Jeremiah

Reading along in Jeremiah right now...whose taking heat for speaking the truth.  Have you ever spoken truth to someone and then suffered?  Either because they didn't want to hear, misunderstood your intentions, or couldn't grasp the significance of what was said?

Every time we speak truth, whether as an admonishment, or simply proclaiming the gospel we will suffer - not always - but usually people (ourselves included) don't want to be told the truth.

Truth - you are a sinner, you deserve eternal damnation and separation from God.  Outside the grace of God you will remain an enemy of God.

Granted that's a bit stark, we tend to candy coat our words...we want to speak truth, but not really in a way that might cause us to be ostracized or on the 'outside'.  So how bold for speaking (or receiving) the truth are you?

I was pondering upon the difference between Jeremiah and Urijah.  The name Urijah is mentioned in 2 Kings; however it's not the same man. Used again in Nehemiah but who is the the son of Koz.

Urijah - H223 - From H217 and H3050; flame of Jah; Urijah, the name of one Hittite and five Israelites.

• H217 - From H215; flame, hence (in the plural) the East (as being the region of light).
• H215 - A primitive root; to be (causatively make) luminous (literally and metaphorically).
• H3050 - Contracted for H3068, and meaning the same; Jah, the sacred name.
• H3068 - From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.

Urijah was speaking the same words as Jeremiah, yet with a different outcome:

Jer 26:20  And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjathjearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah: 

Jer 26:21  And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt; 

Jer 26:22  And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt. 

Jer 26:23  And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people. 

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

When secure sinners are threatened with taking away the Spirit of God, and the kingdom of God, it is what is warranted from the word of God. Hezekiah who protected Micah, prospered. Did Jehoiakim, who slew Urijah, prosper? The examples of bad men, and the bad consequences of their sins, should deter from what is evil. Urijah was faithful in delivering his message, but faulty in leaving his work. And the Lord was pleased to permit him to lose his life, while Jeremiah was protected in danger. Those are safest who most simply trust in the Lord, whatever their outward circumstances may be; and that He has all men's hearts in his hands, encourages us to trust him in the way of duty. He will honour and recompense those who show kindness to such as are persecuted for his sake.

Ouch.

If the Lord lays something on your heart, or directs someone to 'speak' is there diligence to speak or receive?

Or rather, run and hide in fright?  Afraid of what?  Losing relationships?  Hurting feelings?  Addressing deficiencies in our lives?  How bold are we for the Lord, for His righteousness?

Blueberry...

      ...SEASON!!!

A view from the outside in...................................................................a view from the inside out!

I am extremely blessed to live close to an organic blueberry orchard.  For years the owner allowed people to come and pick for shares, anyone could come.  My sons and I would pick...and she always praised what good little 'pickers' they were (still are)!

Then she retired...and didn't need extra pickers.  However, she would, by invitation, allow one or two people to pick.

This year is the first year to pick without either son...in fact I thought I'd been written off the invitation list altogether!

This orchard holds such sweet memories!  The boys and I would remind one another, only the BLUE ones!  Make sure they're as big as your thumb!  I very rarely ever tasted the blueberries, in fact I'm not a sit and eat them type person.  Love them baked into stuff!

This year I've actually 'nibbled' as I pick and find I do like them...oddly enough fresh off the vine, not once they're home or frozen.

I've done a tad bit of browsing for information on blueberries and found one of the benefits is protection against memory loss!  They can also be used as a natural food dye.

The site WHFoods had this article on blueberries which had a LOT of interesting information on it's many benefits (antioxidants, etc. etc.).

Organic Gardening had this article on how to grow blueberry bushes.  The orchard owner graciously gave me several 'runners' to try and start.  Some had a good root system, which I've planted and several without (a follow up post).  I've got the ones without good roots in a bucket with a bubbler (hydroponics).

Here's what I did yesterday with one of my pints (Blueberry Muffins - actual recipe listed courtesy McCalls Cook Book with my modifications supplied):

Makes 11-14 Muffins
2 Cups Flour (I used whole wheat - finally milled after a 6-7 month hiatus)
1/4 sugar (I use dry honey)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (I use natural salt)
1 cup milk (I use dry milk, placing the 'dry' part with the other dry items)
1/3 cup oil or melted shortening (I use olive oil)
1 egg, slightly beaten

Oven at 400, grease muffin tin or use inserts (I spray mine - the 'hope' is the muffins won't stick to the paper.  I use paper because I loathe cleaning the muffin tins!).

