The Whirlwind

"For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind" Hosea 8:7

From what I hear, this is the last Harry Potter movie to be released, and for that I am truly thankful. Now, I look forward to the end of the Twilight saga, and maybe I can get a little peace of mind. I'm NOT one of these people who sits around and picks everyone around me for a little sin here and another there. Believe me, I have enough in my own life to keep myself busy. I also truly do believe that there is liberty in Christ. There are some issues of conduct that the Bible doesn't speak directly to, or is not clear on, and I do not try to force my conviction on these issues onto others around me. If you turn to Romans 14 in my Bible, you will see where I have jotted down a quote from Augustine: "On essentials, unity. On non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity."

I understand that different families have set different standards as far as media goes. Some shun it altogether, others allow closely monitored movies and books, others won't allow any movies that portray any kind of fantasy whatsoever, etc. I can respect any of those decisions (and others still) and ask God for the wisdom to do what is right for my family in our home and in our circumstances with our own unique children, and I don't part fellowship with others who see it differently than I do.

However, I am truly shocked and deeply saddened at the majority of my Christian friends on Facebook who see nothing wrong with witchcraft (Ex. 22:18), the occult (Lev. 20:27, a capital crime), vampires (and soul damnation), and the drinking of blood (Lev. 17:14). IF YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN AND DON'T KNOW THESE THINGS ARE ABOMINATIONS, STOP READING THIS BLOG RIGHT THIS SECOND. TURN OFF THE COMPUTER AND START READING YOUR BIBLE. J.K. Rowlings' books are longer than the New Testament. Instead of Harry Potter, you could read about how the blood of our precious Lord and Saviour atones for sins and gives us a home in heaven, and as you're rejoicing in these timeless truths penned under inspiration of God, you won't have a taste for the evil, dark arts of your greatest enemy, Satan.

I am horrified at the Christian moms and even preachers' wives who are taking their daughters and sons to see these movies and even list the movies and books in their own profiles. I can't help but think of the Scripture in Luke 18:8 "when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" I expect my lost family and friends to be fascinated by the dark arts, but Christians should be repulsed by anything that leads souls to hell.

My heart is especially heavy for the young people who have not been saved. Their hearts are vacant, and demons just love to find a swept and garnished residence in which to take up living. Is it worth gambling with such delicate little souls, all for the thrill of a few cool special effects and a clever story? I think eternity will tell us that there will be many parents who will wish a thousand midnights that they had summoned the courage to say "No".

Children are given only one command directly in the entire Bible, and that's to obey their parents. All the other commandments apply to children, but it's the parents' responsibility to instill them and enforce them in the lives of these immature little humans. I am reminded of the law of sowing and reaping (Gal. 6:7-8),one of the immutable laws of nature. You ALWAYS reap WHAT you sow, only MORE of it. It is impossible to sow occultism and reap salvation. That would be against the law.

A child of God should not have the same hobbies and appetites as sinners. When Christ is preached and men get saved, the occult is no longer popular. Think of what happened in that wicked city of Ephesus when Paul began to preach there:

"Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed."
Acts 19:19-20

Many Christian homes need to have a good, old-fashioned book (and DVD) burning!

Garden Harvest

I canned 9 pints of salsa from our garden harvest this week.

It's Through the Blood

I've had this song on my heart all day. So thankful for Jesus!

They Make Me So Proud

I know what the Bible says about being puffed up with pride, but seriously....just look at these little geniuses.....YOU'D BE PROUD TOO!

This little angel is 11 years old. I'm hoping the self-respect thing kicks in real soon.

The dentist suggested I help Seth brush a little more along the gumlines at night. Maybe I should consider this.

Bub came running in from swimming at Gran's house and yells, "Mama, look! Gran put jell-o on our hair!" (translation: gel)

And Seth has managed to accomplish what I've failed to do in 3 years....get Summer to obey, without challenge, the first time she's told. I think I'm going to make me a list of commands like his and try that!

Whole Grain GOODness!

This delicious chocolate chip muffin recipe is made with all whole wheat flour. I use my favorite brand, King Arthur WHITE whole wheat flour. If you have never tried different whole wheat flours, I encourage you to look into King Arthur White Whole Wheat. Most whole wheat flours you buy or grind yourself are made from red whole wheat berries. There is no difference in quality or nutrition, the difference lies in the time of the year that the wheat is harvested. I have found the white whole wheat to be much more palatable for my family, and I can still feel good about the health benefits of cooking with whole wheat.

This recipe is a favorite not only because of its healthy ingredients, but also because it's a quick, one-bowl recipe that I can whip up in no time. Our favorite version is this chocolate chip recipe, but I also use this as my "base" recipe for all muffins. Be creative! Try white chocolate chips (always a winner!) or diced apples or blueberries with 1/2 tsp. cinammon added. The possibilities are endless!

CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS

3/4 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3/4 c. milk
3 cups King Arthur white whole wheat flour
12 oz. bag milk chocolate chips
coarse sugar for sprinkling, if desired (I use Demerara sugar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 24 standard sized muffin cups (or line with baking cups, my preferred method).

Beat together the butter, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, then stir in the milk. Mix in the flour, then add the chocolate chips.

Spoon about 1/4 c. batter into each muffin cup. (Remember whole wheat flour doesn't rise quite as much, so the cups will be a little fuller than a muffin mix.) Sprinkle lightly with sugar if desired. Bake for 20 minutes*.

*20 minutes is for light colored tins (the best kind for not burning the bottoms of your muffins!). If using a dark, non-stick type pan, check after 16 minutes.

These muffins are very filling, so be sure and freeze leftovers for a quick, healthy snack later!

When the Bough Breaks

"When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour." Isaiah 27:11

My heart is so heavy with the grave injustice that was served to little Caylee Anthony. I've shed many tears through the years on behalf of the innocent little children who've suffered at the hands of perverts and murderers. It's horrible enough when trusting little children are snatched from fit and loving parents, but when the assailants turn out to be the parents, it's a testimony to the complete degeneration of our society. As if that weren't bad enough, our "justice" system is now on the side of evil, and too often allows murderers to go unpunished.

It reminds me of the nation Israel in the Scripture referenced above. I truly believe God raised up our nation, as He did Israel, for the purpose of shining the light of the gospel to the world. And sadly, just as Israel was overcome with pride and became a nation of "people of no understanding", so has the United States. The boughs are withered and broken, and we are in danger of crumbling.

So this afternoon, I called off afternoon lessons and let my children see me shed some tears of righteous anger and sorrow for the little girl whose own mother threw her out like a bag of garbage. I've not been able to get this Scripture off my mind:

"

Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children..." Lamentations 2:19

And as for Casey Anthony, the 12 jurors who shirked their duties, the lawyers who gained fame and wealth defending her, and the parents and family who lied on her behalf....your prospects are not good. In fact, the Bible says it would be better for you to have a millstone tied around your neck and drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:6). At least we can take comfort in knowing that after her short, miserable life here on earth, Caylee is in the presence of the Savior now.