shows a high of 31 degrees today, but, when you check the hourly, it's showing a high of 20 degrees this afternoon with an overnight low of 0 degrees and wind chills in the -10 to -20 range...so...back in the deep-freeze we go. The long-range forecast shows a couple of super cold days, then highs in the 30's, 40's, and 50's from there on out. Anyway we go, spring is on the way, so praise the Lord! (This is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Amen?)
On my reading pile...
I finally finished reading A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George and, after telling you ladies for weeks how much I love this book, I must say, while the first part of the book was pretty much the same as it had always been (only minor changes and updates had been made here and there), the last two chapters really took me by surprise and left me totally disappointed...the next-to-the-last one especially.
While some scripture was sprinkled throughout, the entire text was filled with fear-producing unbelief. I was left with the feeling that Elizabeth George believes that seeking counsel from people within a church body takes precedence over searching the scriptures (seeking God's advice through His Word was suggested "in addition" to finding it from people in a church) and that, whether in her 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's or beyond there is no good season to a woman's life.
In fact, in the final chapter of the updated and expanded version of A Woman After God's Own Heart, Elizabeth begins by saying, "I don't know about you, but I realize that the reality check we've just been through could be discouraging. It could be a real downer, even the beginning step toward slipping into depression if we aren't careful..." WHAT?!?!? 😨
I'm sorry, but the "reality" that Mrs. George referred to in this statement is so far removed from my own reality, and the reality experienced by the women within my own family and sphere of influence, that it isn't even funny! She doesn't even sound like the same person that wrote the earlier chapters of this book!
Unfortunately, it appears that Elizabeth George has succumbed to the worldliness, pseudo-psychology, and religiosity that is found so prevalent within the modern church of our day,
Sadly, this book that used to mean so much to me...a book that challenged and encouraged me for decades to keep pressing in and keep pressing on...inviting and inspiring me to be all that God created me to be as "a woman after God's own heart"...has suddenly left me with a very bad taste in my mouth.
As I have done dozens of times in the past, I will no longer be gifting women with this book and I, certainly, won't be encouraging women to read it. I was really saddened and surprised (more like shocked) by the additions to this book and the changes that have taken place in Elizabeth George's view of reality as she has aged. It's very disheartening. 😞
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| Tongues: Beyond The Upper Room by Kenneth E. Hagin Life in the Spirit Study Bible - King James Version |
As for my other areas of reading, in addition to my daily Bible-reading schedule and individual study, I am down to the final few chapters of Tongues: Beyond The Upper Room by Kenneth E. Hagin. I am still determined to completely finish it before delving into the next books and study materials on my list.
On the menu this week...
Another week and we're still managing to stay on track with our Dollar S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g, Cabinet-Clearing, Clean-Up-The-Food Project For January 2018. I will do an update on our progress a little later in the week. As we head into the third week, here's the plan for this week's menus...
Monday - Breakfast - apple-cinnamon oatmeal
Lunch - leftover homemade pizza
Supper - skillet cheesy chicken and veggie "rice"
Tuesday - Breakfast - cottage cheese on sprouted toast
Lunch - chicken soup and grilled cheese sandwich
Supper - salmon, roasted potatoes, brussel sprouts
Wednesday - Breakfast - egg, sliced turkey, and cheese on toast
Lunch - leftover homemade pizza
Supper - stuffed pepper casserole
Thursday - Breakfast - THM pancakes with blueberries and yogurt
Lunch - leftover chicken soup and grilled cheese sandwich
Supper - meatloaf, smashed potatoes, and roasted veggies
Friday - Breakfast - THM pancakes with blueberries and yogurt
Lunch - leftover stuffed pepper casserole
Supper - salmon, baked potatoes, green fryes
Saturday - Breakfast - THM pancakes with blueberries and yogurt
Lunch - homemade macaroni and cheese
Supper - leftovers
Sunday - Breakfast - cottage cheese on sprouted toast
Lunch - leftovers
Supper - chili and crackers
Snacks throughout the week may include smoothies, fresh fruit (apples or oranges), cereal, or popcorn
On my 'to do' list...
- Monday - Plan the week ahead ✅, do weekly "home blessing" ✅, do laundry ✅
- Tuesday - Rest, relax, and work on little individual projects that need tended to
- Wednesday - Present "Birds of a Feather" library program at local library x 2
- Thursday - Run errands with dh
- Friday - Work
- Saturday - Co-host baby shower for youngest son and d-i-l (am taking the day off at work)
- Sunday - Church; cousin's get-together
In the craft basket...
Peanut butter pinecone birdfeeders (preparation for library program)
Looking forward to this week...
Getting together with family and friends at the baby shower and getting together with my cousins and their families for an evening of food and fun
From the camera...
I just now took this picture looking out our front door. It is a view of the field across from our house. As I look at it, I can't help but think how much it looks like a scene that Andrew Wythe might have painted. I am posting an example of what I'm talking about below.
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| The Field Across From Our House |
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| An Andrew Wythe Painting |
Scripture passage...
Until Next Time...
~Rebecca
Recent posts that you might enjoy reading...
Good morning Rebecca.. so sorry to hear about your novel.. Hate when the book's end leaves us disappointed. Im like you, I started my post yesterday.. knowing I would be out all morning today.... just checking in some favs before I get down to work around here.. lots to do bah humbug!! heheheh God bless!!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Schotzy! Yes, the whole thing just made me so sad. Here I was thinking that we were heading for more nuggets of wisdom and whoa! What the heck is THIS??? :O Oh, well! Nothing I can do about it. It's just sad. Anyway, thanks for dropping in, reading, and leaving a comment. Have a great week ahead and I pray that it is filled with more blessings than you can contain! <3
DeleteI am truly surprised and concerned about the changes in Mrs. George's book. It doesn't sound good. Amy has read several of her books for teens. I have always considered her a "safe" author. I wonder if she was depressed?
