Sunday, November 2, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
sample from Hearts Under Construction
Friends, here is an opportunity to 'blog' your insite after reading the devotional.. Brenda
May 3 Teapotting
Jeremiah 18:4 - and the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. (RSV)
One day, after visiting a pottery, I began to see how much work went into the making of a fine china teapot. Each one begins with a lump of ugly, plain clay that is pinched and reshaped until the potter is pleased with the texture. Then it is whizzed around on a wheel till even the watchers feel a bit dizzy. Next it is ‘fired’, placed in an oven so hot that it seems it must melt under the pressure. And if it survives that? (because some pieces don’t and will be discarded). Painted with smelly, stinky paint that is totally foreign to its original nature. At last, a second firing that is twice as hot as the first and a long sit on a shelf to cool off. Eventually, if the clay will take all the pressure, hold the shape it has been pressed into, withstand the firing, painting and the shelf-it will be able to serve refreshing comfort to those around it.
Where are we in the Master Potter’s hands? Submitting to life’s pressures or trying to escape them? Standing firm in our particular furnace, peacefully sitting on a shelf or feeling quite useless there? God forbid that any of us should be among the discarded.
Prayer-Dear Master Potter, we are not really comfortable where we are now. We thought our lives would be different. We expected more happiness, less loneliness, fewer silly mistakes. But here we are. Still in your hands! We await the our next step in your firing process. Help us stand the pressure so that we will become like fine china teapots, pouring out for you. For Christ’s Sake. Amen
Personal Reflection-
May 3 Teapotting
Jeremiah 18:4 - and the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. (RSV)
One day, after visiting a pottery, I began to see how much work went into the making of a fine china teapot. Each one begins with a lump of ugly, plain clay that is pinched and reshaped until the potter is pleased with the texture. Then it is whizzed around on a wheel till even the watchers feel a bit dizzy. Next it is ‘fired’, placed in an oven so hot that it seems it must melt under the pressure. And if it survives that? (because some pieces don’t and will be discarded). Painted with smelly, stinky paint that is totally foreign to its original nature. At last, a second firing that is twice as hot as the first and a long sit on a shelf to cool off. Eventually, if the clay will take all the pressure, hold the shape it has been pressed into, withstand the firing, painting and the shelf-it will be able to serve refreshing comfort to those around it.
Where are we in the Master Potter’s hands? Submitting to life’s pressures or trying to escape them? Standing firm in our particular furnace, peacefully sitting on a shelf or feeling quite useless there? God forbid that any of us should be among the discarded.
Prayer-Dear Master Potter, we are not really comfortable where we are now. We thought our lives would be different. We expected more happiness, less loneliness, fewer silly mistakes. But here we are. Still in your hands! We await the our next step in your firing process. Help us stand the pressure so that we will become like fine china teapots, pouring out for you. For Christ’s Sake. Amen
Personal Reflection-
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Me and Blogtalk Radio!
A series of amazing events have me on blogtalk radio, November 1 at 9am EST. Yes! Live to air for a thirty minute show about my Bible study- Happy Daze L.I.F.E. after 40.
Missed the show? You can still listen to it at Abrah-covepublishing.com or contact me at:
brendawoodauthor@yahoo.ca
Brenda Wood
Missed the show? You can still listen to it at Abrah-covepublishing.com or contact me at:
brendawoodauthor@yahoo.ca
Brenda Wood
Like to Read? Have a Blog? Want to be a Critic?
Contact http://thomasnelson.com
Check out their product page too. Thomas Nelson product page.
Check out their product page too. Thomas Nelson product page.
Waste
Both recipes started out about the same. Place stewing hen in a large pot with vegetables and seasonings. Add water to cover and simmer till tender. This is where any similarity ended.
The 1960’s cookbook continues with instructions for two meals (feeding eight) plus stock
1. chicken & rice recipe for four.
2. chicken stew for four.
3. use the rest of the juice for chicken stock.
The 2007 magazine?
1.Discard chicken and vegetables.
2. Use the stock.
What a waste of perfectly good food. Unfortunately this is all too common. On a recent TV cooking show a popular host discarded the outside stalks of celery because “they were too bitter.”
People wonder where their food dollar is going. I can tell them. Those with influence are teaching us to throw 90% of it straight into the garbage.
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle any one?
Brenda Wood
The 1960’s cookbook continues with instructions for two meals (feeding eight) plus stock
1. chicken & rice recipe for four.
2. chicken stew for four.
3. use the rest of the juice for chicken stock.
The 2007 magazine?
1.Discard chicken and vegetables.
2. Use the stock.
What a waste of perfectly good food. Unfortunately this is all too common. On a recent TV cooking show a popular host discarded the outside stalks of celery because “they were too bitter.”
People wonder where their food dollar is going. I can tell them. Those with influence are teaching us to throw 90% of it straight into the garbage.
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle any one?
Brenda Wood
Thursday, October 16, 2008
excerpt from Happy Daze L.I.F.E. after 40
To say that my dad was depressed would be an understatement. I tried to encourage him.
"The surgury is not a big deal, dad."
He replied, "It's not that. It's just that I suddenly realized I really am old.
Friends that's the daze. When did yours occur? Was it a health issue? A store clerk offering unrequested senior discounts? Doctor-recommended support hose?
God has a reason for old age. If he didn't he would have already moved us to the next place.
The Bible study/workbook,Happy Daze L.I.F.E. after 40 looks into all those things and more because aging is normal. It is happening to me and it is surely happening to you.
We'll discuss our purpose, body changes, lifestyle options. There is room for you to make notes, track your own progress and plan for the future. brendawoodauthor@yahoo.ca
"The surgury is not a big deal, dad."
He replied, "It's not that. It's just that I suddenly realized I really am old.
Friends that's the daze. When did yours occur? Was it a health issue? A store clerk offering unrequested senior discounts? Doctor-recommended support hose?
God has a reason for old age. If he didn't he would have already moved us to the next place.
The Bible study/workbook,Happy Daze L.I.F.E. after 40 looks into all those things and more because aging is normal. It is happening to me and it is surely happening to you.
We'll discuss our purpose, body changes, lifestyle options. There is room for you to make notes, track your own progress and plan for the future. brendawoodauthor@yahoo.ca
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