Sunday Hymn: Oh, Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee

OH LORD, HOW SHALL I MEET THEE

O Lord, how shall I meet thee,
How welcome thee aright?
Thy people long to greet thee,
My hope, my heart's delight!
O, kindle, Lord, most holy,
Thy lamp within my breast
To do in spirit lowly
All that may please thee best.

Love caused thine incarnation,
Love brought thee down to me;
Thy thirst for my salvation
Procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling,
That led thee to embrace,
In love all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race!

Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn o'er joys departed
And tremble at your doom.
Despair not, he is near you,
Yea, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you
And bids you weep no more.

Sin's debt, that fearful burden,
Let not your soul distress;
Your guilt the Lord will pardon
And cover by his grace.
He comes, for men procuring
The peace of sin forgiv'n,
For all God's sons securing
Their heritage in heav'n.

Trinity Hymnal #119

Quote of the Week: Barrie

Always be a little kinder than necessary.

James M. Barrie

Recipe: Lemon Rosemary Chicken Hash

Tuesday I made a recipe from my friend, Shanna's, blog--Food Loves Writing:  Roasted Lemon Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots.  It was GORGEOUS!  The chicken skin was browned and crispy, the meat was moist and tender, the potatoes (white, red, and sweet) were beautifully caramelized.

Did you notice I never said it was delicious?  Sadly, I couldn't smell or taste a thing on Tuesday because of my dreadful cold.  But Tom and the boys COULD taste it and they thought it was great and said that they wouldn't mind having it again as soon as I am able to taste again.

There was quite a bit of chicken left once I picked the bones and a few potatoes, too.  I had Tom taste the pan drippings and he thought they were really, really good, so I put the potatoes in one refrigerator container and the chicken and drippings in another, along with the juice from the platter.

Today I made a really yummy hash from the leftovers.  If you've ever made a hash before, you know it's pretty standard--leftover meat, leftover potaotes, (veggies if you have 'em) and broth.  Brown the potatoes in a non-stick pan, add the meat and broth, salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle with flour to coat and then cook until the liquid reduces, then slip a little butter under the hash and brown.  Simple.

I put a little more effort into this one and it was worth it.

I started my sauteeing some thinly sliced and chopped onion and celery.  Then I added the potatoes and followed the usual routine.  Before I started the browning process, I added some finely minced, fresh rosemary and lemon zest--about a tablespoon of each.  It was so good; lemony and herby, richly caramelized, savory YUM!

If I were you, I'd make Shanna's Roast Chicken tomorrow and my hash on Sunday.  Really. 

Next time I make this (yes, there will be a next time!) I think I'll increase the rosemary, either that or not mince it so fine. 

Ivy

Thankful Thursday 2010

After being sick for a week, I am so thankful that, since Monday, each day I'm getting better. I was well enough to thoroughly clean the house this morning and then spend a few hours this afternoon over at my friend, Dorothy's house for a cup of tea and conversation.  It was good to get out of the house and even better to engage in interesting, encouraging conversation.  We talked about lots of things; history, politics, scripture, babies, books, reading--the usual kind of wide ranging conversation we enjoy--but today it was especially sweet since I've been 'out of it' for a week.

There's nothing like being really sick to make you appreciate feeling well!  It also made me realize how often I complain about aches and pains and tiredness when, really, I should be grateful for the many blessings God has given me!  One of the scriptures Dorothy and I talked about was Philippians 4:6-8:

[d]o not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

I'm so thankful that God has blessed me with a friend like Dorothy who is an example to me and exemplifies verse nine:

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

OH!  I'm also thankful that I will be seeing Elliott and Madelyn tomorrow night!  I've missed them so much!  I'll be taking the camera so get ready for some pictures!

It's a glorious sunshine-y day today--the sun is streaming in the windows in all the 'almost springtime' spots.  The icicles are dripping like crazy and the air smells clean and fresh.  How do I know that?  Well, I don't really because I still can't smell (or taste) much but somehow I just know fresh air when I 'see' and feel it!  I know we're not done with winter but I'm so very thankful that spring is on its way!

I'm joining my friend, Kim from the Upward Call,  and others in giving thanks each Thursday in 2010.  Won't you join us?

Quote of the Week: Calvin

As often as we call God the Creator of heaven and earth, let us remember that the distribution of all the things which he created are in his hand and power, but that we are his sons, whom he has undertaken to nourish and bring up in allegiance to him, that we may expect the substance of all good from him alone, and have full hope that he will never suffer us to be in want of things necessary to salvation, so as to leave us dependent on some other source; that in everything we desire we may address our prayers to him, and, in every benefit we receive, acknowledge his hand, and give him thanks; that thus allured by his great goodness and beneficence, we may study with our whole heart to love and serve him.

John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book One, Chapter 16

Elliott and Madelyn

This poor Grandma hasn't seen her grandbabies since Wednesday.  I've been sick with a nasty cold since Thursday and can't be around them, but John has been sending pictures to my phone.

Yesterday, he sent me a series of pictures of Madelyn getting a bath.  They reminded me so much of one of my favorite pictures of Elliott when he was a newborn, so I put them together in a comparison shot:

And here's a picture he sent of the two of them together:

Aren't they sweet?

Sunday Hymn: Thee We Adore, Eternal LORD!

Thee We Adore Eternal Lord

Thee we adore, eternal Lord!
We praise thy name with one accord.
Thy saints, who here thy goodness see,
Through all the world do worship thee.

To thee aloud all angels cry,
The heavens and all the pow'rs on high:
Thee, holy, holy, holy king,
Lord God of hosts, they ever sing.

Apostles join the glorious throng,
And prophets swell th'immortal song;
Thy martyrs' noble army raise
Eternal anthems to thy praise.

From day to day, O Lord, do we
Exalt and highly honor thee!
Thy name we worship and adore,
World without end, for evermore.

Trinity Hymnal #18

Meet a Master Calligrapher

Here's an interesting video of Master Calligrapher, Paul Antonio.  I especially enjoy seeing the images of his studio--jars and jars and jars of pens!

Lost and Found

This morning I rediscovered an old blogging friend.  She had taken a rest from blogging and I lost her.  This morning, a series of seredipitous clicks led me back to my old friend.

Shanna has a new blog, devoted to food--and everything else.  If you're a foodie, or even if you're not, why don't you hop over to Shanna's blog, Food Loves Writing, and say hello.  Tell her Kim sent you.

I think you'll be hooked.

Thankful Thursday 2010

I'm sick today.  Runny nose, cough, headache, sore throat--the whole nine yards.

I'm thankful that I was able to stay home and take a nap this afternoon, even though that meant cancelling our Thursday afternon Bible study. 

I'm thankful for understanding friends.

I'm thankful for hot ginger tea with honey, soft tissues, and cough drops.

And everytime I get sick, I stop and appreciate how seldom I really do get sick!

'night, all.  Hopefully, tomorrow I'll be thankful that I'm feeling better!

I'm joining Kim, from the Upward Call, in giving thanks on Thursdays.  Happy Birthday, Kim!  I'm thankful for your friendship!

Quote of the Week: The Joy of Birth

Of all the joys that lighten suffering earth, what joy is welcomed like a newborn child?
Dorothy L. Nolte 

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. John 16:21

More Madelyn

Sunday Hymn: Break Thou the Bread of Life

BREAK THOU THE BREAD OF LIFE

Break thou the bread of life,
Dear Lord, to me,
As thou didst break the loaves
Beside the sea;
Throughout the sacred page
I seek thee, Lord,
My spirit pants for thee,
O living Word.

Bless thou the truth, dear Lord,
To me, to me,
As thou didst bless the bread
By Galilee;
Then shall all bondage cease,
All fetters fall;
And I shall find my peace,
My All in all.

Thou art the Bread of Life,
O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth
That saveth me;
Give me to eat and live
With thee above;
Teach me to love thy truth,
For thou art love.

O send thy Spirit, Lord,
Now unto me,
That he may touch mine eyes,
And make me see:
Show me the truth concealed
Within thy Word,
And in thy Book revealed
I see the Lord.

Trinity Hymnal #256

Meet my Granddaughter

Madelyn Ailene Shenberger

Born February 13, 2010 at 10:50 am

7 pounds, 13 ounces      21+ inches

Grandpa and Grandma are over the moon!  What a sweet little Valentine!

Thankful Thursday 2010

It's February in Chicagoland.  We've had over 12 inches of snow this week. 