ReplyDeleteLOVING THE SNOW! The traffic is now moving at a good clip on the highway. It's 11:30 and the snow is still falling, but it's slowed down. Emily is hostessing a Disney Princess Movie Marathon this afternoon and evening to celebrate the last day before school starts. It begins at 1:00. We're not sure if we will have any girls come or not. One never knows when the weather is like this. We didn't cancel. We'll just enjoy the movies whether we have company or not. Taco Soup for supper! It's a family favorite. Be blessed! Laura
I'm not sure what has happened, but she sure doesn't sound like the same person that wrote the original book...that's for sure. Yes, me, too! I just posted an album of pictures on Facebook that I took earlier today when John and I went around the back way to (and through) the park. It's beautiful out there!!! How'd the movie marathon go? Did any of the other girls make it? Taco soup sounds delish! Talk to you later! <3
DeleteI often start my posts the night before or like today, at breakfast time and then take until almost lunchtime to finish. Sorry your book left you disappointed. The view out your front door is spectacular! Kind of wishing I hadn't tried to make cinnamon pine cones in December so I could use mine to make peanut butter/birdseed ones. Thinking the cinnamon oils (I used the YL Christmas spirit oil) wouldn't be good for the birds?). Hope you have a great week ahead and stay warm!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in, reading, and commenting, Jean! You are always such an encouragement to me! As for pinecones...I've got scads of them! If you want to send me your address I would be happy to mail you a few for birdfeeders. Just let me know! And, no, the Christmas Spirit oil would not be good for the birds. LOL! Have a great week, my friend! Ready or not here comes the cold again! <3
DeleteSo sorry that your book turned out to be a disappointment. That's so frustrating, especially when it's an author you've enjoyed before. Have fun making pinecone feeders! May I assume that it's a birding program you are doing at the library? Those are so popular at the library where I work! How can you not love those sweet little birds? Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteHi, Carol! Thanks for stopping in, reading, and commenting. I appreciate that! I work part-time as a naturalist at a state park. I go into the local library and do programs for the preschoolers one day a month. This month's program is called BIRDS OF A FEATHER. We will be talking about common birds that visit our feeders in the winter and making the pinecone feeders to take home. It's a lot of fun! Have a blessed weekend! <3
DeleteIt is very frustrating when an author that you have liked before suddenly seems to change. I LOVE the photo of the snow. So pretty! Hope you have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rachel! Have a blessed week! <3
DeleteEnjoyed reading your post today. So sorry about your disappointment with a favorite book/author - always a sad turn when you feel let by down by someone you admire(d) in the past. Beautiful view, but certainly looks cold! Have a GREAT week.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tamy! And, yes, very cold! At the moment it's 7 degrees; supposed to get down to -5 overnight with wind chill of -20. Brrrr!!! You have a great week, too! Blessings!
DeleteRe: Finding out that people's walks don't always reflect their talks---This has happened to me many, many times. Unfortunately, I am not one of those people who can choose to "un-know" or "un-see/un-hear" things. Once the info is embedded in my brain, there is no more sticking my head in the sand. When I found out that Mary Engelbreit, who I had supported for years by buying scads and scads of her artwork, was a personal financial supporter of abortion and abortion rights, it left me sick to my stomach. I thought to myself, "Gee, why didn't I just send all my money straight to the clinics and cut out the middleman?" So I had to get rid of all of it. Bummed me out. But, honestly, just knowing that part of every dollar I gave her was used to help murder innocent babies left me feeling very complicit and sad. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteIt's discouraging, yes, but, then again, these are people and people fail us. We just need to pray for them that the Lord would open their eyes and convict their hearts...and ours...in every area. We all have the potential of getting off path and, unfortunately, often do. The only sure way is to stay in the Word of God on a daily basis, maintain a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and make God's Holy Word the final authority in every area. Thanks for taking the time to stop in and comment and blessings for a great rest of the week! <3
DeleteSorry the author has disappointed you. I have never read her but I was hearing good things.
ReplyDeleteLovely view from your home. Have a great week
Thanks for dropping in, Lucie! I love Elizabeth George and her books, WOMAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART and BEAUTIFUL IN GOD'S EYES, have been my top two favorites since first discovering them nearly two decades ago. I pray that whatever happened to create such a turn in her teaching is rectified and that those final chapters are rewritten and realigned with the previous ones. It just doesn't make sense. Have a blessed rest of the week! <3
DeleteHi Rebecca! I hope you've been having a blessed week so far. So sorry to hear about that book. I know what you mean and I have been trying to better about reading directly from scripture, as I have not always been the best about that during my devotional time.
ReplyDeleteYour menu sounds so yummy this week! And I love that photo- it is just like that other picture. ;) I'm so happy you stopped by about my blogaversary. check back on friday for the winner! Have a great rest of the week and stay warm and cozy. xoxo
Thanks, Carrie! My week has been very blessed and I hope that yours has been the same! Yes, scripture-reading is so important and, all too often, we (myself included) end up getting more into books and devotionals and end up missing out on God's best for us. We run all over the place seeking answers, first from one source, and then another, when all along the answers we were seeking were right there in God's Holy Word all along. Thanks for taking the time to stop in, read, and comment. I appreciate it and will be checking back in on Friday to see who the winner is! Blessings! <3
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