In the Kitchen

Our Daily Bread

Joy

One of the blessings that I received while growing up was sitting at the kitchen counter, visiting with my mom while she cooked. Watching her and helping her in the kitchen was great preparation for my future. Over the past 24 years of marriage, I have spent countless hours in the kitchen. Unlike some women who consider preparing meals a necessary evil, I enjoy cooking for my family. Fortunately, I learned to cook “from scratch” years ago, under the tutelage of my mother. I hardly realized then that these skills would be put to use in Tanzania!

Cooking in Africa can present quite a challenge, but we certainly do not go without. We may have different choices, but we do not lack for anything. There is an abundant supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. The meat often leaves something to be desired, but thanks to the hunting skills of certain family members, our table has seen some very nice game meat.

Another food item that my daughters and I make regularly is bread. Granted, there is rarely a bag of flour that does not have at least one bug in it, at least that we know about. We must sift each bag of flour carefully, and hopefully we catch most of them. We’ve enjoyed wheat bread, white bread, banana bread, pumpkin bread, biscuits, muffins, cinnamon rolls, corn bread (thanks to those thoughtful care packages), French bread, etc.

Preparing bread or other home cooked treats can be a great way to serve others. New mothers, elderly people, bereaved families, shut-ins, your children’s Bible class teachers, and to anyone, just to say “I was thinking of you.” Beyond taking someone a loaf of bread now and then, Christians need to revive the art of hospitality. It is one thing to treat someone to a meal at a local restaurant, but it is quite another to invite someone into your home and share a meal at your table.

In our fast-paced, self-centered society, there is often the temptation to think “I just don’t have the time.” But inviting someone into your home is more than just filling their belly. It is about building relationships. It is taking time for people. We need to make time to get to know our brethren, beyond shaking hands in the vestibule and the occasional potluck. Have you ever invited the elders or preacher and their families into your home? How shocked would your neighbor be if you invited them over for a meal? What a wonderful opportunity for evangelism.

Some of the vivid memories I have of my childhood involved guests that have sat around our table. The food didn’t have to be fancy; it may have been a big pot of beans and a pan of cornbread. The food is not really what I remember, but the fellowship that was enjoyed. When is the last time you extended hospitality in your home? Challenge yourself to expand your comfort zone, and use your home and your kitchen to minister to others.

Chidren's Bible Class, Family Matters

ARE WE ASKING TOO MUCH?

Joy

George and I have been praying from the time we were married for our children, and for their futures.  A couple of our children have reached adulthood, and the other two are almost there.  It makes sense then, for George and me to look at various young people with closer scrutiny – “Could this be a possible mate for one of our children?”

It saddens me to see the lack of personal conviction and spiritual depth of many who have chosen to open their lives up for display via avenues such as facebook.  People are revealing far more than they intend to.  Facebook can be a great way to keep in contact with people.  It also provides an instant window into people’s character, which otherwise may not be discovered so quickly.   Additionally, it has made us, as parents, keenly aware that we must remain vigilant in the standards we have set for our children.

Sometimes parents get the reputation of thinking that no one is good enough for their children.  Truly, George and I don’t want to be unreasonable, and expect the impossible.  But don’t we have the right to expect future mates to measure up to certain standards?  Some might claim that we are too strict in our qualifications.  Are we, as parents, asking too much, regarding standards we expect for the future mates of our children?

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to keep their mouths from course jesting, bywords, and speech that does not give God the ultimate honor and respect that He deserves? (1 Tim. 4:12)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to demand the same clean speech from friends? (1 Tim. 5:22)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to demonstrate careful discernment about the music they listen to, the movies they watch, and t.v. programs they choose to view? (Phil. 4:8)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to dress their bodies in such a way that they do not show to the world what ought to be saved for only a future husband or wife to see? (Matt. 5:28;1 Tim. 2:9;

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to save their sexual expression – both physically and mentally – for the institution of marriage? (1 Tim. 5:2; Heb. 13:4)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to demonstrate the ability to handle money wisely:  both in generous giving to God, as well as wise stewardship of what remains? (2 Cor. 9:7)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to show proper respect for authority?  (Rom. 13:7; Eph. 6:2; 1 Tim. 5:17)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to be people of prayer? (1 Thess. 5:17; James 5:16)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to be students of the Word, not because they are expected to, but because they want to grow in knowledge and increase their ability to discern good from evil, right from wrong, and be able to discern the teachings of God from doctrines of men? (Col. 2:6-8;  Phil. 1:9; 2 Pet. 3:18)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men to act like men – prepare to be spiritual leaders of their homes, prepare to love their wives like Christ loves the church (which means he will act honorable to all young women), and prepare themselves to provide for future families? (1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 5:23; 1 Tim. 5:8)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young women to behave with a gentle and quiet spirit, to demonstrate a submissive attitude, and to show an earnest desire to develop skills that will help them be keepers at home? (1 Pet. 3:4, Col. 3:18; Titus 2:5)

Are we asking too much? I think not.  We are asking no more than God does.  We are not looking for perfection; none of us can lay claim to that.  However, these character traits that we expect in young men or women who may be interested in a relationship with our children are not negotiable.  Those individuals who end up as life-long mates to our children will have great bearing on whether or not our children, our children’s children, etc. go to heaven, and that is something that we do not take lightly.

Broader than our concern about future mates for our children, we have great concern about many young people who claim to be children of God.  The evidence is clear.   Many have become so saturated by today’s culture that they do not even realize they ought to be ashamed.  (Jer. 8:12).

So, I challenge you:  when you are alone, be completely honest with yourself.  Lay down the pieces of your life next to the Scriptures.  What do you see?  Is there a stark contrast, or are you a mirror of godliness?  Are you willing to make drastic changes if your life doesn’t measure up?

It is time for a revolution against the culture of today, which promotes self-indulgence.   Be willing to transform yourself so that Christ can be seen in you, “to which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power; that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (2 Thess. 1:11,12).   Are we asking too much?

Homeschooling

Another Free Homeschool Resource

Joy

Another homeschool resource that you might enjoy taking advantage of can be found at http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/  .  Every weekday there is a new item offered for you to download – FREE!   You can subscribe to an email list, so that you will receive a notice about the upcoming week’s free items.  Here is a sample of what has already been offered over the past few days:

  • George Washington’s Rules of Civility
  • Grammar Land
  • Powerful Ways to Sharpen Your Memory

“Powwerful Ways to Sharpen Your Memory” is today’s freebie.  I’ve already downloaded it, and if I happen to remember that I now have it on my computer, maybe I can improve my memory! 🙂

Homeschooling

Homeschool Freebies

Joy

CurrClickSome of you may be interested in a site that is a great homeschool resource.  CurrClick offers a free product to download every week, as well as many other great deals.  All you have to do is create a free account, and then you will receive an email every week, informing you of the free product of the week.