Check Book of the Bank of Faith

July 6
His Love; His Gift; His Son

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Of all the stars in the sky, the polestar is the most useful to the mariner. This text is a polestar, for it has guided more souls to salvation than any other Scripture. It is among promises what the Great Bear is among constellations.

Several words in it shine with peculiar brilliance. Here we have God's love with a "so" to it, which marks its measureless greatness. Then we have God's gift in all its freeness and greatness. This also is God's Son, that unique and priceless gift of a love which could never fully show itself till heaven's Only-begotten had been sent to live and die for men. These three points are full of light.

Then there is the simple requirement of believing, which graciously points to a way of salvation suitable for guilty men. This is backed by a wide description—"whosoever believeth in him." Many have found room in "whosoever" who would have felt themselves shut out by a narrower word. Then comes the great promise, that believers in Jesus shall not perish but have everlasting life. This is cheering to every man who feels that he is ready to perish and that he cannot save himself. We believe in the Lord Jesus, and we have eternal life.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Check Book of the Bank of Faith

July 5
Complete Deliverance

But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord; and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. (Jeremiah 39:17)

When the Lord's faithful ones are suffering for Him, they shall have sweet messages of love from Himself, and sometimes they shall have glad tidings for those who sympathize with them and help them. Ebed-melech was only a despised Ethiopian, but he was kind to Jeremiah, and so the Lord sent him this special promise by the mouth of His prophet. Let us be ever mindful of God's persecuted servants, and He will reward us.

Ebed-melech was to be delivered from the men whose vengeance he feared. He was a humble... man, but Jehovah would take care of him. Thousands were slain by the Chaldeans, but [he] could not be hurt. We, too, may be fearful of some great ones who are bitter against us; but if we have been faithful to the Lord's cause in the hour of persecution, He will be faithful to us. After all, what can a man do without the Lord's permission? He puts a bit into the mouth of rage and a bridle upon the head of power. Let us fear the Lord, and we shall have no one else to fear. No cup of cold water given to a despised prophet of God shall be without its reward; and if we stand up for Jesus, Jesus will stand up for us.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Short Cuts: Day Seven, Take Two

A backward poet writes inverse.

Short Cuts: Day Seven, Take One

Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

Independence Day

1851 Peter F. Rothermel's "Patrick Henry Before the Virginia House of Burgesses"

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775

 (last year's post on the Declaration of Independence)

Check Book of the Bank of Faith

July 4
The Word, Necessary Food

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

If God so willed it we could live without bread, even as Jesus did for forty days; but we could not live without His Word. By that Word we were created, and by it alone can we be kept in being, for he sustaineth all things by the Word of His power. Bread is a second cause; the Lord Himself is the first source of our sustenance. He can work without the second cause as well as with it; and we must not tie Him down to one mode of operation. Let us not be too eager after the visible, but let us look to the invisible God. We have heard believers say that in deep poverty, when bread ran short, their appetites became short, too; and to others, when common supplies failed, the Lord has sent in unexpected help.

But we must have the Word of the Lord. With this alone we can withstand the devil. Take this from us, and our enemy will have us in his power, for we shall soon faint. Our souls need food, and there is none for them outside of the Word of the Lord. All the books and all the preachers in the world cannot furnish us a single meal: it is only the Word from the mouth of God that can fill the mouth of a believer. Lord, evermore give us this bread. We prize it above royal dainties.  Amen.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Short Cuts: Day Six, Take Two

He had a photographic memory which was never developed.

Short Cuts: Day Six, Take One

A calendar's days are numbered.

Check Book of the Bank of Faith

July 3
A Guide All the Way

He will be my guide even unto death. (Psalm 48:14)

We need a guide. Sometimes we would give all that we have to be told exactly what to do and where to turn. We are willing to do right, but we do not know which one of two roads we are to follow. Oh, for a guide!

The Lord our God condescends to serve us as guide. He knows the way and will pilot us along it till we reach our journey's end in peace. Surely we do not desire more infallible direction. Let us place ourselves absolutely under His guidance, and we shall never miss our way. Let us make Him our God, and we shall find Him our guide. If we follow His law we shall not miss the right road of life, provided we first learn to lean upon Him in every step that we take.

Our comfort is that as He is our God forever and ever, He will never cease to be with us as our guide. "Even unto death" will He lead us, and then we shall dwell with Him eternally and go no more out forever. This promise of divine guidance involves lifelong security: salvation at once, guidance unto our last hour, and then endless blessedness. Should not each one seek this in youth, rejoice in it in middle life, and repose in it in old age? This day let us look up for guidance before we trust ourselves out-of-doors.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Short Cuts: Day Five, Take Two

Acupuncture: a jab well done.

A Public Thanks

For a very private person.

 My sister in law, Sally.  Some of you know her as Sally S.

