It is difficult to define Hiraeth, but to me it means the consciousness of man being out of his home area and that which is dear to him. That is why it can be felt even among a host of peoples amidst nature's beauty. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
. . like a Christian yearning for Heaven. . .
Friday, June 15, 2007 at 07:21AM In the cicada's cry
No sign can foretell
How soon it must die.
~Basho
This is the year for the 17 year cicadas to emerge. I've been listening--expecting an invasion, a cacophany of sound.
Friday, June 15, 2007 at 07:00AM 
June 15
Home Blessings Extended
The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. (Psalm 128:5)
This is a promise to the God-fearing man who walks in the ways of holiness with earnest heed. He shall have domestic blessedness; his wife and children shall be a source of great home happiness. But then as a member of the church he desires to see the cause prosper, for he is as much concerned for the Lord's house as for his own. When the Lord builds our house, it is but fitting that we should desire to see the Lord's house builded. Our goods are not truly good unless we promote by them the good of the Lord's chosen church.
Yes, you shall get a blessing when you go up to the assemblies of Zion; you shall be instructed, enlivened, and comforted, where prayer and praise ascend and testimony is borne to the great Sacrifice. "The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion."
Nor shall you alone be profited; the church itself shall prosper; believers shall be multiplied, and their holy work shall be crowned with success. Certain gracious men have this promise fulfilled to them as long as they live. Alas! when they die the cause often flags. Let us be among those who bring good things to Jerusalem all their days. Lord, of Thy mercy make us such! Amen.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 10:16AM I just got back from running some errands. I saw two rather arresting sights--both involving Hummers.
The first one was a big, black Hummer in front of me that looked like no one was driving it. The car tank pulled into the left turn lane at the intersection and I pulled into the right turn lane. I looked over and, sure enough, there WAS someone driving:
The oldest, smallest, "little old white haired lady" I have ever seen. She looked like Tweety Bird's Grandma!
I was still grinning from that image when I encountered another big ol' Hummer. If you can really call it a "Hummer"--it was carnation Pink. A quick google search when I got home proves that pink Hummer's aren't all that unusual.
(Is Mary Kay giving away pink Hummer's to top salesladies?)
Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 09:11AM
Today is Flag Day in America. I'm reposting this photo of the flag hanging in Macy's Marshall Fields in Downtown Chicago. I like it.
Today is also the birthday of my niece, Katie. Happy Birthday, Katie!
(Interesting family birthday info: My dad was born on Dec 7 (Pearl Harbor Attack), my sister (Katie's mom) was born on June 6 (Invasion of Normandy) and, as already shared, Katie was born on Flag Day. My brother, Kevin, shares his birthday with John Lennon. Jake was born on the day Ronald Reagan was re-elected. Tom shares his birthday with Sting. Sam shares his birthday with Tolkien.
My birthday? Well, I had to do a search to find out anything interesting about my birthday:
Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 07:59AM 
Lord of my heart, save me from military prowess, that I may always seek Your protection.
Psalm 20
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
9 Save, LORD!
May the King answer us when we call.
My natural response when being "attacked" is to step right up and fight my own battles. You know how it is; you square your shoulders, take a deep breath, whisper a prayer, and then stand in your own strength. Foolishness!
We have a Mighty God Who saves His people with the "strength of His right hand!" The longer I am a Christian the more I am convinced that, not only do I NOT have the strength and wisdom to fight my own battles, I do not even have the wisdom to discern at times which side of the battle is righteous!
And the thing is, neither do you. We all need to seek God's wisdom and His deliverance from situations that require any kind of personal defense.
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 06:42AM June 14
He Constantly Abides
For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake; because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. (1 Samuel 12:22)
God's choice of His people is the reason for His abiding by them and not forsaking them. He chose them for His love, and He loves them for His choice. His own good pleasure is the source of their election, and His election is the reason for the continuance of His pleasure in them. It would dishonor His great name for Him to forsake them, since it would either show that He made an error in His choice or that He was fickle in His love. God's love has this glory, that it never changes, and this glory He will never tarnish.
