The alarm clock buzzes, beginning our morning revelry.  Outside the trash truck backs up to the house, sounding off with robotic bleeps that he is moving in reverse.  The coffee maker begins its gurgling as hot liquid drips into the pot.  The cell phone vibrates and jingles with a new text message.  A fire truck shouts the urgency of yet another call as it passes our street.  The refrigerator hums.  A Dog barks.  The clock hands whisper their ticking away of each moment.  All around us, every moment of the day, there is noise.

God says,

In Psalm 13,  the psalmists asks, “How long will you forget me, Lord?” Have you ever had the thought that the Lord had forgotten you, or that He had left you?  I think, it’s in moments like that that we must stop.  Be still. We need to get in the Quiet Place alone with the Lord, that we might still not only the noise around us, but also the noise within us. 

The world is constantly shouting at us, but the Lord doesn’t shout.  He speaks in the stillness.  After He tells the psalmist to be still and know that He is God, the next verse says, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” I like to read it this way, “The Lord of hosts IS with us!”  Quiet your heart before Him.  Sit in the stillness.  Don’t be in a hurry.  Have His Word open before you.  Read, then stop and listen.  Listen for His voice speaking quietly to your heart.  He will. 

If your world is chaotic and confusing, that noise will drown out God’s voice.  What do you need to do so that you might hear from your God today?  Do it. Just Be still.

With love,

Yesterday’s Sunday dinner was not a meal at home, it was a church-wide fellowship dinner following our church’s 56th anniversary service.  You can’t beat 175 people coming together, each family bearing their best recipes!  It’s always an amazing buffet of wonderful food.  I wish I had gotten a shot of the whole gym – it was decorated beautifully and the tables were filled to overflowing, but who has time to take pictures when dinner is calling?!

Want to start with dessert?  I took a Kentucky Derby Pie.  The recipe is posted here. The pie plate was EMPTY. It seems to be a favorite at church; it’s a favorite at our house too!

The best thing about yesterday, however, was recounting the goodness of our God over the past 56 years.  We were reminded of the church’s beginning and also of those that have faithfully served in both visible places and roles that are behind the scenes.  I thought about heaven as I sat there.  Won’t it be wonderful when the Lord rewards us for our labor for Him?  It truly will be worth it all! 

How was your day at church?  Was there anything special cooking in your kitchen this weekend?

From the parsonage kitchen,

Breakfast can get pretty boring, can’t it?  How about if I freshen up your weekend breakfast with a simple idea I found in my Better Homes and Gardens Magazine?  I’m calling it a Cinnamon-Apple Bagel.

Cinnamon Apple Bagel

All you need is:

Cinnamon Raisin Bagel – or a plain one will be fine, too
Apple, peeled and sliced
Cinnamon & Sugar
Butter
Cheddar Cheese

Place apple slices in a skillet with a couple tablespoons of melted butter.  Sprinkle apples with cinnamon and sugar.  Let them cook a few minutes until soft.

Toast a bagel and spread with butter.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, then top with apple slices.  Place on a cookie sheet and broil just until cheese melts.

Serve hot.  Enjoy! 

These would make a great breakfast, brunch or snack.  They are so good and so simple.  Hope you’ll try them!  Let me know what you think.

See you in church Sunday!

Be refreshed,

When this picture was posted on Facebook recently, I had a friend write with the sweetest and surprising response.  She wrote:

(I) was just looking at that cute picture where you were looking up at your husband. Your eyes toward him show such a reverence. You are looking at him as tho he is just the most amazing person there is…and from what I see he is…but what about the times when he isn’t so great..I’m sure there are those times because he is human. As an outsider looking in I cant imagine him EVER getting upset with you or saying anything out of line or treating you at all in a disrespectful way ever! But to think that cant be true because he is human and God says we have all sinned. And looking at you i cant imagine you EVER smarting off to him, or getting mad at him, or having any sorta bad attitude…but to think that is also wrong cause i know you are human too…….so here i am coming to my sweet role model asking for advice.

 Let me in on your secret of how to still look up at him like he is perfect when he isn’t?  I want to be that way all the time not just when he deserves it! I know I should have this attitude because God says so…but i just need some practical advice. I need to learn how to not show disrespect towards him in his times of failure toward me. I don’t want to fake it. I want the reverence of him to be real.

Her question is a really good one, and one I think many wives ask themselves.  Have you ever wondered how to respect your husband when he behaved in a way that was less than respectable?  We all probably have because, as she said, we’re all sinful humans married to sinful humans!

This answer will probably take more than today to answer, but let me start with this thought: 
Ephesians 5:33 says,  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.  The Scripture doesn’t give us a suggestion to respect our husband; this is a command.  We are to see to it, or make sure we do it.  Reverence isn’t an emotion, it’s a thought.  I choose what I think, therefore I can choose to think respectfully towards my husband.  So, let’s start with this simple, practical command and allow ourselves to think only respectful things about that man we married.  This is following the guidelines of Philippians 4:8- Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

In a practical way, here’s how you do that.  When the disrespectful thoughts such as how he doesn’t lead your family spiritually pop into your mind, turn that thought into a prayer.  “Lord, help Frank to lead me and our children in your Word, in prayer and in service to you.  Thank you for him, Father.  Help me to follow him and respect him today.”  Don’t allow yourself to dwell on him not leading your family, and don’t talk about it.  Instead, think about an area in which you can respect him, and think on that.  If the only thing you can think of is that he takes the trash to the trash can,

In short, pray about the disrespectful things, then dismiss them from your thoughts.  Dwell on the respectful things and praise him for those things!

Does this raise another question or thought in your mind?  If you would want to leave an anonymous comment, feel free.
 

With love,

P.S. We will continue with the answer to this good question again next Thursday.

Know what season it is at the Cunningham’s?  Culling season.  Webster defines “Culling” this way –  to choose; select; pick.  I’ve found that if I’m not regularly culling the things that enter the doors of our home, we would be candidates for the hoarders television show!   Here’s what I try to cull through:

• I try at the beginning of each season to go through my magazines and decide which ones need to be kept or given away, and which ones need to be torn apart for the recipes and articles and then thrown away. 
• My seasonal clothes require culling to decide which ones I will actually wear next year.  As I remove the summer clothes from my drawers and closet, I decide if it is an article I will need next year based on its fit and wear.  If it looks old, or if I hate the way it feels when I have it on, it’s gone.
• I’m also in the process of culling decor.  I’ve gotten the feeling recently of having too much out.  I’m desiring a sleeker look.  I’ve made my way through the kitchen, removing some pictures and accessories in order to streamline and make it easier on the eye.  It’s easy to let things get out of control and feel like I’m drowning!  I could have my counters covered with appliances and gadgets if I’m not careful.  I’m keeping out only the things that are used regularly.
• My basement storage area is on my list too.  Ugh.  (Do you have a space like that?)

After I’ve made my selections of the things that stay and the things that must go, I put it in one of two areas:  throw away or give away.  I then load it up in a garbage bag and take it off. Then I don’t look back!  It’s more than just choosing what I like and what I’m tired of.  What I’m really choosing is orderliness, calm, and contentment.  When the discarded items are gone, it’s a great feeling, my rooms, closets and drawers are organized and I feel lighter too!

Do you need to do some culling?  Set the timer for 15 minutes and tackle areas of your house a little at a time. I’ll bet you won’t miss one thing you get rid of, but will love the feeling the culling process brings!

From the parsonage windows,