Mushrooms!

Well, here it is, in all its glory; the first mushroom. I found it on April 22nd. Seems a little late, but conditions had to be just right. Enough rain, enough heat at night to make them germinate. We've only found a few more. Hardly enough to fill a skillet.

Morels are hollow in the middle. Once picked, you cut them in half, rinse them and put them in the fridge in a bowl of salt water to kill any bugs. Once you've collected enough for a batch, rinse them and lay them out on paper towels to dry. Then, dredge them in flour seasoned with some salt and pepper. I like to fry them in a combination of butter-flavored Crisco and margarine. Most people use straight butter or margarine, but it can't handle the high heat. I cook them till they are a golden brown. Drain on paper toweling and serve either on bread or straight off the plate. Either way, they're delicious!

"You're Trying Too Hard"

About 23 years ago, I made a serious commitment to be a fully dedicated Christian. I wanted to do my best to live up to all that a Christian should be. I tried so hard, but every day I failed to live up to the perfect picture I had drawn in my mind. I felt so angry each time I messed up.

It was during one of my fits of self disgust that I dove into cleaning the house. Anger is a great motivator to clean...all that energy. I also thinks it's a way to reclaim territory or assert some control over life when other things seem out of control. Some people drink; I cleaned.

During my burst of restoring order, I was picking up my shoes and shoving them into my closet. The only problem was that one of the shoes kept falling back out. I would grab it up and jam it back in. It would fall out again. I'd repeat the process, only I was in such a hurry, I would just pick it up and almost throw it at the closet each time missing the rack. I was almost irrational and definitely not thinking clearly, if at all.

Then it happened. A calm voice I could only hear in my head said, "You're trying too hard." Too calm, too rational to be my own thoughts, I wondered, "What? Where'd that come from?" I had heard the Christian lady at work talk about how God talked to her. Was this what it was like? It had to be, because it was not me. And it struck me somehow that the voice was not just talking about the shoe, but my whole approach to "being Christian." I was in such a hurry to be perfect, I was trying to "shove" myself into this perfect image I had of what a Christian should be. It just didn't seem right that I could become a Christian in an instant by accepting Jesus into my heart, but I couldn't change my actions at the same speed. My spirit was saved, but my soul, that selfish, self-willed part of me, didn't always do what it should.

I guess I will always be a sinner in need of help. That's why God sent his son to die for me. He knew I could never do it on my own; live righteously, that is. I could never "force" myself to be perfect. Guess Paul said it all in Romans:
Romans 7:14 -25
14) We know that the Law is spiritual. But I am merely a human, and I have been sold as a slave to sin. 15) In fact, I don't understand why I act the way I do. I don't do what I know is right. I do the things I hate. 16) Although I don't do what I know is right, I agree that the Law is good. 17) So I am not the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them.

18) I know that my selfish desires won't let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I cannot. 19) Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong. 20) And so, if I don't do what I know is right, I am no longer the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them.

21) The Law has shown me that something in me keeps me from doing what I know is right. 22) With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God. 23) But in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind, and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do. 24) What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die? 25) Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me....

As I look around now, I see that my house hasn't really had that good of a cleaning in a long time. Truth is, I just haven't been all that angry! I've found a peace and contentment that comes from knowing that it's not about being perfect. It's about a relationship with God. Like any friendship, it develops over time.

...taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8 Amplified Bible

They're Back!

Sorry bluebirds! They're back! I guess that nest box was so ideal they just couldn't resist. The flying squirrels have returned to raise another litter in the bluebird nest box at the edge of our yard. I knocked on the box and she peaked her head out and then ducked down so quickly that I couldn't get a picture. See other picture below from last year. I found a nice drawing to include to give you a better idea what they look like. They don't really fly, they kind of glide when they jump.
If you want to know more about the cute little critters, go to this web site.

Are You Fully Charged Yet?