By all the memories of the Lord's former lovingkindnesses let us rest assured that He will not forsake us. He who has gone so far as to make us His people will not undo the creation of His grace. He has not wrought such wonders for us that He might leave us after all. His Son Jesus has died for us, and we may be sure that He has not died in vain. Can He forsake those for whom He shed His blood? Because He has hitherto taken pleasure in choosing and in saving us, it will be His pleasure still to bless us. Our Lord Jesus is no changeable lover. Having loved His own, He loves them to the end.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 06:06PM I'm baking this cake on Friday for a Saturday dinner party, so check back over the weekend to see pictures.
CHOCOLATE STOUT CAKE
Cake
2 cups stout (such as Guinness)
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process) [I use Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder]
4 cups all purpose flour
4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 large eggs
1 1/3 cups sour cream
Icing
2 cups whipping cream
1 pound bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped [I use 12 oz. bittersweet and 4 oz. semisweet]
For cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter three 8-inch round cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Line with parchment paper. Butter paper. Bring 2 cups stout and 2 cups butter to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.
Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in large bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sour cream in another large bowl to blend. Add stout-chocolate mixture to egg mixture and beat just to combine. Add flour mixture and beat briefly on slow speed. Using rubber spatula, fold batter until completely combined. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Transfer cakes to rack; cool 10 minutes. Turn cakes out onto rack and cool completely. [I only made a 2 layer cake and had enough batter leftover to make an additional 9x13 cake. There was enough frosting for both cakes, frosting only the top and between the layers of the layer cake. Believe me, that is enough!]
For icing:
Bring cream to simmer in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chopped chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Refrigerate until icing is spreadable, stirring frequently, about 2 hours.
Place 1 cake layer on plate. Spread 2/3 cup icing over. Top with second cake layer. Spread 2/3 cup icing over. Top with third cake layer. Spread remaining icing over top and sides of cake.
[I topped ours with a dollop of Devonshire Cream]
Devonshire Creme:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 8 -ounce carton sour cream
Beat whipping cream sugar, and vanilla until stiff. Fold sour cream into this mixture and refrigerate.
Makes [more than] 12 servings.
This cake freezes very nicely, too!
Be sure to check out all the rest of the wonderful dessert recipes tomorrow at Simply A Musing Blog!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 11:09AM 
I told you I had fun yesterday! I made these favors for a bridal shower that my sister in law, Sally, and I are giving for our nephew Joe's fiancee'. We are going with a tea party theme. Each little color coordinated pyramid contains a tea bag. The bookmarks double as place cards.
After the shower, I will post the menu along with the recipes and, hopefully, some pictures of the tablescapes and the food.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 09:19AM Lord of my heart, save me from worldly wealth, that I may always look to the riches of heaven.
Worldly wealth. *grin*
It would seem as though the Lord has already saved me from that! And yet as soon as that quip leaves my fingertips to magically arrange itself on my computer monitor, my grin fades. I realize that, compared to much of the world now and throughout all the ages, I do have worldly wealth. A comfortable home, two cars, warmth in the winter and cool in the summer, abundant food and clean water and a huge library and more worldly blessings that I can count.
But is it wrong to have those things--to enjoy those daily pleasures and privileges? No, not really, for it is God Who bestows blessings upon His people. They are to be enjoyed and appreciated and, acknowledging from whence they come, we should give thanks to Him.
There's more, though. No matter how wonderfully God has blessed us in this life, there is more and we are to seek it:
Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Worldly wealth cannot compare to "the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor 2:9
Post Script:
Providentially, I read a post this morning called Explanations, by Antique Mommy, that addresses this very same subject. I love it when that happens!
Kim from Hiraeth
Still thinking about this. . .
Matthew 6:31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Too often, I think, we I fall into wrong thinking. Too often we I think of Kingdom of God as the big and final "add on" when it is truly the first. Rather, the things of this world that are to be thought of as those things that are added. . .
