Tea Time With Liz

Meet Dan.

This is the man who I have promised to stand beside for the rest of our lives. He is wonderful, godly, and handsome. I am so very happy and I love him dearly.

You can read about how we met on this website. www.danandliz.wordpress.com

We will also be updating it during the Summer with pictures and wedding plans.

We appreciate your prayers as we are preparing for marriage.

My daddy asked me how I deal with “this time of year”.

Today is the third anniversary of my niece’s death. This week has had several numbing moments.

When daddy asked me that question, it caused me to think about some struggles that I had dealt with in the previous years and how different things seem to be this year.

I’m not in KY. This is the first Spring Break that I didn’t drive down to visit my sister and her family. I will not visit Abby’s grave this week. I can’t tell you how much I have missed my niece Mary this week and her brothers. I longed to embrace them and hold them close to me. My sister was going to come here last week with the whole family, that is partially why I didn’t make plans to visit them this week, because I was going to get to see them. Her husband Todd did come with their eldest son Alex. Todd graciously took off a whole week from work to help my mom and dad work on their new house. What a son in law! I was blessed to have some quality time with my nephew Alex during their visit, but that made me miss Caleb, Mary, and Jackson all the more. Alex sure did talk about them a lot.

My memories of Abby are fading…

I can’t smell Abby anymore. This may be strange to you. I didn’t realize that I had a scent associated with her until I tried to remember her sweet smell and the softness of her hair against my chin as she had sat in my lap listening to me read stories to her.

I also was having trouble hearing her voice. I can’t hear Abby say my name anymore. That visit, the days before her death, was the first time she had called me “Aunt Lizzie”. I do remember Abby calling butterflies “fies”, but I can’t hear her say it anymore. Especially today, this was really starting to bother me. On my way home from work this evening, I started singing a praise song that is often sung at my sister’s church. Then I could hear Abby’s voice! I remember Abby singing those words, “holy holy holy Lord”. I can actually hear her voice singing in worship. I started weeping. Then I thanked God for that little gift. I was amazed how it had brought my thoughts heavenward to where Abby is now, praising her Lord and singing in his presence. My story doesn’t end here, nor my tears. I thought I had had my “cry” for today. But when I got home, I opened my sister’s blog, and this is what I found.

I like trees. I especially like trees with snow on them.

While I was growing up, I really wasn’t around very many families who had adopted children. It was just something I read about in stories. I was 13, when we joined CRPC, and one of the first things that my mom and I were invited to was a baby shower for a couple in the church. At that shower, I was so confused because the lady who was opening all the gifts obviously wasn’t pregnant, or surely couldn’t have been pregnant for very long. Somehow, throughout the whole evening I still didn’t pick up that this couple were adopting a child from Russia. I was too shy to ask anyone about it as well. Then, a few weeks later, their adoption process was brought up in prayer during worship. They’re adopting?? Wow! I was fascinated by the whole thing. I wanted to know more. I remembered my childhood play. I used to pretend that all my dolls and stuffed animals were orphans in an orphanage (the orphanage that I ran when I grew up.) and I was their only source of comfort and security. But here was a family who was taking into their home a child who had no parents. This baby was lost and alone, without identity. They were going to care for this infant, feed, clothe, pray for him, nurture him, call him theirs…

Soon after that, I started going through a membership class at church and I remember that they touched on the doctrine of adoption into God’s kingdom. Wow, God had sure been preparing my heart to hear that. It suddenly became very real to me. In our sin we are separated from God, lost and alone, dead. We are helpless, we do not know what’s good for us. Yet, God reaches out, takes us into His arms and calls us His children. He sacrificed His only begotten Son to cleanse us from our sin, and in Christ we are accepted by the Father and made fellow heirs with Christ. This is grace.

I have the privilege to know several families who have adopted children. Many times when I stop and consider their lives and families and how it is such a beautiful picture how God cares for us, I am moved to tears of joy.

Recently, I’ve been blessed to be steeped in teaching on Christian community and the fellowship we have and enjoy with one another because of Christ. All of this has reminded me about our adoption into His kingdom.

Ephesians 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

I’ve condensed my favorite pictures out of three previous slide shows into one.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup baking cocoa

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

2 tbs. maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped nuts

2/3 bag of Nestle’s semi sweet chocolate chunks

confectioners’ sugar (optional)

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder. Combine oil, eggs, corn syrup and vanilla; add to dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate chunks and nuts if desired. Spread in a greased 13-in.x 9-in.x 2-in. baking pan. I like to sprinkle some nuts on top too. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Dust with confectioners’ sugar while warm if desired.

This is the first time I’ve ever made brownies that did not come out of a box. And I have to tell you that they turned out amazing! And they are so easy to make. There is hardly any prep time, you just have to throw all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and fold with a spatula until moistened. Then dump the batter in a pan and bake!! No creaming butter and sugar first, or adding dry stuff gradually. No rolling out and cutting into shapes and rolling out again… For some reason I was led to believe that making brownies was just as - or almost as difficult as making a cake. That’s why you use a box mix right? Something else that has always bothered me about box brownies is that the crust gets all crunchy and hard. (forgive me, all of you who particularly like the crunchy part of the brownie. I suggest that you don’t make this recipe and stick to your trusty box mix.) The rich chewiness is what makes brownies great in my opinion, next to the chocolate part that is. But the crust on these Yummy Brownies is chewy all the way to the pan!

This past Sunday evening, our worship service was canceled so that we all had the opportunity to attend the installation of a new minister at Faith Presbyterian Church in Akron. Rev. Carl Bogue preached from Ephesians 4:1-16. The title was, Christ’s Gift Of Ministry.