Sally and I gave the shower together this weekend.  Cooking just isn't Sally's thing.  Neither is party planning.  Her thing is serving, quietly, in the background.  And encouraging others--especially encouraging others.

I do not exaggerate one bit when I say that  I could NEVER have pulled it off without Sally's help in the kitchen.  The prep stuff is easy--like they say, you can eat an elephant one bite at a time.  But without Sally's help in filling bowls and plates and garnishing, the whole thing would have been a nightmare.  When you get right down to it, the devil is in the details and it was Sally's work that made it all come together.  It truly couldn't've been a success without her.

It's the stuff that goes on behind the scenes that makes or breaks an event.  

 Thank you, Sally.

Now I know. . .

 
. . . what all the fuss is about

Short Cuts: Day Five, Take One

Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

Check Book of the Bank of Faith

July 2
Refreshing Sleep

So he giveth his beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:2)

Ours is not a life of anxious care but of happy faith. Our heavenly Father will supply the wants of His own children, and He knoweth what we have need of before we ask Him. We may therefore go to our beds at the proper hour and not wear ourselves out by sitting up late to plot, and plan, and contrive. If we have learned to rely upon our God, we shall not lie awake with fear gnawing at our hearts; but we shall leave our care with the Lord, our meditation of Him shall be sweet, and He will give us refreshing sleep.

To be the Lord's beloved is the highest possible honor, and he who has it may feel that ambition itself could desire no more, and therefore every selfish wish may go to sleep. What more is there even in heaven than the love of God? Rest, then, O soul, for thou hast all things. Yet we toss to and fro unless the Lord Himself gives us not only the reasons for rest but rest itself. Yea, He doth this. Jesus Himself is our peace, our rest, our all, On His bosom we sleep in perfect security, both in life and in death.

Sprinkled afresh with pardoning blood,

I lay me down to rest

As in the embraces of my God,

Or on my Saviour's breast.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Tea Party Recipes

Carrot citrus ginger soup

Ingredients:
3 Tbsps. olive oil
1 small onion, coarsely chopped
1 piece (2 inches long) ginger root, peeled, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 cans (14.5 ounces each) low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup honey
1 cup orange juice
1 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. salt

Heat oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven; add onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften, about 2 minutes. Add ginger; cook 1 minute. Add garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Add carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly tender, about 5 minutes.

Add broth; increase heat to high. Cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Lower heat to medium; cook until carrots are easily pierced with a fork, but not mushy. Remove from heat.  Strain broth from solids. Return broth to pan and add honey and orange juice.  Place solids (carrots, onion, and ginger root) to food processor and process until smooth.  Return to pot and whisk together with broth mixture.  When ready to serve, add butter, salt and heat.

Servings: 6

Deviled Chicken with Pecans on Brown Bread

Two cups ground chicken (chicken breasts, poached in chicken broth and ground in food processor)
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
2 T finely minced mild onion (I use Texas sweet)
add just enough mayonnaise to bring it together and make it spreadable

Salmon with Cucumbers on White Bread

Two cups fresh, poached salmon, flaked and mashed
1/3 c. cucumber, peeled and seeded; minced fine
add just enough mayonnaise to bring it together and make it spreadable

Spread bread with chive butter before assembling sandwiches

Chive Butter

        1 stick soft butter
        scant 1/4 c. fresh, chopped chives

Queen Adelaide Sandwich on Rye Bread

1 cup ground ham, fat and rind removed
1 cup ground chicken
1 scallion, finely minced (use less than an inch of the green only)
heavy cream--just enough to bind it together and make it spreadable 

(this sandwich is said to have been King George IV's favorite)

A sprig of parsley is served to tip the guests that there is garlic or onion in the filling. 

Elmwood Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
6 Tablespoons unsalted cold butter
1/2 cups currants
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 Tablespoon cream
1 Tablespoon sugar
 
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.  Combine flour, baking powder, salt and soda.  With a pastry blender, cut in butter, mixing it until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Mix in currants.
 
Whisk buttermilk and egg together, then add to flour mixture.  Stir together until a soft ball of dough forms.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently, turning five or six times.
 
Roll out dough with a floured rolling pin to about 1/2 inch thickness, Using a cookie cutter or biscuit cutter, cut scones out and place on baking sheet.  Brush the tops lightly with cream and sprinkle with sugar.  Bake 10 -12 minutes or until light brown.  Serve warm with lemon curd, clotted cream, or preserves.
Makes about one dozen depending on size of cutter.

Devonshire Cream
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.  Serve with warm scones.

Lemon Curd
3 eggs                                               
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup sugar
 
In top part of a double boiler, beat eggs until frothy.  Stir in lemon juice, sugar and melted butter.  Place over simmering water.  Stir constantly for 20 minutes.
The mixture should become slightly thickened.  Remove from heat and spoon into a pint-sized container.  Cool to room temperature, cover and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.  Keeps well for two weeks.

