Petals from the Basket

Blog

Gray and Grateful

During my “growing-up years,” our family verse was Matthew 6:33 – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” This is an awesome verse at the conclusion of a passage reminding us that we don’t need to worry about what we will wear, what we will eat, or what we will drink! We are commanded, yes commanded, to seek His kingdom above everything else, and all these things WILL be provided by Him!

At the time of my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary (ten years ago!), they added the following verse to their “family verses” for the “second half” of their journey together:

“Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim Your power to this new generation, Your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” – Psalm 71:18 [NLT]

I recently heard them recite this together after their morning Bible reading, and soon after that, I found myself without employment and its related evening activities – additional time that needed to be used wisely. It was the memory of hearing this verse that prompted the recent publication of a few ebooks – with more to come!

My parents are now in their 80’s. (Lest you think I’m being a horrid daughter by sharing their ages, they are quite fine with it – they’ve worked hard and earned every gray hair they have – – – many of which I’m sure came from me!) Though they used to travel and speak in churches around the country – and around the world – primarily through the ministry of family conferences, and also representing a Christian camp, they are not able to travel much anymore. However, they continue to desire first and foremost to continue to have a ministry to others, sharing Who God is, the salvation from sin that He provides, and what He is continuing to teach them as they learn more of Him.

Enter: Psalm 71:18.

Change, just for the sake of change, or just for the sake of not doing it “the old way,” seems to me to be just a lot of work, and a spinning of the wheels without forward momentum. However, change that utilizes new methods that are now available, or that is being done for the sake of greater outreach – without changing the foundational message – is wise, and allows us to move forward!

This “new generation” (as the NLT calls them in Psalm 71:18) is a technologically-savvy generation. Therefore, we who are becoming or are already “old and gray” need to recognize that we may need to make some changes in order to reach them with the Gospel of Christ, always remembering that the Good News itself never changes!

Therefore, I view ebooks and websites and blogs as one way to allow ministry to others to continue, even if the authors can’t share the information face-to-face at this time. It is a way to reach “this new generation” as well as “all who come after me!”

So I am thrilled to tell you that between the three books we gave away yesterday, we were able to provide over 800 free downloads! This so far exceeded my expectations (I humbly confess that my “high” expectation was approximately 50 books!!!), that I am praying that God will provide material to get into circulation so that we can continue to share His Word with those who may not otherwise be reached. My prayer is that these books will not only be used to share the Gospel, but will also help to disciple believers to continue learning in their journey of faith and to seek His kingdom FIRST! Please pray with me about this as I join the Psalmist in asking God to help us “reach this new generation” with wonderful truths from His Word!

_______________________________

Thank you for taking time to read Gray and Grateful – Please feel free to leave a comment!

 

 

By Petals from the Basket | April 25, 2012 | Bible Reading, Books, Ebooks, Family, Life Changes |

Countdown to Simplicity

When helping brides plan their weddings I start with the event itself and work my way backwards to determine all the tasks that need to be accomplished. It’s the best method for assuring that nothing is overlooked!

Here is an example for one element of the wedding reception: There needs to be a cake – or cupcakes, or cheesecake, or cake pops, or . . . hamburgers (hey – whatever the bride wants, the bride gets)! So in planning this way, I start with “seeing” the finished cake on the serving table or a display table. Then I back up to the fact that someone needs to be there to put the cake on the table. (Who is the kitchen crew? When will they be asked to serve or hired to cater?) Prior to that, the cake needs to get to the kitchen. (Who will deliver or pick up the cake, and when?) Before that, it needs to be paid for in full. (When is the final payment due? How will it be paid – credit card, check?) Before that, the cake needs to be selected. (When will the tasting session be held? This part depends on how much of a lead time the baker needs for orders.) And prior to all of it, who will the baker, caterer, or cake artist be? (What are the local options? Are they available for that date?) All of this – and more, actually – just for the cake! But you get the idea of how it works!

With the start of the weekend, I thought I’d insert a post about some personal “pre-planning” that I’m doing today. I’m preparing for brief visits with friends. The option of staying in the area where I currently live is still a viable option. Moving to another state altogether is also still just as likely. I’m searching – God is leading – I am following His leading! But in the meantime, I still want to enjoy visits with friends in my home – boxes and all!

In preparing for company, my mind goes into event-planning mode. The final (first) view: someone will be sitting at my table enjoying a light snack and coffee. (Remember: You don’t have to have people over for dinner when time and/or resources are limited!) Now I need to plan how to make that snack happen. When will I prepare it? When will I buy it?

This brings me to the point of this post: “Countdown to Simplicity!” While I always want to enjoy visits with friends – old and new – my time is extremely limited right now. Sitting around baking cakes and cookies is not an option – not only because time is at a premium, but also because I do NOT need freshly-baked cookies calling out my name all day long! I need something simple, but nice! The popular “3-2-1 Cake” is the perfect solution! I made my first one about two months ago, and LOVE it!

This recipe has been floating around blogs and websites for quite awhile now, and even has made its way onto several Pinterest boards. Many of you probably have seen it – or even tried it already. I’ve searched and searched and can’t seem to find the true origin of it, so I credit about 30 people/websites for this recipe! It’s simple to make up ahead of time, simple to “bake,” and the clean-up is just as simple. Oh – and it’s simply delicious!

RECIPE: 3-2-1 Cake

*One box of angel food cake mix (Buy the cheapest one available – no fancy ingredients required!)

*One box regular cake mix (Again, buy the cheapest available – and any flavor will do!)

That’s it – – – now open both cake mixes and toss them into a gallon-size Ziploc bag – or a seal-able Tupperware bowl.

*Shake to mix well.

*Store until needed.

——-

Then, WHEN your company arrives and you are ready to eat:

*Using a small microwavable bowl or dish, use the 3-2-1 method to prepare the individual cakes as follows:

*3 tablespoons of your pre-mixed mixes (Say that five times fast! haha)

*2 tablespoons of water (stir in lightly until a “cake batter” forms – go easy on the water – this is the correct amount!)

*1 minute on high in the microwave (I add 30 seconds per additional cake if baking 2-3 little cakes together, times vary)

——-

When you take it out, let it sit for a few seconds, run a knife around the edge of your bowl, and flip the bowl over to release the mini cake onto a pretty plate. You can eat it plain, frost it, top it with some ice cream, or add some fresh strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream! Serve with coffee or tea – or water!

I have my 3-2-1 mix stored in a large Tupperware container, and at any given moment can have a nice treat with a friend – or have just as a little something special for myself after a long day of job searching 🙂 It’s simple – Give it a try!

____________________________________

Thank you for taking time to read about the 3-2-1 cake! Feel free to leave a comment or a question!

 

By Petals from the Basket | April 21, 2012 | Entertaining, Events, Friends, Ideas |

My Internal Compass

The title of this post makes me laugh. In fact, my family will laugh also! I have NO internal compass. None. Zero. Zip. Nada. The gift of “navigational direction” was withheld from me – completely.

My favorite story to illustrate this is from the time my mom and I were headed from central Iowa straight across the state to a town not far from the Nebraska border. My dad told us that it was a very easy route, and there was only one little section to watch. Well, we were singing and laughing and talking, and apparently didn’t watch! Add to that the fact that my lack of good “navigational direction” is inherited from my mother, and you get two women who didn’t even KNOW they were lost! To this day we still recall the moment when we simultaneously read a billboard that read: “Welcome to Eagleville, Missouri!” For those of you with the ability to know directions, no, we did not know we were going south instead of west! Ooops!

While doing some packing, I found an old compass that I had used in a play I once directed. Perhaps because of the “direction-seeking” season I am currently experiencing, that little compass reminded me of some great truths last night.

I have two sisters and one brother and (this is my favorite part!) I am the youngest of the four of us. We have many similarities, but we also have very distinct personalities. At times I have said that we are “North, South, East, and West” in the way we do things, but that we still have a strong connection at the center of the compass. As I saw that little glass-encased compass last evening, it was the center of the compass that caused me to think of just how a compass functions. I went to “Wikipedia” (the “online encyclopedia”) for help in summarizing my explanation:

“A compass functions as a pointer to ‘magnetic north’ because the magnetized needle at its heart aligns itself with the lines of the Earth’s magnetic field. The magnetic field exerts a torque on the needle, pulling one end or pole of the needle toward the Earth’s North magnetic pole, and the other toward the South magnetic pole. The needle is mounted on a low-friction pivot point, . . . so it can turn easily. When the compass is held level, the needle turns until, after a few seconds to allow oscillations to die out, one end points toward the North magnetic pole.” – Wikipedia

The magnetized needle represents my parents. Guiding us. Teaching us. Uniting us as they pointed us to Christ and to the Word of God – the true Center of our home.

However, it is interesting to note that “the needle is mounted on a low-friction pivot point, . . . so it can turn easily.” I am thankful that my parents, while being the center of the compass, and accepting their God-given assignment to “point the way” for their children, were always aware that their children did not “belong” to them, but to God. They did not try to become a point on the compass themselves (they were, after all, the only ones who got to claim the title of “parents” – a ranking even higher than “friend!”), but accepted their positions in the center of the compass, teaching us and allowing us to “turn easily” to the places where we knew God was leading us.