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 06:59AM June 13
Divine Cultivation
I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: Lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. (Isaiah 27:3)
When the Lord Himself speaks in His own proper person rather than through a prophet, the word has a peculiar weight to believing minds. It is Jehovah Himself who is the keeper of His own vineyard; He does not trust it to any other, but He makes it His own personal care. Are they not well kept whom God Himself keeps?
We are to receive gracious watering, not only every day and every hour "but every moment." How we ought to grow! How fresh and fruitful every plant should be! What rich clusters the vines should bear!
But disturbers come; little foxes and the boar. Therefore, the Lord Himself is our Guardian, and that at all hours, both "night and day." What, then, can harm us? Why are we afraid! He tends, He waters, He guards; what more do we need?
Twice in this verse the Lord says, "I will." What truth, what power, what love, what immutability we find in the great "I will" of Jehovah! Who can resist His will? If He says "I will," what room is there for doubt? With an "I will" of God we can face all the hosts of sin, death, and hell. O Lord, since Thou sayest, "I will keep thee," I reply, "I will praise Thee!"
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 06:43PM Another busy day, today. I kept thinking I'd sit down and write today's "Lord of My Heart, " but the day is getting away from me. I'll return to it tomorrow.
I have been busy with fun things . . . fun pictures to follow. Right now, though, a cold glass of Reisling, a book, and my husband are waiting for me on the patio.
Life is good.
I'll catch up with you later!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 07:48AM June 12
Dwelling Safely Apart
Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew, (Deuteronomy 33:28)
The more we dwell alone, the more safe shall we be. God would have His people separate from sinners, His call to them is, "Come ye out from among them."...A worldly Christian is spiritually diseased. Those who compromise with Christ's enemies may be reckoned with them.
Our safety lies, not in making terms with the enemy, but in dwelling alone with our Best Friend. If we do this, we shall dwell in safety despite the sarcasms, the slanders, and the sneers of the world. We shall be safe from the baleful influence of its unbelief, its pride, its vanity, its filthiness.
God also will make us dwell in safety alone in that day when sin shall be visited on the nations by wars and famines. The Lord brought Abram from Ur of the Chaldees, but Abram stopped halfway. He had no blessing till, having set out to go to the land of Canaan, to the land of Canaan he came, He was safe alone even in the midst of foes. Lot was not safe in Sodom though in a circle of friends. Our safety is in dwelling apart with God.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Monday, June 11, 2007 at 11:40AM Lord of my heart, save me from empty praise, that I may always boast of You.
There is no room for boasting of one's self or one's own accomplishments in the Christian life.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Have I done something/anything "praiseworthy?" Who gave me the ability to do it? Whose good works are they? Who prepared the good works to begin with? Who helps me to "walk in them?"
Any gifts or talents or strengths or knowledge we have have been given to us for a reason--to glorify Him.
Philippians 2:13. . .it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
As Kim from the Upward Call observed today: My life is not my own. I was bought with a price. I realized what that means: my life isn't mine. That means that my decisions are to reflect what He wants, how I am to use what He gave me, and how I am to seek His will and not my own.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart – His wounds have paid my ransom.
Words and Music by Stuart Townend, 1995
Monday, June 11, 2007 at 08:09AM 
Rebecca, of Rebecca Writes, the genius behind the Recipe Roundup, has collected all the information and links for past and future Recipe Roundups in one, easy to find place! Want to know who's hosting this month's Roundup? It's right there! Have questions? That's the place to ask 'em and to find answers. (oh, and while you're there, check out the series Rebecca is doing on Seven Statements about the Son. That's some seriously good reading!)
How can YOU make the Recipe Roundup more easily accessible? Use the lovely button image created by Karen at Simply A Musing Blog (who is also hosting this month's dessert Roundup) along with your recipe post and/or place the button in your side bar and make sure it directs to Rebecca's master post.
Oh, and don't forget--next Roundup is on June 14!