Mix all dry ingredients:

I put all the dry ingredients (including the dry milk) together and THEN mix it, this helps to disperse the baking soda and also break up (hopefully) any clumps.

My farm fresh eggs - not beaten, yet.  The olive oil, and then the water (2 cups as I doubled the muffin recipe).

Dry ingredients 'mixed' - check.  Wet ingredients 'mixed' - check!  Make a 'well' in the dry ingredients and then add the wet.  According to the directions mix using a fork, DO NOT BEAT, batter will be lumpy.

Eh...my neck/shoulder/arm doesn't allow this, so the beaters were used.  Once I have the batter mixed (I had to add about 3/4 to 1 cup more of water), I 'fold' in the blueberries.  Dip out 1/4 cup into the muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes (toothpick inserted - yeah, you puncture a blueberry it's going to come out blue and wet).  :-)

And they're done...teapot heated, waiting to make a cuppa and have a few of these tasty lovelies with butter (yes REAL butter) slathered on top.

Yum!  Enjoy!

Who Am I?

I've been pondering upon this question for a bit.  Obviously the first answer should be I'm a Christian.

Secondary answers could be: daughter, wife, mother.  It's the mother designation I'm currently focused upon.

As a mother, we tend to have the world revolve around us...everything that goes on in our homes we control (to a certain degree).

We manage, we care, we give, we birth, buy, feed, clean, raise, nurse, chauffeur, counsel, guide, direct and most importantly pray for our families.  Our whole beings become consumed with being a mom.

So what happens when you're no longer a mom?  For many years I designated myself as a single mom.  I'm still have the title, MOM; however the responsibilities, the day to day consumption of my time, effort, talents and abilities are no longer needed, or rather are drastically changed!

I've been put out to pasture!  I've 'seeing' motherhood, as a cog in the machinery of life.  It begins with the first wee one...

...growing inside you.  A part of you, hearing your heart from the inside.  Then, there they are in your arms, so small, a 'canvas' waiting to be 'painted' or a 'lump of clay' waiting to be 'molded'.

There whole world revolves around you...you are the center of their universe.  Then comes the stage where they realize they are their own little person.  They become part of the 'machinery' of life.  Still needing you to help them 'turn', yet truly their own little wheel.

They grow, mature, leave the nest, forming their own 'machine' - a family.

Their lives, with their spouse and children develop and grow.  Your wheel grows further from the center.  You realize you no longer are the center.  You are now one of those outlaying wheels which may still be 'turned' by the 'center' may (or may not) have any real function.

So who (or where) are you in this thing we call life?  Are you currently at the 'hub' - the queen bee?  Running a thriving hive?  :-)

Currently part of a family - but not the center, yet?

Still in the center - not quite out of usefulness (or least borrowing of the laundry facilities)?

Or out to pasture?  Every once in a while you get a 'turn' as the lives of your children revolve?

If so, what do you do?  Who are you?  Who am I?  Is there value in a woman only when she's at the hub of life?  Running a home, managing children?  If you're married and empty nested, are you rediscovering love with your husband?

If you've been a single mom - how do you present yourself now?  Who are we once the children have grown and no longer 'need' (or sometimes want) us?

If you have more than one child, the possibilities are endless for where you are.

If you've returning children and grandchildren, your life once again 'revolves' around them and their needs.  If you're married, your husband.  If alone, and you've invested all of 'you' into your family, you begin to discover yourself.

You find a hobby, a ministry, an outlet...something which makes you 'feel' valued.  God designed us to be 'givers' and 'nurturers'.  Always holding those we love close in our hearts.

I can't say if it's easier or harder for those who have a husband, or elderly family members to care for...something that 'makes' you 'feel' needed and/or useful.  As trying or tiring as it may be at times!

As a single woman - for such is my designation now, it's vastly different.  I may be 'needed' at my job, but I'm not indispensable.  As I reflect and pray about this new season, I ask myself lots of questions.

Am or have I noticed or cared for how others in my position feel or felt?

What is my purpose?  (I know the 'correct' answer is to love God and serve Him); however, HOW does it 'work' now?

I think women like to 'pour' ourselves into people, a husband, children, etc., so when you don't, or feel like you don't, have anyone, what do you do?

Prayer...seeking Him is the obvious answer.  I'm still searching, on a new road to discovery. How about you?