When I was raising my girls, I was always seeking ways to bring the Scripture into their daily lives.  I wanted them to see for themselves how applicational the Word of God is to everything we experience.  One tool that I used to accomplish that was kind of a “cheat sheet” of Bible verses.  The verses touched on sins that needed to be addressed when they happened – disobedience, lying,  rebellion, etc.  I also tried to look for examples in the Bible to help the girls understand how to handle problems.

Recently, I was reading a passage in  Numbers 12  that I wished I had shared when the girls were young and at each other’s throats fussing.   This is when Miriam and Aaron spoke out against their brother, Moses.  They basically snubbed their noses at the fact that he was the one in charge and they were not!  It never tells us that Moses raked them over the coals for their behaviour, rather, it was God who stepped in and God did not see it as a light thing.  Miriam was struck with leprosy (she received the harsh consequences instead of Aaron, I believe, because Aaron had a repentant heart). 

A couple of really good lessons are here:

• God doesn’t like it when families are at odds.  His desire is that we get along and glorify Him in our relationships.
• God can step into family problems.  We don’t need to take up issues with brother or sister (or for that matter mother or father-in-law, daughter or son-in-law, or our husband!).  We should be meek like Moses and let God decide who needs correcting and how.  This is a great truth to teach to children who have siblings.  Of course, you may snicker when you hear them praying for God to give their sister leprosy!  But the truth is here – we don’t need to step in.  God, Who hears everything,  can handle disagreements in our family.
• Another good truth is that when we have a repentant heart, it is also seen by God.  God wants us to glorify Him and have a relationship with Him.  His objective isn’t to simply “let us have it.”  Teach your children to have a tender heart when they sin; to confess it and make it right as soon as possible.  It doesn’t mean there won’t be discipline, but it might be less if they confess and forsake it. 

I’m thankful that God’s Word has the answer for each situation we face – as children or adults.  The principles are there for us to obey.  God is the same as He was in Moses’ day and He will handle those difficult situations, and he will give us wisdom to guide our children through them as well.

Oh dear, what’s that little white spot on my arm…(I love my sisters!  I really, truly do!) Oh, it’s just dry skin.  Whew. 

How do you deal with fussing between siblings?

With love,

SALAD:
8 cups Romaine lettuce – I used a leafy lettuce
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes – I used whole fresh tomatoes
1/2 cup corn – I used frozen
1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 large avocado, sliced
1/2 cup crumbled goat or feta cheese
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
DRESSING:
3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

It made two dozen rolls, making it very well worth the time to make a homemade roll!
They’re called, Best Dinner Rolls, and they certainly live up to their name! 

Best Dinner Rolls
4 1/2 to 5 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 pkg dry yeast
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup water
2 tsp butter
2 eggs
1 egg, slightly beaten
Topping

1.  In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt.  In a small saucepan, heat the milk, water and butter to 120 – 130 degrees.  Add to dry ingredients;; beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.  Add 2 eggs; beat on high speed for 2 minutes.  Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
2.  Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. 
3.  Punch dough down.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 24 portions.  Shape into balls.  Divide the balls between 2 greased 13×9 baking pans.
4.  Cover with a clean, lightweight towel and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.  Brush with lightly beaten egg.  Sprinkle rolls with topping of 2 Tbl grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 tsp dried minced garlic.
5.  Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from pans to wire racks.

Double Herb Roasted Chicken

(5 1/2-pound) roasting chicken

1. Preheat oven to 450°.
2. Remove and discard giblets and neck from chicken. Rinse chicken with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Starting at neck cavity, loosen skin from breast and drumsticks by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat.
3. Combine 2 tablespoons chopped oregano and garlic cloves. Rub seasoning mixture under loosened chicken skin and drumsticks. Carefully place basil leaves under loosened skin. Tie ends of legs with cord. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under chicken.
4. Place chicken, breast side up, on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Pierce skin several times with a meat fork. Arrange potatoes on rack around chicken. Coat the chicken and potatoes with cooking spray. Sprinkle the chicken and potatoes with 1 tablespoon oregano, salt, and pepper. Insert a meat thermometer into the meaty part of thigh, making sure not to touch bone. Bake at 450° for 30 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350° (do not remove chicken from oven); bake an additional 45 minutes or until thermometer registers 180°. Cover chicken loosely with foil; let stand 10 minutes. Discard skin. Remove chicken from pan; place on a serving platter. Serve with roasted potatoes.

