Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

October 19
Regulated Chastisement

I will correct thee in measure - Jeremiah 30:11

To be left uncorrected would be a fatal sign: it would prove that the Lord had said, "He is given unto idols, let him alone." God grant that such may never be our portion! Uninterrupted prosperity is a thing to cause fear and trembling. As many as God tenderly loves He rebukes and chastens: those for whom He has no esteem He allows to fatten themselves without fear, like bullocks for the slaughter. It is in love that our heavenly Father uses the rod upon His children.

Yet see, the correction is "in measure": He gives us love without measure but chastisement "in measure." As under the old law no Israelite could receive more than the "forty stripes save one," which ensured careful counting and limited suffering; so is it with each afflicted member of the household of faith-every stroke is counted. It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy, the measure of love, by which our chastisement is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine. Lord, if Thou standest by to measure the bitter drops into my cup, it is for me cheerfully to take that cup from Thy hand and drink according to Thy directions, saying, "Thy will be done."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Recipe Round-up: Freezer Meals

Today's Recipe Round-up can be found at Motherhood Apologia. 

Blender pesto

Servings: 6

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsps. walnuts (I prefer pistacios--see notes below)
2 cloves peeled garlic, lightly crushed with a heavy knife
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tbsps. butter, softened to room temperature

1. Put basil, olive oil, nuts, garlic cloves and salt in a blender (or food processor) and mix at high speed. Stop from time to time to scrape down sides with a rubber spatula.

2. When ingredients are blended, pour them into a bowl and beat in cheese.

3. When cheese has been evenly incorporated into the other ingredients, beat in butter.

4. Before spooning pesto over pasta, add a tablespoon or two of the hot water in which the pasta has boiled.

If freezing this pesto, blend the basil, olive oil, nuts, garlic cloves, cheese and salt in a blender and freeze. To use, thaw the pesto mixture and then add the butter.  I freeze little tiny portions in ice cube trays and then pop them out when they are frozen and store them in a freezer bag.  They thaw quickly and all it takes is a tablespoon of soft butter to finish.  I've also dropped a cube  of frozen pesto to flavor soups and sauces.

I took Alton Brown's advice last year and substituted pistatios for the traditional pine nuts (too expensive) or walnuts (hard to get really fresh walnuts).  It's a lot of shelling, but I think we liked it better!

Here's a recipe that I shared in a previous Round-up which uses the small portions:

Bistro Chicken Sandwich 

In 15 Words or Less Poems/Poetry Friday

Today I am again combining Thursday's "In 15 Words or Less" with "Poetry Friday."

 "In 15 Words or Less" is a Photo/Poetry Challenge.  Each week, a new photo is posted at LauraSalas and the challenge is to write a poem in 15 Words or Less.  I have given myself an additional challenge:  do it in 15 minutes or less.  Today's took only two or three minutes to compose.  It gets easier.  I promise. Why don't you give it a go?  Here's mine:

Drips and Drops

Drips and drops
Gather together.
Running off swiftly,
Cutting rivulets,
Swirling eddies;
Ocean calm.

Writing and Ruminating is hosting Poetry Friday tomorrow.  You can find more Poetry Friday entries over there.  If you want to play along, you can always find the hosting schedule for Poetry Friday in the sidebar at Big A little a

Update on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 07:23AM by Kim from Hiraeth

The very poetic Miss M has taken me up on my challenge!  You can find her poem, Every Heart Has a Silver Lining , here.

So has my ever so pensive friend, Robin, at Pensieve.  Her entries can be found here. 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

October 18
Tears, Then Joyful Harvest

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy - Psalm 126:5

Weeping times are suitable for sowing: we do not want the ground to be too dry. Seed steeped in the tears of earnest anxiety will come up all the sooner. The salt of prayerful tears will give the good seed a flavor which will preserve it from the worm: truth spoken in awful earnestness has a double life about it. Instead of stopping our sowing because of our weeping, let us redouble our efforts because the season is so propitious.

Our heavenly seed could not fitly be sown laughing. Deep sorrow and concern for the souls of others are a far more fit accompaniment of godly teaching than anything like levity. We have heard of men who went to war with a light heart, but they were beaten; and it is mostly so with those who sow in the same style.

Come, then, my heart, sow on in thy weeping, for thou has the promise of a joyful harvest. Thou shalt reap. Thou, thyself, shalt see some results of thy labor. This shall come to thee in so large a measure as to give thee joy, which a poor, withered, and scanty harvest would not do. When thine eyes are dim with silver tears, think of the golden corn. Bear cheerfully the present toil and disappointment; for the harvest day will fully recompense thee.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

The Terrible Trap

We are inclined to think that everything that happens is to be turned into useful teaching. In actual fact, it is to be turned into something even better than teaching, namely, character. The mountaintop is not meant to teach us anything, it is meant to make us something. There is a terrible trap in always asking, "What’s the use of this experience?" We can never measure spiritual matters in that way. The moments on the mountaintop are rare moments, and they are meant for something in God’s purpose.

