A Special Tea Party

This week, Flower (who used to be Treasure and Ginger; this is the last change) had a special tea party with "Inger". He had a grand time.

He met a new friend, Black Beauty.

Hymn Study #4 Phillip Bliss

This week's hymn study is on Phillip Bliss, the author of , Hallelujah! What a Savior. Phillip Bliss was a contemporary of Fanny Crosby and Ira Sankey. Before Sankey became a duo with D.L. Moody, Bliss was the one who helped Moody with the worship and singing at the evangelistic meetings. Bliss wrote many songs, of which a few are: Dare to be a Daniel, Jesus Loves Even Me, My Redeemer, and Wonderful Words of Life, just to name a few. He also, wrote the music for It is Well With My Soul. 


 Bliss was raised in a Godly home and doesn't remember a time that he did not know Jesus, but at the age of 12 made a public commitment of what was already in his heart. He was a man of great talent, but more than that, was a man who loved the Lord. He married and was the father of two children. At the age of 38 he and his wife were involved in a train wreck. He escaped, but realized his wife was still inside pinned in the flames. He went back in and stayed with her until they both were taken home to be with Jesus. When his luggage arrived at the destination many hymns were found and published. 


 God used Bliss in a way that helped to shape the history of Christianity in America. 


Next time I sing of "The Man of Sorrows" or dance around with my chickadees singing Dare to be a Daniel, I will remember the life of a man who lived the talk and laid down his very life for his beloved.




 

Book Review - Fyodor Dostoevsky

I was intrigued as I prepared to read Fyodor Dostoevsky by Peter Leithart. This book is another in the series, Christian Encounters.

As I delved into this little book, I realized I don't know much about Russian history or culture. Peter Leithart wrote this book in a dialogue style, which helped to make it a good read. Very interesting.

I had never heard of Dostoevsky before reading this book. He was a giant in the reformation of political Russia. He lived in the 1800's and his life was full of adventure, trial and death. After writing a book to typify the political situation of Russia, he was arrested and found himself in front of a firing squad. While third in line to face death, a decision was made to send the prisoners to exile in Siberia instead. During his stay, the New Testament was allowed to be read. This was his very breath and life during these years. Unfortunately, he suffered from epilepsy, but also was involved in extramarital affairs. This disappointed me as a reader.

Fyodor Dostoevsky has been hailed as having a deep Christian Faith, but I am not sure how deep those roots went. The many references to Christ in the book had to do with the state of Russia as a whole. In this read, Dostoevsky never talks about his personal relationship to Christ and what Christ's work on the cross did for him.

I learned many things reading this, but would have loved to read more about his faith, and less about his works.

As part of the Booksneeze blogging network, I received a complementary copy of this book.

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Letter H is For Horse

I love teaching my children. 

Happy 6th Birthday, Inger!

 Happy Birthday, our sweet little nature lover. You bring such joy to our home and lives. Everyday we thank God for the gift He has given us. You are such a beautiful little girl, with a precious heart for God's creation. Our prayer is that your heart will desire to know God, the Creator of all the things you love. He made you and loves you. Happy 6th Birthday.

Our New Addition

Treasure was his name and soccer is his game. "Inger's" birthday is Tuesday and we celebrated with a frog party yesterday. Saturday we went to pick up the gift that "Little Joe" surprised her with. Thanks to our Lakeland friends for supplying him for us.

Ginger is his name now, but we are not sure of the gender of this cute little bird yet. He has so much personality. He plays with his toys all morning and seems to be carrying on a conversation with someone.

You will notice the trepidation in "Inger's" face as Ginger makes the walk up her arm.

A Heart For Freedom

This was a book I had a hard time putting down. Chai Ling, the author of A Heart For Freedom documents her life and involvement in the Tienanmen Square movement.

I was 16 years old at the time of these happenings; half-way across the world. I was far from this incredible world disaster; both physically and mentally. I am about the same age at Chai Ling and am amazed at the strength she had to endure what she did.

Her writings in this book are clear and concise. As you read it you feel as if you are right there in the middle of the happenings. But this book is also a memoir of the horrific political and social unrest that continues in China. Chai Ling takes us through the most recent years of her life and the healing that had to take place due to the atrocities she endured.

The most exciting event that took place in Chai Ling's life is her salvation. After being raised in a typical Chinese home and embracing Buddhism, she arrived in America still full of emptiness and hurt. The Lord did some amazing things to bring her to Himself. Her story is one that will captivate you and inspire you to make a difference in the world around us.