I wish I had still been taking notes when Pastor Wright presented the charge to the Rev. Scholten. One thing I do remember is, “When you sense the congregation’s anticipation… Preach!” then he said, “When you don’t sense the congregation’s anticipation… Preach!” Amen Pastor!

An awful lot of things were said that evening that were very, very good. I have to say, one thing that really stuck in my mind, was the emphasis that Elder Caler put on this phrase; “to the best of your ability.” George Caler presented the charge to the congregation. And part of that was reviewing the church membership vows that are found in the Book of Church Order. This is membership vow # 4, “Do you promise to support the church and it’s worship and work to the best of your ability?” I’ve always found it helpful and convicting when I’ve been called to consider again the things I committed to when I joined the church. This is not something I’ve taken the time to do on my own though. So much more is required of us then just showing up on Sunday morning and giving the tithe.

How many things do we actually strive to do to the best of our ability? What things do we actually strive to do to the best of our ability? Do we remember where our abilities came from? Who gave us our abilities? When we support the church, do we strive to do it to the best of our ability? Wow! That’s really something to think about. I fall so short. Most of the time, I’m just trying to get through the day, let alone contentiously working to do my best and to glorify God in it.

This also caused me to think about the fact that so many of us go to church with the attitude that it’s all for ourselves… Yet without remembering that we have nothing of ourselves to offer God in worship. Only the praise that He puts in our hearts and thankful obedience to His word. What an awesome God He is! I can only imagine the added benefits to be had if we consistently take the time to pray and prepare our hearts before coming into the house of the Lord. We need His help to put aside the cares of this world and open our hearts to the word of God preached.

It is good to make ourselves more aware of what is going on in each other’s lives, how we can pray for one another, build one another up in the faith… How can we be more open to others about our spiritual life, no matter if it is dry or overflowing? God gave us the church and one of the benefits I believe is bearing each others burdens. God may have brought someone else through a similar situation and they may be prepared to share insights from God’s word and truth that helped them though that trial.

When we find ourselves in a low place and with little thirst for the word, first of all we need to pray! We should also go to a Christian friend and talk about it, and not be afraid to ask he or she to pray for us! Believe it or not! God will use it in their life too! They will be growing in their prayer life and we will be giving them the opportunity to minister to us. God wants us to minister to one another and pray for one another! We are a gift from God to each other! That’s what Pastor Bogue’s sermon was about. I know that he was addressing a pastor but I think that we can apply this to ourselves to an extent as well.

When we find ourselves overflowing with joy in the Lord and thankfulness to him for our salvation… Why do we keep it to ourselves?? Well, maybe you don’t, but I tend to keep it to myself. I don’t know why I am embarrassed when I have so much to rejoice in!! When we share our joy it gives God glory. It blesses the saints when we tell others what God is doing in our life and what He is teaching us in His word.

We should keep our Pastors, Elders and Deacons in prayer! They are sinners too and in need of God’s grace as they also bear our burdens. We sadly take for granted the availability of God’s word to us today, let alone the studies and efforts of our ministers. It has not always been so. Oh, that we would cherish it, treasure it, and praise God for it. He has given us the ability to know His word and to lay it up in our hearts. We are Christians, we are sons of God, we are bought by the blood of Christ Jesus! How are we to spread the word if we don’t know it?

Before we attempt to criticize our Pastors or Elders, we ought to stop and think for a moment. First of all, we should pray about it. If it’s something that he needs to hear, we need to take time to consider how we might respectfully reprove him in love.

Do you have any ideas on how we can better encourage our Pastors? I know it’s something that I crave, but they need it!

God Bless You!

I think I’ve been just a wee bit consumed with myself the past few days. Thank you, all of you who are praying for me. I appreciate your prayers. This Lord’s day has been a good start to a new week. A week that I hope to be renewed every morning in the blessings and promises of Christ. I will strive daily, to put aside my wants and desires and look to Him in His word for the nourishment of my soul.

“Nothing we desire in this world can compare to Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I showed my Mom my most recent blog post. Mom said that I’m being preachy. She didn’t have anything else to say about it. This bothered me because Guinever had said the same thing to me not too long ago about something else… that I’m being preachy. I took it to heart, because I do become very critical and judgmental towards the people closest to me. I wish there was an easy way to change that, I don’t want to be so.

(Guinever asks why I hold back.) Maybe it’s partly because this is the way I come across when I open my heart to my family. I don’t want to be critical of others. Yet I don’t want to remain silent either. I have been praying that God would teach me to speak to others in love and for some reason I had thought that this post was an improvement. Yes, I do not deny that it comes across preachy, I think that I sort of had that intention while writing it. But I didn’t intend to be critical of my family. When I asked them to look at it, I thought I was showing them what is coming from my heart right now.

I feel so secluded, and it hurts. I do hope that I learn the lesson that God is teaching me. Possibly I can change the wording to make it more clear… that it’s my own spiritual battle. But I was influenced by sermons which could have contributed to the manner in which I communicated in the post. It does I admit resemble a sermon.

When I talked with Guinever on the phone about it she also said that she wouldn’t have read it if it wasn’t on her sister’s blog. That hurt. Not what she said really, but the way I heard it. I was asking for her input and I’m glad she gave it. I don’t write on my blog for people other than my friends and family, I wouldn’t expect other people to care what is on my blog.

I know I should not let the approval or disapproval of others control me so. I should give it all to the Lord. As for being preachy, I do long to be able to minister to others. I want to be an encourager. I have to say that there isn’t hardly anything more encouraging to me then a good sermon that is convicting and points me to Christ. This is not a woman’s place I suppose. That place is for the Pastors, Elders, and Deacons.

What is my role in the church, and yes, in my family also?

Pray for me my dear family and friends!! I love you! Possibly an updated version of, “To The Best Of Your (my) Ability” that just speaks of my own spiritual growth will appear in the near future.

Standing in Christ’s love