Oswald Chambers 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

October 17
Holy Fear

He that feareth the Commandment shall be rewarded - Proverbs 13:13

Holy awe of God's Word is at a great discount. Men think themselves wiser than the Word of the Lord and sit in judgment upon it. "So did not I, because of the fear of God." We accept the inspired Book as infallible and prove our esteem by our obedience. We have no terror of the Word, but we have a filial awe of it. We are not in fear of its penalties because we have a fear of its commands.

This holy fear of the commandment produces the restfulness of humility, which is far sweeter than the recklessness of pride. It becomes a guide to us in our movements: a drag when we are going downhill and a stimulus when we are climbing it. Preserved from evil and led into righteousness by our reverence of the command, we gain a quiet conscience, which is a well of wine; a sense of freedom from responsibility, which is as life from the dead; and a confidence of pleasing God, which is heaven below. The ungodly may ridicule our deep reverence for the Word of the Lord; but what of that?  The prize of our high calling is a sufficient consolation for us. The rewards of obedience make us scorn the scorning of the scorner.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Just One More

Wahoo!  The Indians are in the drivers seat now!  Can't wait to see them shake the Jake on Thursday!

 

Gotta love that smile! 

Rockies Rock

This is the last time you'll hear it from me (unless the Red Sox prevail over the Tribe--perish the thought).  The Colorado Rockies clinched last night, as expected.  They are smokin'--even Rosemary is following and may very well end up a baseball/Rockies fan!

I feel quite confident (for now!) about the Indians' chances of making it to the World Series.  I'm feeling less confident about how they will stand up to the Rockies.

Which makes it all wonderfully exciting, don't you think? 

Leftovers for Lunch

Ever made magic with leftovers?  Sure you have.  Here's a way to use leftovers that is really more like a really good dish.  I'll be making it "on purpose."

I found two small slices of roast pork loin wrapped in a piece of foil and some mushrooms that needed to be used in the next day or two, so I decided I'd see what I could do with them.

 I sauteed the mushrooms in butter, allowing the butter to finish foaming before tossing in the mushrooms.  Once the mushrooms are golden brown (nothing really gets as "golden brown" as sauteed mushrooms), add the pork (or any other leftover meat you may have on hand) and let it heat for a while.  Then deglaze the pan with just enough half and half to sort of coat the bottom of the pan once it spreads out, scraping up all the brown bits.  Heat on low until the half and half reduces to a coating that brings the mushrooms and meat together.  I'm cutting back on carbs, so I ate mine without a potato, but it would be good on a baked potato or leftover noodles.  I'll bet you could brown some leftover potatoes with the mushrooms if you had them.

Have you made magic with leftovers recently?  Why don't you leave your "leftover recipe" on your blog and link back here.  I'll link back to you. 

Update on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 07:56AM by Kim from Hiraeth

Ellen  and I must be on the same wavelength this week!  She posted a great leftover recipe on her blog today.

Check it out! 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

October 16
One With Christ Jesus

Because I live, ye shall live also - John 14:19

Jesus has made the life of believers in Him as certain as His own. As sure as the Head lives the members live also. If Jesus has not risen from the dead, then are we dead in our sins; but since He has risen, all believers are risen in Him. His death has put away our transgressions and loosed the bonds which held us under the death sentence. His resurrection proves our justification: we are absolved, and mercy saith, "The Lord hath put away thy sin, thou shalt not die."

Jesus has made the life of His people as eternal as His own. How can they die as long as He lives, seeing they are one with Him? Because He dieth no more, and death hath no more dominion over Him, so they shall no more return to the graves of their old sins but shall live unto the Lord in newness of life. O believer, when, under great temptation, thou fearest that thou shalt one day fall by the hand of the enemy, let this reassure thee. Thou shalt never lose thy spiritual life, for it is hid with Christ in God. Thou dost not doubt the immortality of thy Lord; therefore, do not think that He will let thee die, since thou art one with Him. The argument for thy life is His life, and of that thou canst have no fear; wherefore rest in thy living Lord.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Up by One

 CLEVELAND ROCKS!

Playoffs

I must admit I was way wrong on the Colorado Rockies.  Can anybody stop them?  Or is the National League just that weak?  In all my years of watching baseball I’ve never seen a team play this well at the end of the season.  Oh sure, teams have swept series before, but I can’t remember any team being this hot when every game counts just to get to the playoffs, and then sustaining it when they get there.  It’s amazing.  The Rockies are one of those teams where the whole seems greater than the sum of its parts.  

 As for the American League, Cleveland came out of Boston in great shape after winning Saturday night’s game.  On Friday night, they lost to Josh Beckett, probably the best pitcher in baseball right now.  Then they persevered in game two to win in extra innings.  Even though I’m a die hard Tribe fan, I couldn’t stay awake long enough to see the win.  

Does playoff baseball seem interminably slow?  Every game seems like it takes forever.  Now it’s back to the Jake for the next three games.  Here’s hoping Cleveland takes at least two out of three to put the pressure on Boston.  