Chai Ling, Thank you for sharing your incredible journey with us.

As a part of the Tyndale Blogger's Network, I received a free copy of this book.

Hymn Study #3 - Martin Luther

This week at the Ponderosa, we are studying the life of Martin Luther as well as the hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God.

Martin Luther was a man of God whom God used in a mighty way to change the course of world history as well and the course of the church of Jesus Christ. Luther grew up in a home that practiced the Catholic faith and ended up at a monastery, but God was already working on opening his eyes to the fallacy and evils of the Roman Catholic church. He fought and fought hard, but finally ended up having to hide to save his life. God protected him and in the process, he wrote this hymn. I am thankful for his fight.

The last stanza is this hymn states:

"That word above all earthly powers,

no thanks to them, abideth;

the spirit and the gifts are ours,

thru him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also;

the body they may kill;

God's truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever.

Martin Luther had a firm faith (without works) in the Lord. He did not fear death. He trusted in the Sovereign Creator for his life and death.

Just For Fun!

So Challenging....

She continues to bring me to my knees asking our God to change me. Thank you, Nancy.

I Am Not My Husband's Mother

A Soft Answer

This encouraged and challenged me so much.

A Soft Answer

It's Not That Easy

The Puebla Ponderosa has just started week seven in Sabbath schooling this year. This means we are taking a break from normal school and doing some fun school; visits, field trip, etc.

This morning we were doing our worship around the breakfast table and have come to the 7th chapter of Acts. Stephen, a newly appointed deacon, is preaching to the religious crowd. He recounts the old testament seeing through the lens of God's mercy and judgment. He then pronounces the truth of where the religious leaders, chief priests and people stand.

Stiff-necked. Uncircumcised. Resisters of the Holy Spirit. Persecutors like your fathers.

Their response?

Grinding their teeth, stopping their ears, screaming; they rushed at him. Picking up stones they began stoning him.

His response as he was dying?

"Father, do not hold this against them."

This has cut to the core of my own heart. As I was relating this all to my children, my littlest one said, "Mommy, he should of asked them to 'Please, don't do that'."

I looked at her knowing she was relating information that we have used in conflict resolution. But deep down, I think she was cut to the quick too. She wanted them to stop.

God's story is amazing, for He used this to further the kingdom of His dear Son. She has a hard time grasping this, but I pray one day all my children's faith will be as strong.

One day, very soon, they may need to stand up in the same way.

Just a Few Minutes...or Pages With a Friend

Whatever the circumstances you face right now, Stained Glass Hearts, by Patsy Clairmont will seem like a breath of fresh air. It's like sitting down to a warm cup of tea, wrapped in a homemade blanket and enjoying the company of your best friend, while you hear the winds of life howling outside.

Patsy Clairmont shares her heart with the reader; the struggles she has lived through and the saving grace of God that, though your pit seems deep, is much deeper.

She takes different aspects of beauty, from nature to art and develops a theme bringing us back to God's plan is good. That we can see beauty in ashes. We can experience peace when we give OUR plans to God. When we allow Him to steer our lives course.

Each chapter ends with tangible, hands on ideas to cement the thoughts and views of each chapter. To help us appreciate the beauty God has made through man, such as art, music, and video. But most of all God's Word that applies to each life's situation.

The reader will be brought to a new level of perspective as they read, Stained Glass Hearts.

I received a free copy of this book as part of the Booksneeze Blog Network.

Hymn Study #2- John Newton

John Newton is a well known composer of hymns and best known for Amazing Grace. His story began in England where at a young age, his mother died. But not before she had told him about her amazing Lord.

He ended up as a nine year old serving on a ship and eventually being grabbed by Her Majesty's Navy to serve the Queen. This was not his first encounter on a ship. His father was a Captain on his own ship. But this was his first encounter with the Slave trade, which was his profession for many years.

Interestingly enough, it was the very slaves he sold, which nursed him back to health aboard a slave ship, as he was fighting for his very life. He was sick and there was no one to help him recover. They were the ones who brought him water and bread. This was a turning point in this life. He never viewed his "cargo" the same again. Soon afterward he ended up on the seas during a storm. This is where he met his Creator.

John Newton became and pastor at Olney in England. He never loved better. He was given a heart of flesh in place of his heart of stone and God used him in amazing ways.