I'm thankful for my snow blower and bright sunshine and blue skies.

I'm thankful that Eve is having a pretty good week; she has played with Ivy twice in the past few days and she seems to be 'sharper' somehow. More alert.

I'm thankful that my grand daughter, Madelyn, will be here soon. 

I'm thankful for the beautiful Valentine flowers on my dining room table.  (I bought them for myself!)

I'm thankful that my former pastor's heart attack was mild and that he should make a full recovery.

I'm thankful that Americans are waking up and paying attention to what is going on in Washington.

I'm thankful for a quiet afternoon and time for a short nap.

I am thankful for time to reflect on this good day

I am thankful.

I've got some catching up to do!

R.C. Sproul’s Most Influential Books (books I've read in bold)

1. The Freedom of the Will, Edwards
2. The Bondage of the Will, Luther
3. Institutes of the Christian Religion, Calvin
4. God in Modern Philosophy, Collins
5. A Time for Truth, Simons
6. Charity and Its Fruits, Edwards
7. The Person of Christ, Berkhouwer
8. Gospel Fear, Burroughs
9. Gospel Worship, Burroughs
10. Institutes of Elenctic Theology (3 Vol.), Turretin
11. Principles of Conduct, Murray
12. A Christian View of Men & Things, Clark
13. Thales to Dewey, Clark
14. Here I Stand, Bainton
15. A Simple Way to Pray, Luther*  (not sure; if this is a small pamphlet, then yes)
16. The Coming of the Kingdom, Ridderbos

My list is a little different.  It would include:

Jonathan Edwards, Vol I and II

Knowing God,  J. I. Packer

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God,  J. I. Packer

Chosen by God, R.C. Sproul

Christ of the Covenants,  O. Palmer Robertson

The Christian Life,  Sinclair Ferguson

Holiness, J. C. Ryle

Spiritual Depression,  D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan

*I have to agree with Kim from On:  Sproul's Holiness of God definitely belongs on this list!!

What's on YOUR list?

Sunday Hymn: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon my breast."
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary and worn and sad,
I found in him a resting place,
And he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down and drink, and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"I am this dark world's Light;
Look unto me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I'll walk,
Till trav'ling days are done.

Trinity Hymnal #221

Quote of the Week: Calvin

[t]he Spirit of God shows to us hidden things, the knowledge of which cannot reach our senses: Promised to us is eternal life, but it is promised to the dead; we are assured of a happy resurrection, but we are as yet involved in corruption; we are pronounced just, as yet sin dwells in us; we hear that we are happy, but we are as yet in the midst of many miseries; an abundance of all good things is promised to us, but still we often hunger and thirst; God proclaims that he will come quickly, but he seems deaf when we cry to him. What would become of us were we not supported by hope, and did not our minds emerge out of the midst of darkness above the world through the light of God’s word and of his Spirit? Faith, then, is rightly said to be the subsistence or substance of things which are as yet the objects of hope and the evidence of things not seen.

John Calvin, Calvin's Commentaries, Hebrews 11

This is just too weird

I made this lentil soup last week.  It was thoroughly cooked and even reheated twice previously.  Today I heated up the last bowl for lunch and discovered that some of the lentils had SPROUTED in the refrigerator.

Weird, huh?  Has that ever happened to anyone else?

Update on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 03:18PM by Kim from Hiraeth

Because I am a curious girl:

Lentils contain high levels of proteins, including the essential amino acids isoleucine and lysine, and are an essential source of inexpensive protein in many parts of the world for those who adhere to a vegetarian diet or cannot afford meat. Lentils are deficient in two essential amino acids, methionine and cystine.  However, sprouted lentils contain sufficient levels of all essential amino acids, including methionine and cystine.

[Wow!  Who knew my soup would get healthier while it waited in the fridge?]

Apart from a high level of proteins, lentils also contain dietary fiber, folate, vitamin B1, and minerals. Red (or pink) lentils contain a lower concentration of fiber than green lentils (11% rather than 31%).  Health magazine has selected lentils as one of the five healthiest foods.  Lentils are often mixed with grains, such as rice, which results in a complete protein dish.

Lentils are one of the best vegetable sources of iron. This makes them an important part of a vegetarian diet, and useful for preventing iron deficiency.