Go Tribe

Tom 

Kim here.

I don't have much to add except, "Man, O Manny," I wish Manny Ramirez was still an Indian!

I'm having some conflicted feelings right about now.  I confess that I am rooting for the Rockies to win the NL, (are they exciting or what!?!)  but the thought of facing them in the World Series fills me with dread.  Even if the Indians can manage to get past Boston,  it would take a miracle for them to overcome  this year's  apparent "team of destiny."

Good thing I believe in miracles.

Go Tribe. 

Kim 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

October 15
Sustained By Feeding

As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by Me - John 6:57

We live by virtue of our union with the Son of God. As God-man Mediator, the Lord Jesus lives by the self-existent Father who has sent Him, and in the same manner we live by the Savior who has quickened us. He who is the source of our life is also the sustenance of it. Living is sustained by feeding. We must support the spiritual life by spiritual food, and that spiritual food is the LORD Jesus. Not His life, or death, or offices, or work, or word alone, but Himself, as including all these. On Jesus Himself we feed.

This is set forth to us in the Lord's Supper, but it is actually enjoyed by us when we meditate upon our Lord, believe in Him with appropriating faith, take Him into ourselves by love, and assimilate Him by the power of the inner life. We know what it is to feed on Jesus, but we cannot speak it or write it. Our wisest course is to practice it and to do so more and more. We are entreated to eat abundantly, and it will be to our infinite profit to do so when Jesus is our meat and our drink. Lord, I thank Thee that this, which is a necessity of my new life, is also its greatest delight. So, I do at this hour feed on Thee.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Poem: Falling Leaves

Sunday Hymn: Sing, O Sing, of My Redeemer

Sing, O Sing, of My Redeemer

I will sing of my Redeemer
And his wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross he suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
On the cross he sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In his boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I'll tell,
How the victory he giveth
Over sin and death and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer
And his heav'nly love to me;
He from death to life has brought me,
Son of God, with him to be.

Blue Trinity  Hymnal

#681 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

October 14
Never Ashamed

Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in Heaven - Matthew 10:32

Gracious promise! It is a great joy to me to confess my Lord. Whatever my faults may be, I am not ashamed of Jesus, nor do I fear to declare the doctrines of His cross. O Lord, I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart.

Sweet is the prospect which the text sets before me! Friends forsake and enemies exult, but the Lord does not disown His servant. Doubtless my Lord will own me even here and give me new tokens of His favorable regard. But there comes a day when I must stand before the great Father. What bliss to think that Jesus will confess me then! He will say, "This man truly trusted Me and was willing to be reproached for My name's sake; and therefore I acknowledge him as Mine." The other day a great man was made a knight, and the Queen handed him a jeweled garter; but what of that? It will be an honor beyond all honors for the Lord Jesus to confess us in the presence of the divine Majesty in the heavens. Never let me be ashamed to own my Lord. Never let me indulge a cowardly silence or allow a fainthearted compromise. Shall I blush to own Him who promises to own me?

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Quote of the Week: Calvin

Union with Christ

We see that our whole salvation and all its parts are comprehended in Christ. We should therefore take care not to derive the least portion of it from anywhere else.

If we seek salvation, we are taught by the very name of Jesus that it is 'of him.'

If we seek any other gifts of the Spirit, they will be found in His anointing.

If we seek strength, it lies in His dominion;

if purity, in His conception;

if gentleness, it appears in His birth.....

If we seek redemption, it lies in His passion;

if acquittal, in His condemnation;

if remission of the curse, in His cross;

if satisfaction, in His sacrifice;

if purification, in His blood;

if reconciliation, in His descent into hell;

if mortification of the flesh, in His tomb;

if newness of life, in His resurrection;

if immortality, in the same;

if inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom, in His entrance into heaven;

if protection, if security, if abundant supply of all blessings, in His kingdom;

if untroubled expectation of judgment, in the power given to Him to judge.

In short, since rich store of every kind of good abounds in Him, let us drink our fill from this fountain, and from no other.

(from Calvin's Institutes)

Art

I have a little widget on my Google Homepage called "Art of the Day."  Today's entry really caught my attention:

 

From the link: 

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

Jesus' Disappearance From Emmaus

drawing with pen and brush (20 × 18 cm) — ca. 1648-49
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (UK)

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn biography

The description said it was one of only a few works that show Jesus' disappearance.  That intrigued me enough to follow this link, where I found the Biblical reference (Luke 24:31) at a website that melds Biblical Art with the text of Scripture.  Have you seen it before? 

Art and the Bible 

I was delighted to see my favorite artist,  Albrecht Dürer, featured on the Home Page. 

I'll be spending some time tomorrow exploring this website.  Right now, the "girls" are waiting; I'm off to walk the dogs. 

Waiting for a treat

Ivy can taste the treat already! Both wait very patiently when they know they are going to get a treat!

Concentration

"Little Miss Intensity" waits for the ball.