Amazing Grace has to be the favorite hymn of non believers. It is amazing how often it is played to incite emotion rather than focus on the true message that John Newton wanted to be known.

The next time you sing this beloved hymn, let the words sink down deep into your soul.

We are wretches. Our Saviour took us out of the pit and redeemed us. Praise Him!

What is She Thinking?

Today, I gave permission to my sweet youngest one to play her 30 minutes on the computer.

I found she had accessed this blog and found a you tube video of Agape Boarding School.

She then accessed their you tube channel.

And with her face 1 foot from the screen, her earbuds in her ears, and her face cupped in her hands, she was intensely watching all the videos from her Big Brother's School.

I wonder what she was thinking. I wonder if this "involvement" makes her feel closer to "Hoss".

I wonder how much she misses.

Her heart must be full of questions...

Fire, Water and Fear

Sometimes in my life, there are 2 x 4 moments. (As in boards)

God confirms a truth that I need to grasp in my life and does it by various means.

Mr. Spurgeon has been feeding "Mr. Cartwright" and I each evening with God's Word. Lately we have been in Isaiah 43.

¹But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

I have felt engulfed by flames. I have felt without a shadow of a doubt that my head is below water. These things have I felt, but have really not known. For my God is able to sustain me. I must speak to my soul and say, "This is not truth."

Last week my dear friend, Patty, sent me a card that was full of encouragement and guess what? Yup. The verses on the inside of the card were the same.

So today, in the midst of being on my back for 3 days with a pulled muscle, my mind was struggling to fight. I was listening to a podcast from Revive our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She was interviewing Angie Smith, the wife of Todd Smith of the Christian group, Selah. A few years ago she delivered a baby that died. She has since written a book called, I Will Carry You. She explained her journey and how God was enough for her as she went through this extreme trial. She read Isaiah 43:1-3.

Right there, the tears began to flow. As I heard her say, " we do not see the depth of God's Word. We take for granted these specific promises He give us," I grabbed my head and held myself, crying.

For I know as my oldest lamb is far away, my God is near. My heart aches daily and I fight. My thoughts of the "what ifs" and "what will happen when the year comes up" pound my mind too often. Then I find myself wondering if my God is big enough. Anxiety. I fight.

He will send the fires and floods, but He will carry me through.

Did You Know?

that small water spiders eat tadpoles that are 3 times their size?

Neither did we.

Foot over foot, the girls climbed the fence to the retention pond next to our home last night. They made the jump; ran helter-skelter in the tall grass and brought back a bucket of tadpoles. With no water. Once more, with "Little Joe's" help they scrambled back over to get water that would house these little creatures until they are adult frogs. We kept two tadpoles.

We woke up this morning and found one of the tadpoles in the jaws of a water spider that we happened to house as well. He must have come on over in the water.

Science happens.

My coffee table in the home school room is now home to a mason jar with an ant farm and a small pond with two tadpoles in it.

Science happens.

I am thankful for these moments.

The freedom to teach my precious children at home.

Hymn Study #1 - William Cowper

Here at school on the Ponderosa, we are embarking on a weekly hymn study. This has been something I have yearned to do and just never made time for it in my schedule. This week was our first hymn.

"There is a Fountain Filled with Blood" was written by William Cowper. The hymn is one of great depth and yet, an all so familiar one, in which we can sing without even thinking about it.

William Cowper struggled with depression and mental anguish from the time of his mother's death at age 6 until the end of his life. He did not come into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ until he was 33 years old. After his conversion, he lived with a Pastor and his wife. The pastor eventually died, and the widow was invited by Pastor John Newton to move to Olney, England to be part of the fellowship there. Cowper moved as well.

God in his providence introduced Newton to Cowper and Pastor Newton became very instrumental in the day to day goings-on of Cowper and his mental state. He struggled so often with assurance of salvation and depression still. And yet, amazingly, wrote some deep hymns of the faith, that have become landmarks for the Evangelical body of Christ.

He wrestling with doubt. He pushed through the thoughts. He conquered in Jesus' name.

So many times when we as believers go through the valleys that can cause of pain, we feel so alone. We forget those saints that walked before. We sing the hymns and then wonder if we will ever attain to the "sainthood" of the hymn writers. But they are just like us. Wandering sheep seeking the Good Shepherd. He hears our voice and rescues.