Lavender Lemonade

Make a lavender infusion:

2 1/2 c. water and 1 cup sugar.  Heat to a simmer.  Remove from heat and add 3 T dried lavender (you can buy it at World Market in the Spice section or use your own, dried flowers (remove from stem--no leaves).  Allow infusion to cool to room temperature, strain, cover, and place in the refrigerator.

When you get ready to make the lemonade, substitute 1 can of the lavender infusion for 1 of the cans of water.  I use pink lemonade and it makes it a deep, rosy red.

The lavender infusion can be used to sweeten hot or iced tea, too.

We'll see if we can get my sister in law, Sally, to share her sugar cookie recipe with us!
 

Bridal Shower Pictures

Bridal Shower Tea Party Menu

Soup course:         

Carrot Citrus Ginger Soup~~
Garnished with a dollop of sour cream, carrot curl and fresh, chopped chives

Sandwich Course:   

Deviled Chicken with Pecans on Whole Wheat~~
Salmon with Cucumbers on White Bread~~
Queen Adelaide Sandwich on Rye Bread~~

garnished with fresh parsley sprig and grape cluster

Dessert Course:       

Elmwood Scones~~
topped with Lemon Curd and Devonshire cream
Sugar Cookies
garnished with English Ivy

            Teas:              

Black Tea
Earl Grey Tea
Black, Decaffeinated

Sugar, lemon wedges, milk, honey         
Lavender Lemonade~~

 

~~recipes to follow

Quote of the Week: Machen

After listening to modern tirades against the great creeds of the Church, one receives a shock when one turns to the Westminster Confession. . .and discovers that in so doing, one has turned from shallow modern phrases to a "dead orthodoxy" that is pulsating with life in every word.  In such orthodoxy there is life enough to set the whole world aglow with Christian love.

~J. Gresham Machen

Poetry Friday: Kipling

 

The Glory of the Garden

Our England is a garden that is full of stately views,
Of borders, beds and shrubberies and lawns and avenues,
With statues on the terraces and peacocks strutting by;
But the Glory of the Garden lies in more than meets the eye.

For where the old thick laurels grow, along the thin red wall,
You will find the tool- and potting-sheds which are the heart of all ;
The cold-frames and the hot-houses, the dungpits and the tanks:
The rollers, carts and drain-pipes, with the barrows and the planks.                                  

And there you'll see the gardeners, the men and 'prentice boys
Told off to do as they are bid and do it without noise;
For, except when seeds are  planted and we shout to scare the birds,
The Glory of the Garden it abideth not in words.

And some can pot begonias and some can bud a rose,
And some are hardly fit to trust with anything that grows;
But they can roll and trim the lawns and sift the sand and loam,
For the Glory of the Garden occupieth all who come.

Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made
By singing:--"Oh, how beautiful!" and sitting in the shade,
While better men than we go out and start their working lives
At grubbing weeds from gravel-paths with broken dinner-knives

There's not a pair of legs so thin, there's not a head so thick,
There's not a hand so weak and white, nor yet a heart so sick.
But it can find some needful job that's crying to be done,
For the Glory of the Garden glorifieth every one.

Then seek your job with thankfulness and work till further orders,
If it's only netting strawberries or killing slugs on borders;
And when your back stops aching and your hands begin to harden,
You will find yourself a partner in the Glory of the Garden.

Oh, Adam was a gardener, and God who made him sees
That half a proper gardener's work is done upon his knees,
So when your work is finished, you can wash your hand and pray
For the Glory of the Garden, that it may not pass away!
And the Glory of the Garden it shall never pass away!

 

~Rudyard Kipling 

 

This week's Poetry Friday is being hosted at Shaken and Stirred.

Check Book of the Bank of Faith

June 29
Invitation to Pray

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (Jeremiah 33:3)

God encourages us to pray. They tell us that prayer is a pious exercise which has no influence except upon the mind engaged in it. We know better. Our experience gives the lie a thousand times over to this infidel assertion. Here Jehovah, the living God, distinctly promises to answer the prayer of His servant. Let us call upon Him again and admit no doubt upon the question of His hearing us and answering us. He that made the ear, shall He not hear? He that gave parents a love to their children, will He not listen to the cries of His own sons and daughters!

God will answer His pleading people in their anguish. He has wonders in store for them. What they have never seen, heard of, or dreamed of, He will do for them. He will invent new blessings if needful. He will ransack sea and land to feed them: He will send every angel out of heaven to succor them if their distress requires it. He will astound us with His grace and make us feel that it was never before done in this fashion. All He asks of us is that we will call upon Him. He cannot ask less of us. Let us cheerfully render Him our prayers at once.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Short Cuts: Day Four, Take Two

Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I'll show you A-flat miner.