Bible in 90 Days

This week proved the most difficult yet.  I began reading Psalm 90, through Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and ended after Isaiah 13.

Here are a few of the scriptures that jumped out at me!

Psalm 78

¹ My people, hear my teaching;

listen to the words of my mouth.

² I will open my mouth with a parable;

I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

³ things we have heard and known,

things our ancestors have told us.

⁴ We will not hide them from their descendants;

we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,

his power, and the wonders he has done.

⁵ He decreed statutes for Jacob

and established the law in Israel,

which he commanded our ancestors

to teach their children,

⁶ so the next generation would know them,

even the children yet to be born,

and they in turn would tell their children.

⁷ Then they would put their trust in God

and would not forget his deeds

but would keep his commands.

⁸ They would not be like their ancestors—

a stubborn and rebellious generation,

whose hearts were not loyal to God,

whose spirits were not faithful to him.

We are to teach our children about God and His precepts from before birth and beyond; so that they would put their trust in HIM!

Psalm 142.1-2

 ¹ I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
² I pour out before him my complaint;
before him I tell my trouble.

Psalm 142.1-2 reminds me that I am to call to/go to GOD first, not after I've called 2 girlfriends to complain or vent.

If you are also reading the Bible in 90 Days, how are you doing?  Are you struggling with finding the time to read or what God is showing you?  There are times I'm not liking what He is showing me about myself.  I'm praying for us all!

Blessings,

     Ellen

multitudes on mondays

This past week has been filled with so many ups-and-downs that I feel like I just got off a roller coaster!  After a wonderful visit with friends we hadn't seen for 3 years, my husband had a terrible car accident.

THANK YOU GOD...

11.  My husband is alive and well with only minor bumps, bruises and soreness.  (Here's a picture of his car... which, by the way, was totaled by the insurance company.)

12.  A terrific visit with Bob and Janet

13.  Janet's good health

14.  Hurricane Irene went west of my parent's home

15.  Staying on schedule with reading the Bible in 90 Days

16.  The insurance company's check will cover the lien amount.  PTL!

17.  My daughter telling me "I love you!"

18.  School going well

19.  My son's love of improv!

20.  For Rod... my hubby, my love

Blessings,

     Ellen

Summer visits... wonderful!

Me, Ann (mom-in-law), and Rod

The Cook family... including Grandmom Cook!

Do you enjoy birds, flowers, fish and stuff?

We enjoyed strolling through the Tennessee Aquarium.  Can you tell?!?!

Blessings,

     Ellen

multitudes on mondays... one thousand gifts

What are you thankful for?  What am I thankful to GOD for?  Why is it that I normally choose to demand question GOD on His doings in my life than thank Him for his blessings and teachings?  Well, hopefully, that "demandiness" will end here... or at least begin changing my heart for the better.

Each week I will be posting a list of the many things I am thankful to God for, and then linking up with others on Multitudes on Monday to see read how God is working in their lives. 

#1 - 10

1.  a long, overdue visit with a special family member

2.  penguins

3.  seeing God's creativeness in sea horses

4.  vine-ripened tomatoes

5.  so far, only a small tribe of stink bugs in the zucchini plant

6.  homeschooling friends

7.  Rod, my handsome husband

8.  a loving mom and dad

9.  computers that work

10.  crock pots

What are you thankful for this week?

Ann Voskamp wrote a book entitled One Thousand Gifts: Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.  More information on this can be found at One Thousand Gifts and at A Holy Experience.

Blessings,

     Ellen

The Bible in 90 Days

This past week, my mother-in-law came in for a visit.  Since I really wanted to spend time as a family, I fell behind.  I have spent yesterday and today catching up. 

This week's reading included: Nehemiah, Esther, Job, and Psalms 1 - 89.

Throughout my readings, Psalm 15 keeps coming to mind.  I love it when scripture asks a question and then goes on to answer it.  God leaves no question as to what He wants us to know/learn.  Take a look....

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

^"1 LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?

² The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
³ whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
⁴ who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the LORD;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
⁵ who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

 

Whoever does these things
will never be shaken."

So, if you are currently reading through the Bible in 90 Day, how are you doing?  If you find yourself getting behind, set aside a time twice a day until you are caughts up.  I'm praying for us all during this time!

Blessings,

     Ellen

Fresh Basil

Thanks to a very dear friend, Michelle, I have learned to not only grow my own basil, but dry it for later use.  If I can do this, anyone can!

First, grow basil in a pot (like below) or in your garden.

 Next, pick the basil leaves off the plant, rinse them off, and pat dry.

 Arrange the dried leaves on a paper plate or or paper towel.  Cover with a dry paper towel.

 Microwave on HIGH 30 seconds.  Check their progress.  Microwave for another 30 seconds until the leaves are dried out and crunchy.  This usually takes me 1-1 1/2 minutes.

 When the leaves are dry, they will look like this.

 Using your fingers, crush the leaves like below.  If you have any large stems, remove them from the pile.

 Store in an air-tight jar for later use.  I am recycling a store-bought container.  I just changed the name to "Mom's Basil."

 Cool shot, huh!?!?!  Use in recipes just like you do store-bought seasoning.

Enjoy!

Blessings,

     Ellen

This post may be linked to: Tasty Tuesday Link Party This Week's Cravings Hunk of Meat Monday Delectable Tuesday Totally Tasty Tuesday Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays Tasty Tuesdays Tuesdays at the Table Hearth and Soul Hop Tasty Tuesday Tuesday Night Supper Club Slightly Indulgent Tuesday Dr. Laura's Tasty Tuesday What's Cooking Wednesday What's for Dinner? Foodie Wednesday Real Food Wednesday What's On the Menu Wednesday What's Cooking Wednesday Full Plate Thursday Fun with Food Friday Tuesday Tantalizing Taste Sweets for a Saturday What's Cooking Wednesday What's on Your Plate? Recipes I Can't Wait to Try No Whine Wednesday Savory Sundays This Chick Cooks Simply Delish Saturdays Recipe Sharing Mondays Fat Camp Friday Whisking Wednesdays What's Cooking Wednesday Cooking Thursday It's a Keeper Ultimate Recipe Swap

Stealing Jake ~ a book review

Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman is a wonderful historical fiction novel that shows the forgiving love and amazing grace our our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

"When Livy O’Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she’s helping to run an orphanage. Now she’ll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.

Sheriff’s deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy—literally—while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town—as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off—Jake doesn’t have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn’t willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman."

This story has it all... romance, suspense, danger, humor, and more!  The characters are well-developed and have you cheering them on!  I especially enjoyed Gus, a quiet man who helped out his neighbors in the dark of night, not wishing to be known for his acts of kindness.  Throughout the story, God's grace and mercy and forgiveness shine through.  How many of us can say we have never sinned or have nothing hiding in our past that we don't wish people to know?  Yet, Livy, who lived on the streets of Chicago as a child, comes forward to share her past to help the street children of Chestnut.  Her desire to help others trumped her need to keep her past in the past.  How many of us would put our lives "out there" to help others?

My rating: 5 stars out of 5!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers for my review.

Blessings,

     Ellen