This post is not written to praise my parents, though I am eternally grateful for their example and godly leadership in the home and in their vocational callings, but to remind each of us that we should keep eternal values at the center of the compass. The freedom that comes from loosely holding our families, our possessions, and even our dreams, allows us to follow joyfully wherever the compass leads!

Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.”

____________________________________

Thank you for taking time to read this post. Please feel free to leave a comment.

By Petals from the Basket | April 19, 2012 | Family, Life Changes |

So Many Books – So Little Time

A few years ago I got a sweatshirt (Free – but that’s a whole ‘nother story!) that says “So Many Books – So Little Time” on the front. It’s my favorite! I wear it far too often! 🙂 But it summarizes my life on a couple of different levels.

First of all, if I had time and money to do so, I would write every day – all day. There are so many books in my mind that I would probably need to write, well . . . every day, all day! Perhaps blogging has been a “band-aid” for this wish!

Secondly, I love to read! Again, I would probably be quite content if I could read, read, read for the majority of the day! Books contain wisdom from those who have lived through what I may be about to face, what I currently am living through, or what I just made it through! Authors serve as advisers, counselors, trainers, teachers, and even friends.

In fact, a book itself is like a friend. Therefore, it must be chosen carefully for it will influence you, and will walk with you through your day!

This is one reason I love getting book recommendations from people I trust! I have no time in my life to read books written by truth twisters or those who have their own agenda when it comes to spiritual matters. In books dealing with Christian living, I am careful to read and recommend books that are founded on Scripture. Not merely opinions or emotions – but Scripture! I want to know that my journey of faith will be stronger for having given my time to reading what the author is teaching!

With all of this in mind, I have added a new page to the blog. If you look at the top left corner of this site, you can click on the “Bookshelf” page. There you will find a list of some of the books that I have read. As stated on the page, this list barely scratches the surface of what is actually on my bookshelf, so I will continue to add books as time permits. Just because a book is not listed does not mean I don’t recommend it – so don’t panic if you’re favorite book isn’t listed, it might just mean that there isn’t enough time or space to list them all!

I’ve included links to the books and/or their Kindle versions. While these are indeed associate links, my primary purpose is to have a place where I can share my personal recommendations and where you know you can find books that someone has actually read and wants to share with you!

Since I’m eager to sign off and read another chapter in my current book this morning, I’ll end with a verse I try to use as a standard when choosing Christian living books. Happy reading!

Philippians 4:8  “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Please feel free to comment and share the title of one of your favorite books!

By Petals from the Basket | April 18, 2012 | Uncategorized |

Two Awesome Truths

As with any major life change, the search for employment brings with it many highs and lows. I mentioned the other day the myriad of questions that seem to enter my mind uninvited, so I won’t revisit their rude desire to inhabit my thoughts! Instead, I want to share two very simple but awesome thoughts that were shared with me today.

But first, I must stop to insert how greatly these truths served to remind me of the need for godly counsel. Not listening ears. Not someone with whom to “vent.” Not just catchy phrases shared to make me “feel better.” No. Today I was blessed with good, properly-motivated, Bible-based godly counsel. And that is unbeatable – don’t settle for less!

“Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.” – Psalm 119:24

The first awesome thought, from a family member, was “revisit the truth.”

Satan is the father of lies and is therefore the master “truth twister.” It’s easy to read God’s Word and to know the Lord of all creation is in control, but I will transparently tell you that it’s also easy to listen to the distorted truths presented to me by the evil one in the form of questions: “But why…?” “But how…?” “Why won’t God tell me what’s ahead – I need to know today, don’t I?”

But if I stop mid-thought to revisit the truth, I am reminded of MANY truths – here are just a couple of those:

“As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” -II Samuel 22:31

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

The second thought, from a corporate employment specialist who is a believer and a friend, was just as awesome as the first! He reminded me that oftentimes in the process of making a job change it is easy to lose confidence (sound familiar?) and to lose hope. He said, “That’s when your head droops and you being looking down. But when you look down at your feet, that’s the time to remember that you’re on a solid foundation! So instead of losing hope, let that downward glance cause you to look up to One Who has it all under control!”

“I look to you for help, O Sovereign Lord. You are my refuge….” – Psalm 141:8

There is actually a third awesome thought that I would like to add here, and that is this: These same awesome thoughts apply to all of us. Whatever the need, whatever the sorrow, whatever the loss, whatever the questions that are coming into our minds, His truths are unchanging! So revisit the truth, and keep looking up to the Source of your solid foundation!

 

Thank you for taking time to read “Two Awesome Truths.” Feel free to leave a comment.

By Petals from the Basket | April 17, 2012 | Bible Reading, Friends, Life Changes |