I was reading another blog site this week on the topic was prayer. I love the reference to cell phone reception and the little bars that show up on your phone. You'll have to read it for yourselves to get the full effect. Go to http://247christian.blogspot.com/2008/04/solitary-place.html

The writer was saying how Jesus would go to be alone to pray and how some villagers in African would have a designated spot to go pray alone. You could tell who'd been praying by how beat down their path was. He thought about how finding the perfect spot to talk with God was a bit like finding good cell phone reception. You know by the amount of reception bars.

Also on cell phones, you know when your cell phone is charged by the amount of battery bars that show up. What if you could tell who was "prayed up" by a display of battery bars over their heads on Sunday morning? Couldn't you just see the pastor looking out on the congregation and seeing how "powered up" each parishioner were?

I think the most important thing to remember about prayer is that our lives are incomplete without the "charge" we get from spending time with God. God is a jealous God. He wants to be first in our hearts. He desires to spend time with us. In return, He gives us hope, peace, joy. He gives a part of Himself to us. That's what keeps us "charged up" and ready for each difficulty that life throws our way.

So I ask, "Are you fully charged, yet?"

Secret Squirrel

It's that time of year again when the bluebirds appear. Last year we had a unexpected surprise in the nest box in the side yard. A family of flying squirrels had taken up residency there. We were as surprised as this little fellow when we went to see if there were bluebirds inside! He and his little brothers scampered up the post when we crossed his comfort zone.
I did see my first blue bird of the year on my way to work this morning. It was a beautiful color of blue with a slight flash of red underneath. I hope it doesn't find a "No Vacancy Sign" on our nest box this year!

Our Little Cave

Just wanted to share our little secret cave on our farm. It's very small in comparison to the ones out at Old Man's Cave and the other Parks. Just goes to show you, you need to be very careful when visiting Hocking Co. You can be walking along, and OOPS!

My husband was a forest officer for over 30 years at Hocking State Forest. Please heed the advice of the signs. Stay on the
trails out there! And don't be in there after dark.



You can't fly, and you don't bounce!!

Communing with Nature

On our daily walk today, the pond was a very peaceful place to rest and just listen. The return of the red-winged black bird was inevitable. We could hear the neighbor's rooster. Of course, there were a few dogs in the distance. Honey, the retriever, took her swim, then set about rooting out mice from their winter's nest. My husband pointed out the elusive chat, a bird that has a crazy call. If Jim Carey were a bird, that's how he'd sound. We never actually pinpointed its exact location. He said this was the best time of year to spot them before the leaves came out. I wish I could have photographed one for you. We casually looked for mushrooms on our return stroll. Hopefully, I will log our first finds for you here! If you've never had morel mushrooms, you haven't lived.

More Spring Beauties!

Still more signs of spring!

God is a Gentleman

I was thinking about our prayer vigil coming up in May before Pentacost. I just wanted to encourage people to pray now. I don't think they have discovered yet the potential that prayer can have in their lives.

I want to share the perspective I've gained through studying and being open to learn from others. I once heard that God is a gentleman. He does not force himself on us or our lives. It says that He stands at the door and knocks. If anyone hears His voice and will open the door, He will come in... (Rev. 3:20)
But, when you open the door, you don't just stand there staring at each other, you invite them in....you ask. Prayer is our way of asking Him to come in. So often I think we just forget that fact. He's standing there watching and waiting, but he isn't invited.

So, open up to the possibilities of what God can bring into our lives. Think of all the things He can help us with if we just ask. And if you don't know what to pray for in a situation, ask for guidance in that, too. "How should I pray about this situation, Lord?" He gives wisdom to all liberally and without reproach. (James 1:5)

A Taste of Spring....finally!

Finally, a reprieve from the rain! The crabapple tree out front is showing signs of flowering. Not the spectacle they have in Washington D.C., but nonetheless, a sign of spring! Next week the reality comes back to haunt us with more rain.