Did I mention that dessert was Peach Dumplings?  Oh, yes, I think I did.  =)  Check back here on Wednesday for a video demonstrating how to make them.  This recipe will jump off your already-honed pie crust making skills.  You have made your own crusts, now, right?  I’ll think myself successful if I can get a certain daughter of mine to at least give it a try!  (Just wanted to see if you’re reading, Whitney!)

This week will find me on the walking path after yeast rolls, French toast and Peach Dumplings!  Whew! 

What has been cooking in your kitchen?

From my parsonage kitchen,

I grew up in Kentucky.  When I was in high school, we moved to a house out in the country on five acres.  I learned to love those country roads where our home was located.  When I moved away a couple years later to teach in a Christian school in South Carolina, I remember asking someone not long after I got there, to point me to a country road.  I just needed to get away to enjoy the quiet countryside.  There’s nothing like it!

A great way to refresh yourself this weekend would be to take a break from the busyness of the world and drive out on the country roads.  Take the long way that’s more scenic to Walmart.  Drive out to a fruit stand and purchase some fresh peaches or tomatoes.  Watch the cows and goats in the fields.  Stop the car and listen to the quiet.  I can hear John Denver singing now, “Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong…”  Find a country road and go home to rest and quiet!

Another road that will refresh you is the road to church!  I hope to see you there Sunday!

Be refreshed,

I often find myself steaming mulling over the frustration of the flesh-loving society in which we live.  How do I know our society loves flesh?  Because it’s everywhere!  The word modesty is so foreign in our culture it should be said with an accent.  Lack of modesty used to be restricted to the world, for the most part.  However, the thing that grieves my heart today is that the church has also been  infiltrated with immodesty.  Plunging necklines, tight skirts, and short hem lengths are as common as robed choir members used to be. 

“What’s the big deal with modesty?” you may be asking. When women choose to dress in a way that reveals cleavage, or their thigh, they are putting the men around them in a position of temptation.  We can’t flippantly say, “That’s their problem!  They have to deal with it!” Paul said, All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.  Just because I have the freedom to wear whatever I want, doesn’t mean I can choose anything I want to wear.  If we understand that God made men to be visual, we will be discreet in our choices of clothes so as not to cause them to have to look away to keep from sinning.

“It’s impossible to find modest clothes!” some may say.  I agree that it can be difficult, but there are options.  Altering clothing is one choice.  Take the neckline up. Lengthen the skirt.  Another thought is layering.  Wear an appropriate cami underneath, or wear a scarf that will cover you.

It’s not just young women that are dressing inappropriately; many older women are letting their guards down and exposing what should be covered.  Perhaps they feel they’re not a threat, but if for nothing else, we should be leading the guard as an example for the young women. 

Can I encourage you – look in the mirror carefully before you step out, and ask yourself if there is anything immodest about your apparel.  Bend over to ensure that nothing is revealed just by your movement.  Using a mirror, take a look at the back of your outfit as well.  We may think we look good – even if it is a little immodest, but here’s what the Word of God says about a woman who has no discretion:

Monday found me and “the parson” – not in the parsonage, but out roaming some of our favorite roads.  They are mountain roads, back roads, roads that lead to other adventures like lakes, waterfalls and quiet places.  Here is a sampling of what we saw…

After a busy ministry weekend, the rest we found in these places, as well as in our own car with just the two of us, was so refreshing!  The joy of praying together in one of these quiet places reminded us of God’s presence, as well as His ability to move in on the situations for which we were praying.  It was a blessed afternoon outside the parsonage.

What do you like to do after things have been busy?

From the parsonage windows,