The beginning of knowledge

When I was in high school, I frequently prayed for the same 3 things:
1- that God would prepare for me a godly man to marry
2- that God would give me wisdom
3- that God would give me lots of money
I'm not proud of that last one, but keep in mind I was 16 at the time.
Thankfully, He saw the foolishness of that 3rd request and knew what my heart really wanted/needed and that was to always provide for my needs.

My first request was answered graciously when He led me to Tony. He knew Tony was the kind of man I needed and God continues to bless me through Tony.

As for the 2nd request, He is still teaching me that one, and I pray He always will. My God is so big that I will always be learning of His knowledge and wisdom. I don't want a God I can figure out after 'x' many hours of study and then I know everything I need to know about Him. My God is huge and I will be spending eternity learning from Him. But the beginning of that knowledge begins with fearing Him. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."

What does that mean? That phrase has always tripped me up--the fear of the Lord. It's not the kind of fear that causes us to be frightened, instead, it is a feeling of reverence; awe.

Think of it this way:
Think back to when you first met your spouse or someone you like (if you're not married). You found out everything you could about them. You hung out where they hung out. You found out what they liked to eat and tried to like it too. You found what music they liked to listen to and listened to it too. You wanted to know everything about them! You cared what they said and how they said it and hung on to and replayed in your mind every sweet word that fell from their mouth. You adored them, honored them, stood up for them, defended them, revered them. You feared what they might think of you not what your friends might think of you for being so in love........how much more should our affections be towards God!

If I want godly wisdom it all has to start with knowing God. I'm going to hang out where He hangs out (church, fellowship with other Christians, the Bible). I'm going to care about and memorize and replay in my mind every sweet word that came from His mouth (the Bible). I'm going to like what He likes and hate what He hates. I'm going to adore Him, honor Him, stand up for Him, defend Him, revere Him, and fear what He thinks of me not what the world thinks of me. Because He is the One I will be spending eternity with, so I want to know all I can about Him before I get there!

Lord, thank you for knowing our hearts and giving us what we really need and not what we think we need. Please continue to give me wisdom so that I can know Your will. Make it something I desire more than anything else. May I find true pleasure in seeking after You. Thank you for the love you created in marriage to point us to a greater love in You.

Menu Monday

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Hope you either got a lot of work done or were able to spend it relaxing with friends or family.....or both!

Here's the menu for this week. I think we have some repeats.

burgers/dogs/veggies/fruit/chips
roasted corn toastadas
green bean curry chicken/rice/fruit
waffles/eggs/strawberries
grilled chicken/potatoes/veggie

What are you having?
or
What did you have last week?

Banana Cream Pie

This is Tony's grandma's recipe. It's yummy! One of my favorites! We had it today over at our neighbor's house for a Memorial Day grill-out. Thanks Anderson's!

Banana Cream Pie
Grandma Esther Soper

3/4 c sugar
7 T flour
1/4 t salt
1 t vanilla
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 c milk
2 1/2 c half-n-half
2-3 bananas

Scald half-n-half.
Mix flour, sugar, and salt together.
Add eggs and milk and half-n-half. Whisking until smooth.
Place mixture over a double boiler, whisking constantly until thick, about 5 min.
Remove from heat.
Add vanilla.
Cool to room temperature by placing mixing bowl into larger bowl of salted ice water, again stirring constantly so skin doesn't form on pudding.
Add sliced bananas and pour into 1 large or 2 small baked pie shells.
Top with whipped cream.

Menu Monday

Welcome to another week.
Only 9 days left of school. I can't believe another year is behind us.

Here's what's cookin' this week.


hot chicken sandwiches/chips/applesauce
Pastrami Paninis/fruit
No Name steaks/potatoes of some kind/veggie
Nachos supreme
Roasted corn toastados

Shhh! Did you hear that?

I think I have spiritual ADHD. Really. I can't focus or be still for very long whenever I pray or read my Bible. I'll start praying about something really important like wisdom in how to parent my kids and what they are struggling with at the moment, and next thing you know I'm trying to figure out if 2 cups of shredded cheese would be the same as 2 cups of solid cheese. It can't be! So, how big do you think the shredded cheese was before it was shredded? See what I'm dealing with here! Why in the world am I thinking about cheese when my kid's character is at stake!
It takes discipline for me to focus and be still. When I do reach stillness, I can hear His still, soft, loving voice. That is when I meet God and it is always sweet. But I don't get there often enough because I've been programmed to fill empty time with stuff...TV, internet, email, blogging, music, baking, cleaning, gardening, etc. My busyness gets my priorities messed up. I get caught up in making sure the house is clean, and dinners are planned, and laundry is done, and crafts are made, and blogging is interesting. These are all ok to do, but not when it takes priority over being still and knowing God is God.
When I do make myself be still and reflect on God, I hear Him and He makes known what He wants for my life. Our time here on earth is short compared to eternity. Where I'm spending my time is where my heart truly is.
Matthew 6: 19-21 says:

¹⁹ "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When people think of me, I would rather be known for having raised godly children than having a good blog. I would rather have been a submissive, loving, respecting wife than a good cook. I would rather be known for talking to people about the one true God who can save the world than how Jack Bauer is going to save the world.
I must be still! I must make myself be still so I can know God and do what He really wants me to do!

Lord, please cause me to be still long enough to recognize the hugeness of You and the minusculeness of me. Show me Your truths and help me to change so I value the things You value, things that will prepare me for worshiping You for eternity. Not things that will be destroyed when this earth is gone. Help me to be disciplined in how I use my time. Make my priorities line up with Yours. Change my heart, oh God!

Speaking of random......

TIME: mid-afternoon

SCENE: kitchen of a family's home. Mother is loading dishwasher. Oldest son, Evan, is doing crafts at kitchen table. After a few minutes, the daughter, Addie, walks in and stands by mother at the dishwasher.

ADDIE: Speaking of swim pants....

MOTHER: Addie, nobody said the word "swim" or the word "pants". In fact nobody was talking.

ADDIE: Oh... [whispering] Evan, say "swim pants"!

EVAN: [without looking up in a monotone voice] Swim pants.

ADDIE: Speaking of swim pants, can you get out the sprinkler?

Grandma's Apple Crisp

In honor of Grandma Marian showing internet savvy and entering a blog contest (and winning!), I thought I would post her amazing Apple Crisp recipe. (And I happened to make it last week).
Next time you have apples laying around that you don't know what to do with.....make this! You won't be dissapointed!

Grandma's Apple Crisp

10-12 apples, sliced
1/2 c sugar or more depending on tartness of apples
1/8 c lemon juice
1/4 c butter, cubed
2 t cinnamon

topping:
1 c flour
1 c oats
1 c brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/8 c oil
1/2 t salt
1 t cinnamon

Slice apples. Sprinkle with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon.
Dump into a 9x13 pan.
Arrange cubed butter on top randomly.
Mix topping ingredients. Pour over top of apples.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 min. until top is golden and apples are bubbling.