The Real Truth

Well, I have to admit that I was sucked into the voyeurism trap of the reality TV show The Moment of Truth. I was actually waiting for another show coming up, but had time to kill. I don't think I've ever seen such hype for a show that's really only worth about 10 minutes of the actual footage. By watching only the last half of the show, I'd been given the entire season's run down on everything I could have possibly missed. Their main tout was "Lives ruined! You have to see it to believe it!" So, I did.

The show is based on contestants being strapped to a lie detector and being asked very personal questions. Questions that only someone very close to them would think to ask. As I watched, people were willing to risk telling their deepest secrets in order to win money, even if to do so would hurt their wife or husband. They would confess to having affairs. They would confess to still being in love with their ex-boyfriends. You can see their spouses, and parents and friends react as the contestants confessed and the lie detector they were strapped to would verify their responses. Lives ruined. Secrets revealed, all for the sake of money.

Each contestant seemed to be willing to "bare it all." No amount of coercing from the host would make them quit. So, what happened? They each lost on the questions that seemed the easiest to answer. One girl was asked if she would pose nude in a magazine for $100,000.00. After thoughtful consideration, she said, "No," to which the lie detector said she was lying. She seemed shocked. Why? Who was she lying to? Herself? The one girl was asked if she'd ever used sex to advance her career as a model. She said, "No," and again lost all the money she'd gained after crushing her husband only moments before with her confessions. She risked her marriage, but lied about that?

I was left with the most provoking question that nagged me all night. What lies hurt us the most? Is it the ones we tell to others, or the ones we tell to ourselves? That's what shocked me most after watching the show. They all seem to know what was the truth about the lies they told to others, but didn't realize the ones they told themselves. Whether it was, "I've never compromised my integrity by using my sexuality to advance my career," or "I'd never compromise my integrity by posing nude," to "I think I'm a good person." Subconsciously, they must have known the truth, because the lie detector gave them away. (That is if you believe those things actually work.)

Perhaps the whole thing this show reveals is that it's easier to sacrifice others' feelings than it is to sacrifice the self-image we build for ourselves. So, then, what lies do you live with? What "image" do you give yourself? We count out the reasons we do things and justify them with our excuses. But, who can really judge us?

Before getting overloaded with guilt and introspection, which some of us are inclined to do, I want to balance the picture by saying this:

Paul, an apostle, wrote in I Corinthians 4:3-5
3) I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4) My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5) Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

I believe we do the best we can to live our lives according to what God shows us to do, but we should never be deceived into thinking that we will ever reach perfection. Only Jesus is perfection and will be the one to judge our lives. He works in us and through us to help us improve, and is He is the author and finisher of our faith. Just be careful not to fall into the trap of viewing others lives as so much lower than our own that we think it okay to point and laugh at them.

One Attitude Adjustment, please.

While watching TV this morning, Joyce Meyer was talking with someone about the difference between obedience and submission. I was struck by the fact that I really didn't know the meaning of submission. Obedience, I knew. It means you obey; do what you're told. So, what's submission? Why didn't I know this? It's our attitude. You can do something and be obedient, but you can do it while grumbling and complaining.

Since attending Pastor Mark's classes on learning how to become witnesses for Christ, I find myself wrestling with my conscience. I know we are told to be witnesses, but I have every excuse for not "bothering" others with my beliefs. "It's uncomfortable." "I don't know how." "Let someone else do it." "I don't have to and you can't make me!" "It doesn't mean I'm not saved." I think my attitude and my heart are going to need some adjusting before I can ever really reach out to anyone. I could try to witness, but with an attitude of "I'm only doing this because I have to" I won't get far. After all, the whole meaning of God's message is love. It all boils down to this, "For God so loved the world that He gave his only son to die for us." John 3:16

Submission to me feels a little like dying inside. Wrestling with the demons of my own self-will and pride, I die to make room for God to come in. Yeh, it hurts a little, but it also feels good. Through submission, I learn what it means to love. Through humble surrender, I find true power. Because love conquers all.

So, I guess I'm saying, I'll take that Attitude Adjustment, please and thank you!