Monday, June 11, 2007 at 06:55AM June 11
No Cause to Blush
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed. (Isaiah 54:4)
We shall not be ashamed of our faith. Carping critics may assail the Scriptures upon which we ground our belief, but every year the Lord will make it more and more clear that in His Book there is no error, no excess, and no omission. It is no discredit to be a simple believer; the faith which looks alone to Jesus is a crown of honor on any man's head and better than a star on his breast.
We shall not be ashamed of our hope. It shall be even as the Lord has said. We shall be fed, led, blest, and rested. Our Lord will come, and then the days of our mourning shall be ended. How we shall glory in the Lord who first gave us lively hope and then gave us that which we hoped for!
We shall not be ashamed of our love. Jesus is to us the altogether lovely, and never, never, shall we have to blush because we have yielded our hearts to Him. The sight of our glorious Well-beloved will justify the most enthusiastic attachment to Him. None will blame the martyrs for dying for Him. When the enemies of Christ are clothed with everlasting contempt, the lovers of Jesus shall find themselves honored by all holy beings, because they chose the reproach of Christ rather than the treasures of Egypt.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 01:08PM "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
Galileo Galilei
Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 09:10AM Lord of my heart, give me trust to console me, that, hungry or well-fed, I may always rely on your mercy.Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Thy Mercy, My God
Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.
Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here.
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.
Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.
Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own,
And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.
Words: John Stocker
Music: Sandra McCracken
Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 07:34AM There is a Higher Throne
There is a higher throne
Than all the world has known
Where sons of God from every tongue
Will one day come
Before the Son we'll stand
Made faultless through the Lamb
Believing hearts find promised grace
Salvation comes
Hear Heaven's voices sing
Their thunderous anthem rings
Through emerald courts and sapphire skies
Their praises rise
All glory wisdom power
Strength thanks and honour are
To God our King who reigns on high
Forever more
And there we'll find our home
Our life before the throne
We'll honour Him in perfect song
Where we belong
He'll wipe each tear-stained eye
As thirst and hunger die
The Lamb becomes our Shepherd King
We'll reign with Him
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Kristyn Lennox, 2003
Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 06:54AM June 10
A Shepherd Secures Them
They shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. (Zephaniah 3:13)
Yesterday we thought of the afflicted and poor people whom the Lord left to be a living seed in a dead world. The prophet says of such that they shall not work iniquity nor speak lies. So that while they had neither rank nor riches to guard them, they were also quite unable to use those weapons in which the wicked place so much reliance: they could neither defend themselves by sin nor by subtlety.
What then? Would they be destroyed? By no means! They should both feed and rest and be not merely free from danger but even quiet from fear of evil. Sheep are very feeble creatures, and wolves are terrible enemies; yet at this hour sheep are more numerous than wolves, and the cause of the sheep is always winning, while the cause of the wolves is always declining. One day flocks of sheep will cover the plains, and not a wolf will be left. The fact is that sheep have a Shepherd, and this gives them provender, protection, and peace. "None"—which means not one, whether in human or diabolical form—"shall make them afraid." Who shall terrify the Lord's Rock when He is near? We lie down in green pastures, for Jesus Himself is food and rest to our souls.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 01:21PM 
I planted this ivy bed last year at the back end of the garden, where it is too shady to grow much of anything.
The ivy is now established and trying it's best to grow into an area of the garden where it is not wanted. So, this morning I decided to add a little rock border--a visual boundary to let us know where to discourage the ivy from growing.
Ever since the boys were old enough to carry a rock home in their grubby little hands, we have collected rocks. The rocks that you see here have been stored in the garage for four years, ever since I collected them out of our snowy backyard before we moved from our last house. In the bottom of the bucket, I found the little index card labels that Sam had made back in first or second grade to sort his rocks from John's. It took me right back to the days when we would never pass an interesting rock by. After all these years of togetherness, how could I engage the rocks in their task as border guard without inviting the signs to come along?
So I laminated them. Twice, for posterity. And when I go to the garden to collect my warm, ripe tomatoes, I will look at the signs and smile.
