Why failure can be good for us.

This was something I found that was helpful in dealing with our failures. These are a few of the notes I took. I found this sermon by Lane Craig here--but you have to register to listen to it: http://www.reasonablefaith.org/site/PageServer?pagename=audio_visuals#talks

Lane Craig was studying in German for his Doctorate in Theology and he failed his oral exams. He was utterly crushed....couldn't understand why God would allow this etc. Why after all this time and effort he didn't get his doctorate? But some of the things he learned from this failure was what was of priority in his life. He realized that the most important thing in life was relationship to God and to family. That true success was not power, wealth or fame. That spiritually getting to know God better was true success and that learning to really know God in Christ and being a success in the Lords eyes was just that....He said that in God's plan for success for us, Failure could be part of the plan--How we go through failure is important--do we go through it with bitterness, depression, despair? OR do we go through it with faith, courage, dependence on God?True success is loving God and Man...we need to give thanks to God not for our failure , but in our failures. We also need to learn different lessons, even if we don't know why God allowed it. We need to learn what our reaction should be, as a person of faith. We need to learn what Character traits we should have and what we did or could have done differently. We need to learn never to give up----here he refers to the struggles T. ROOSEVELT had growing up.....and how I think he was the only president to have earned the Medal of Honor on the battlefield. He tells of the quote of Roosevelt of daring greatly ----and how it is better to try great things and fail than to be timid-- (the actual quote was great)--and he urges us to stay in the Arena, Ask God for strength to go on---learning endurance....trusting God to work all for our good! Lane Craig failed to get his doctorate, but Germany lets you go for the oral test a second time. So Craig studied for a year!! went back, and earned his doctorate---plus he had such a wonderful deeper knowledge because of it. So sometime listen to the sermon in the future--it is about 40 minutes.

Weekend with the Grands/ and Duke Garden

Rhi had just arrived home from swimming lessons to find us there--look at her exuberant run!

Of course we had to do some reading!

There was a GRAND Concert!! Such splendid talent! A duet ,no less....

Now, ALDEN, this bread is for Mr. and Mrs. Mallard!

All the monkeys wanna picnic dinner.

Hmmm, the mallards were full so the geese took over.

Aldie gets a view of his meal (but he ended up getting into everyone elses!)

Notice, Alden exploring in the BIG lunch box!!

This is what he really wanted!

What ancient monkeys!

Just taking it easy.

A rock is a delight!

Good for teething.

All done with the meal, now what comes next?

Wonderful displays...

Caterpiller fun

Nothing like Wisteria!!

Resting for a bit.

One dazed girl, wearing Grandpa's Hat!!

PS. THE SECOND SONG ON MY PLAYLIST (FOR NOW ANYWAYS) CALLED, TO BE FREE (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT) SOOOOOOOOO REMINDS ME OF RHIANWEN AND CHILDHOOD!!

Easter Story cookies

Easter Story Cookies
(to be made the evening before Easter)


Ingredients:
1c whole pecans
1t vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1c sugar
ziplock bag
wooden spoon
mixing bowl
wax paper
masking tape
Bible
patience


Preheat oven to 300o (this is important to do first thing!)


Place pecans in ziplock bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.


Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.


Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.


Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.


So far, the ingredients have not been very appealing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.


Beat ingredients with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity God sees in those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.


Fold in broken nuts. Drop small spoonfuls onto cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.


Put the cookie sheet into the oven, close the door, and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of masking tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 & 22.


On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.


HALLELUIA, JESUS HAS RISEN!

Religion verses Faith

I like this quote by Mike Mason:

"But we should never mistake our human interpretation, our theology, for the living Person. To cling to the former is religion; to embrace the latter, come what may is faith."

We always need to make sure we are worshipping him and not our "religion". Perhaps the Pharisees erred here.

gnomes

I love gnomes . This pair above I had to get for my birthday--they made me smile and think of nice romantic times with my hubby. When we were dating, he made me read the Hobbit (and the Lord of the Rings trilogy)--which I do believe are relations to the gnomes HA

I .made a little doorway into the tree and a shell path

This is the view from my widow--it makes me SMILE! I accidentally had posted this on my recipe blog---I hope no one saw it THERE!!!! I deleted it of course!

apologetics : helpful websites

Here are some very helpful apologetic sites---all kinds of resources on them---some with debates , etc.



<>< http://www.conversantlife.com/ http://www.pleaseconvinceme.com/ http://www.reasonablefaith.org/site/PageServer http://www.str.org/site/PageServer http://www.soulation.org/
http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4213839/k.BF4B/Home.htm
http://theapologeticsbookstore.com/ http://www.trueu.org/<><

Beauty again

I am reading a good book called, Apologetics for a New Generation . Each chapter is written by a different person. It has a lot of interesting things to think upon.

I like how they discuss beauty. I have read similar things in other books. This quote was interesting:

"When the Word became flesh, we beheld His glory. Thank God He did not appear as so many utilitarian churches appear today! ON their good days, the followers of Jesus Christ burst with beauty and romance. We created Rococo and Gothic art and architecture. Whenever Christianity begins to fade, men begin to become severe, harsh, and practical. ..........Every year of communism saw ever more severe and practical concrete flats being foisted on colorful Saint Petersburg....."

Perhaps it is true that the closer a society is to the truths of the word the more artistic it is....I am not sure. Europe in the past did create lots of art and music and books and the Muslim world pales in comparison so it may be a valid point.

sweet lamb of God

I woke up this morning with this song on my mind. I think it is irish / celtic/ or someting. This is the only version I could find online. You need to TURN OFF THE SIDEBAR MUSIC TO LISTEN ----The words are:

Your only Son
No sin to hide
But You have sent Him,
From Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God

Your gift of Love
They crucified
They laughed and scorned him as he died
The humble King
They named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of God

Chorus:
Oh Lamb of God, Sweet lamb of God
I love the Holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Christ the Lamb of God

I was so lost I should have died
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod
And to be called a lamb of God

Chorus

Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Chris the Lamb of God