Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

These biscuits  complete a breakfast of Daddy's scrumptious only-he-can-cook-them eggs very nicely.  Maybe they'll become your favorite too!  Enjoy!

Plain Buttermilk Biscuits

Combine:
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 T. Mayonnaise

Mix together the following dry ingredients:
-3 1/2 cups of freshly ground whole wheat flour
-2 T. baking powder
-1 t. baking soda
-1/2 t. salt

Set out 2/3 cup of butter and let soften.  When soft, pour the dry ingredients in with the butter and cut together until the butter is pea sized.  Then pour in the buttermilk mixture.  Add flour if it looks too wet until it is able to hold its shape on your spoon.  Drop by tablespoon onto a greased pan (we use a stone).  Cook at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes.

To add a different flavor, sprinkle some with cinnamon and sugar before cooking.
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Today is.....

...the one year anniversary of this blog!  I can honestly say I've been quite surprised by the number of people who have either viewed or followed this blog.  I sincerely hope that it has been used by the Lord to encourage, strengthen, and minister to you all.  The Lord has used this to keep me accountable, challenge my convictions, and increase my proficiency in writing :).

I asked the Lord to show me some things to make as goals for the blog for this year and He directed me to Hebrews 12.  Please see my goals below.

1) To strengthen my brothers and sisters in Christ.  "Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees," vs. 12.  If I am used to strengthen someone it is not because of anything good in me but because of Him.  Praise the Lord, thank Him!

2) To encourage those who are following the Lord with me.  "and make straight paths for you feet,..." vs. 13a.  All the time Jesus was on this earth he encouraged.  I want to follow that example and use this blog to encourage you.

3) To build up and assist my fellow co-laborers.  "...so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed." vs. 13b.  Only Jesus can make me a useful vessel of assistance to those who need Him.

4) To pursue peace with all men. "Pursue peace with all people..." vs. 14a.  Some things I write may be controversial but I pray that as far as it depends on me, I pursue peace!  

As far as personal goals I desire to continue to....
1. Run with endurance (Heb. 12:1) ~ even when I don't feel like continuing the race!
2. Look to Jesus ALWAYS (Heb. 12:2) ~ realizing I am strongest when I am weakest.
3. Demonstrate holiness (Heb. 12:14b) ~ only Jesus can make me holy.
4. Aim for heaven (Heb. 12:22) ~ Maranatha, Lord Jesus!
5. Serve God acceptably (Heb. 12:28) ~ the way He desires me to serve Him!
6. Know God more (Heb. 12: 29) ~ me decreasing, God increasing!!

Only by the help of Jesus will I be able to fulfill these goals...somewhat - I'll never get them all perfect as I am  a sinner saved by grace.

Young ladies, this blog was specifically started with you in mind.  Don't be ashamed to be women of God, especially in today's culture.  We need women who wear the beautiful garments of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:3-4).

Young men, I pray your intentions are pure.  I am not the one you should be coming to for advice or spiritual guidance.  Find a wiser male saint to learn from and be sure to search the Scriptures, for in them is eternal life.  

May you all be blessed as you continue to read!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Book Review: Eric Liddell: Pure Gold

Go here to get your own copy!

I was perusing the newest selection of books at our church bookstore when this book caught my eye.  I had heard of Eric Liddell and had even watched the movie based on his historical race in the 1924 Olympics (Chariots of Fire); but other than that I didn't know much about his personal life.  Here was my chance to find out.

Eric was born on January 16th, 1902 in Tientsin, China.  His parents were LMS (London Missionary Society) missionaries and much of his early life was spent at the mission station in Zhaoqing, China.  He eventually traveled to England to complete his formal education.  While in college he was given the opportunity to compete in the 1924 Olympics.  After several months of training he was physically ready for the games.  He finally received his schedule where he learned that he would have to run on a Sunday.  Refusing out of personal conviction he had to run in several races that he didn't train for.  The Lord was on his side though and allowed him to win in several of his competitions.  He used his newly won popularity to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever he went.  Several thousands were touched by his testimony and quiet, persistent love of the Savior.
When he graduated college, he decided to return to China as a Science teacher in one of the Christian schools nearby to where his parents still ministered.  After several years of teaching he finally met a girl he felt he could love.  The daughter of a missionary doctor, Florence MacKenzie was a God-given gift that Eric soon treasured greatly as his wife.  He was blessed with three beautiful daughters in the ensuing years.  During this time political turmoil forced many missionaries to leave but Eric refused.  The LMS mission board soon asked him if he would be willing to assist some of the missionaries who were staying in China.  Always the man to do whatever he could for others, he agreed.  As the turmoil increased so did his prayers.  He finally decided that would be better for his wife and 3 little girls to go back to Canada (where she was from) and he would join them when things settled down.  Unfortunately before they could be rejoined the Japanese invaded and overtook China.  Eric, along with several other missionaries, were placed in the Civil Assembly Center at Weihsien, Shantung Province, China.  They were not allowed to leave the camp and had very little contact with the outside world.  While there Eric made himself useful and organized sporting activities along with prayer meetings and worship services.  Near the end of his time there Mr. Liddell began experiencing severe headaches.  Without the proper medical equipment on base his friends could do nothing to help him or find the source of the problem.  Soon he suffered a stroke and not long after that he lay in a coma.  On February 21st and 9:20 p.m., Eric died at the age of 44 from what they later learned was a brain tumor.  He had indeed run his race and now he had been forever joined with his Savior.

I learned so much from this amazing biography and encourage you to read this book if you can!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah                 

Your WHOLE heart

On Wednesday night during service I felt the Lord speaking to me about the words "whole heart".  We were going through Psalm 119 and in the 11 verse we read 2 spoke about seeking the Lord with the whole heart
(verse 2 and 10). In order to follow the Lord wholly we must be devoted.  See the definition below:
"to give up wholly, a yielding of the heart and affections to God..." Websters 1828 dictionary
This made me search and see if I was truly devoted to God with my WHOLE heart.  Suddenly I remembered my verse for the year,
"Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you."
1 Samuel 12:24
How amazing (although I shouldn't be amazed as this is the God I serve)!  The Lord had given me this verse without me really knowing why and now He was showing me what my goal was to be this year.  Not too long after that I was reading an article in the Above Rubies we just received and the writer was talking about how God required our WHOLE heart, WHOLE mind, WHOLE body, everything...not just bits and pieces.  Ironic right :)?  When you read through the Scriptures do you ever see God complimenting half-hearted behavior?  One illustration that comes instantly to mind is the church of Laodicea in Revelation.  They were not hot nor cold, not wholly for God or wholly against God but halfway.  And what did Jesus say, "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."
Revelation 3:16
Um, I don't think that's a good thing ;)!  Another example in the Old Testament is in Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 10 which says,
"And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the LORD. "
In this section God is pleading for Israel and Judah to return to Him but they would not have it.  Israel fell away first and even though Judah saw Israel's judgment she still continued on her path towards destruction.  To all those outside she appeared to be "following the Lord" but He knew their heart and that it was not wholly His!
Is that me?  Do I just appear to be following the Lord on the outside but in reality my heart is elsewhere?  Is my heart WHOLLY my Savior's for Him to do with as He wills, even if I don't understand His methods?
This is my prayer for this year; that I would be wholly devoted to Jesus with my whole heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Will you join me in giving your ALL to Jesus this year?

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah