All creation sings God's praises!!

Please, please watch this with your whole family!!  A friend of mine showed it to us last night and it was quite powerful!  All creation does indeed praise Him - and He is so worthy!

Enjoy!!

Learning to delight in Jesus,

Hannah

Book Review: The Heavenly Man

My dad had read this book years ago and when he told me about it I was immediately intrigued.  I always love reading stories of courageous Christians who have gone before.  We finally ordered the book and I have since been inspired, challenged, and convicted by it.

The Heavenly Man tells the story of a young Chinese boy by the name of Liu Zhenying (better

known by his Christian brothers and sisters as Brother Yun).  He was born into a poor farming family in 1958 as the 4th of 5 children in China's Henan Province.  When he was still young his father became very sick with cancer and was told by the doctors that he would soon die.  One night, after trying many unsuccessful ways to heal their father, Liu's mother heard a voice say to her "Jesus loves you".  Immediately she called everyone together and told them to pray to Jesus to heal their father.  The next morning he was found to be much better!  Within a week his cancer was completely gone.  This was the turning point in Brother Yun's family.  He, along with all of his brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, received the knowledge and love of Jesus into their hearts because of this testimony of healing power.  Blessed with the amazing ability to memorize whole books of the Bible in only one month, Yun began preaching and teaching to the people in the surrounding villages- he was 16.  Because of his boldness Brother Yun was soon a target on the enemies radar. I wish I could go into more detail about the persecutions he endured, the many times God miraculously intervened and set him free from the enemies hands, the way of faith that he followed and is still following to this day, etc. but time (and space) does not allow.  Although the PSB (mainland China's "police") tried repeatedly to kill him the Lord brought him through the fiery furnace even stronger than before.  Finally, he, along with is wife and 2 children, were able to escape to Germany (although it took several years of long hard work).  He now assists in operating a ministry called "Back to Jerusalem".  The goal of this ministry is to train and send out Chinese Christians to all the countries east of China to Jerusalem as ministers in some of the darkest regions on earth.  While no longer in his home country, Brother Yun continues to teach and to preach God's Word boldly and passionately.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to draw closer to Jesus.  Because of some graphic descriptions of the torture he repeatedly endured I would not recommend this book for young children.

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah 

Recipe: Noodle and Chicken Bake

"These all wait for You, that You may give them their food in due season."

Psalm 104:27

I was planning on writing up a book review but things are busier than I anticipated.  We had a yard sale to do, my cousin's regatta to attend, and hungry men to feed as our kitchen addition started earlier this morning!  Phew!  I hope you enjoy this recipe.  It's easy, yummy, and great for large crowds!  Enjoy!

Noodle and Chicken Bake

3 1/2 cups water
1 cup milk
4 T. butter
4 t. chicken boullion
2 t. dried parsley (or a 1/4 cup fresh)
12 oz. bag of egg noodles
1 large can of chicken (or 1 large chicken breast)
1 cup parmesan

Combine the first 5 ingredients and heat in microwave until hot.  Lay out uncooked noodles in a 9x13 pan and top with chicken.  Pour hot mixture over noodles and chicken.  Cook covered at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.  Then stir in parmesan and cook last 5 minutes uncovered.
Serve with green beans and rolls!

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah 

The Look

"But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!"  Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  So Peter went out and wept bitterly."
Luke 22:60-62

I have always paused when I come to this section of Scripture, trying to comprehend what that look must have said.  Can you imagine?!  It must have been full of love, pity, compassion, and yet disappointment.  After 3 years in His presence you would think He would expect something more from His disciples...but He didn't.  He remembered that they were but flesh and prayed for them.  He knew every sinful thought, every evil deed of the past and yet He loved them.  He understood His mission and knew it would have to be accomplished alone.

Just like Jesus loved the disciples with all their sins and weaknesses, so He loves us.  Now, please understand that I am not condoning a sinful lifestyle.  If we call ourselves Christians we should live like Christ.  He calls us to be "holy as He is holy"...that is the ultimate goal.  But what I am saying is that Jesus does not wait for us to be perfect before He saves us.  Jesus lived with sinners, called sinners to be His disciples, and died for sinners.  To this day He continues to use sinners to bring glory and honor to Himself - All Glory to God!

Jesus is right now looking at each one of us.  What does that look say?  Is it saying, "well done, good and faithful servant" or is it warning us that we've strayed off the straight and narrow?  Do Jesus' eyes light up when He sees me or are they dim with sadness because I have chosen something or someone over Him?

During this Resurrection weekend may we dwell on the face of Him who died for us.  May we learn from the look we find there.

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
         

Help me to know

Help me to know how much it cost
For You to die upon that cross,
To take my sins and cast them away
So that I might with You forever stay!


Help me to know the depth of Your love,
Give me the passion to proclaim why You came from above;
That others might know and experience such joy,
Old or young, girl or boy.


Help me to know what Your will is for me
To carry it out so You are honored and pleased;
To rely on You and Your strength alone
Knowing I'm but dust whom only You could atone.

A poem the Lord gave me recently!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Friendship With God

"Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?"

Genesis 18:17

"This chapter brings out the delight of real friendship with God as compared with occasional feelings of His presence in prayer.  To be so much in contact with God that you never need to ask Him to show you His will, is to be nearing the final stage of your discipline in the life of faith.  When you are rightly related to God, it is a life of freedom and liberty and delight, you are God's will, and all your common-sense decisions are His will for you unless He checks.  You decide things in perfect delightful friendship with God, knowing that if your decision are wrong He will always check; when He checks, stop at once.

Why did Abraham stop praying when He did?  He was not intimate enough yet to go boldly on until God granted his desire, there was something yet to be desired in  his relationship God.  Whenever we stop short in prayer and say- "Well, I don't know; perhaps it is not God's will," there is still another stage to go.  We are not so intimately acquainted with God as Jesus was, and as He wants us to be- "That they may be one even as we are one."  Think of the last thing your prayed about- were you devoted to your desire or to God?  Determined to get some gift of the Spirit or to get at God?  "Your Heavenly Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him."  The point of asking is that you may get to know God better.  "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."  Keep praying in order to get a perfect understanding of God Himself."

by Oswald Chamber in "My Utmost for His Highest"

This devotional for today challenged me as I search for God's will for my life.  I realized that I shouldn't be searching for His will but for Him.  Am I more devoted to serving Him or knowing Him?  Which is more important in the long run?  I have so much more to learn about Him and His Word.  I should not be content with just scratching the surface.  Will you dig deeper with me?

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah 

Blooming?

"I went down to the garden of nuts to see the verdure of the valley, to see whether the vine had budded And the pomegranates had bloomed."

Song of Songs 6:11

Have you ever heard of the phrase "bloom where you are planted"?  Jesus has been teaching me, through this phrase, that I should be all I can for Him right where He's placed me.  Lately I've been struggling with being all I can for Him in the little things, in the monotonous things, in the everyday things.  Life is normal.  I haven't had any sky-parting revelations of late or clear directions from the Lord.  I feel like I've been waiting for Him to speak for a long time.  But these things do not give me an excuse for pouring myself wholeheartedly into everything.  During this time of stillness I should be diligently applying the Scriptures and digging deeper into His Word.  Am I?

Photography for Jesus

Another thing I've been asking myself is "am I blooming or am I just growing?".  Growing is good, don't get me wrong, but if a plant just grows it never accomplishes its true purpose...to bloom.  When a plant blooms it proves that it has reached full maturity.  It's beauty is admired by all passer-by's or perhaps it is plucked and given away to one deserving of it.  Am I blooming right here, right now or am I content with just growing?  Am I being used where I'm planted or am I "saving" my service for something worth-while?  Is not every place of service worth-while if it is for Jesus?  These are thoughts that have been on my head of late.  What are some of yours?

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Colossians 3:17

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah      

Marriage

One of the greatest gifts is to have the opportunity to watch two wonderful, godly people join together in holy matrimony!  I enjoyed such a blessing earlier today! 
The Lord has instituted marriage to be a holy union between a man and a woman for several purposes.  I'd like to list a few that I've learned below.

1) One of the Lord's goals for marriage is to bring forth godly seed.
"But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit?  And why one?  He seeks godly offspring.  Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth."
Malachi 2:15
Children are the next generation's pastors, missionaries, doctors, evangelists, teachers, mothers, fathers, etc.  If we didn't have godly children being taught by godly parents the world would be drastically different.  They are the ones picking up the torch and carrying it on for the gospel's sake.  The Bible clearly states that children are a blessing.  I'm so thankful that my parents embraced this truth.  They are already beginning to reap the fruit that they've sown.

2) Another of the Lord's goals for marriage to accurately represent Christ and His church.  Wow, what a responsibility!
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing,but that she would be holy and without blemish."
Ephesians 5:25-27
There should be a stark contrast between a couple who loves the Lord and is trying to honor Him in their lives and those who are just trying to make it work.  People are always watching you...may we never forget that!

3) A third thing was for fellowship and encouragement.  See what Solomon says in his book Ecclesiastes.
"Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."  Ecc. 4:12

Or what about what God said at the very beginning...
"And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.""
Genesis 2:18
It is always easier to finish a race with someone you know beside you.  They encourage, strengthen, and challenge you.  That is what I believe God calls a husband and wife to be to each other.

Although I have not yet embarked into this part of life.   I look forward to the day the Lord gives me a man than I can serve, encourage, and finish the race with.  But if that is not where He wants me to serve Him then I must trust that He has plans far better, beyond what I could ever ask, think, or imagine.  I strive, with the Lord's help, to accomplish this verse while single (however long that may be ;)....
"There is a difference between a wife and a virgin.  The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit."
1 Corinthians 7:34 
Perhaps I'll do a post about singles next.... :)

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Recipe: Au Gratin Potatoes

It is currently 8:30 pm and I still haven't written up a weekly post!  Oh well, I guess you'll have to settle with a quick recipe :).  This recipe is great as a side dish with hamburgers, tuna, or chicken.  Enjoy!


Au Gratin Potatoes

9 potatoes, sliced thin
1-2 onions, chopped
1 stick butter
Little over 1/2 cup flour
3 1/2 cups milk
3 1/3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Saute onions and butter.  Once onions are soft add flour as you stir.  Then slowly add milk, salt, and pepper.  Turn up to medium heat until mixture begins to bubble.  Add as much milk/flour as needed until you reach the right consistency.  Add cheese and stir.  Pour over thinly sliced potatoes.  Cook covered at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 1/2 hours.

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My mom, some siblings, and I competed in our first 5K this morning.  It was exhilerating!  I am not, repeat NOT, a gifted runner but I kept saying this verse to myself throughout the morning:
"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31
Although I definitely did not fly (I was hoping I would sprout wings or something ;-) the Lord still taught me that sometimes His strength is not given in exactly the way I want.  His ways are not our ways...they are so much higher!  What a great God we have!!

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

 

Book Review: Bonhoeffer

First off, this book was a challenge for even an avid book worm like me to complete in one month!  With over 530 pages you get a very detailed account of the beginning, middle, and end of Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  I received this book for Christmas and have enjoyed learning about this fellow believer who gave his life to try and save Germany from the crash course it was on.

Born on February 6th, 1906, Dietrich was the 6th of 8 children in a well-to-do German family.  His father, a psychiatrist and neurologist, while not a religious man did not mind his wife's faith and allowed her to teach the children.  With such an illustrious father along with one older brother who was a lawyer and another brother who was a scientist, it was quite surprising to the Bonhoeffer family when Dietrich informed them that he had a chosen a profession in theology; he was 14.  When he was 17 he entered Berlin University, earning his doctorate by age 21.  During his time there he continued to have a ""free, critical and independent" theological thinking".  After college he traveled to many countries including Spain, America, and England.  Frequently he compared the different theological differences in each country and eloquently explained his view and why.  His conviction that the Bible and the Bible alone was enough to answer all questions put him at odds with many professors and theologians all over the world.  As Hitler began to infiltrate the German church, Bonhoeffer, according to God's calling, set out to try and separate the church from the world.  Although many believed and followed him, the church was too far gone to completely turn around.  Finally, Pastor Bonhoeffer with several other pastors and teachers separated from the church of Germany and called themselves the "Confessing Church".  As Germany became more hostile to Christians and Jews Bonhoeffer, with the help of foreign friends, decided to leave for America before the borders were closed.  Although he made it safely to the US he was never content.  After much prayer and indecisiveness he felt the Lord leading him back to his home country.  He knew that hostility, persecution, and possibly death awaited him but where the Lord led he followed.  Not too long after his return Dietrich joined the Abwehr (similar to the CIA or FBI here in the USA) and personally began to assist in the plot(s) against Hitler.  Eventually the Gestapo arrested the most prominent members of the Abwehr because of some vague suspicions.  After the failed Stauffenberg Plot (arranged and carried out by members of the Abwehr) Hitler had all those involved, even remotely, executed.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer was transferred to several different Nazi concentration camps before he was executed at Flossenburg; 2 weeks before Hitlers suicide.

Bonhoeffer fought to save Germany and then fought to save the world.  He was considered a passifist to some degree but when the monster of a ruler was about to take over the whole world, he felt that it was his duty to do all he could to save it.  In this case it meant getting rid of the monster - Hitler.   In order to understand more of this complicated subject you must read this book!  I don't really know what I would've done if I had been in this situation.  I lean more towards the command "Thou shalt not murder", but would it have been murder or justice?  Hmm...
Although long it was very informative and I learned many new things about World War II, Germany, and Hitler.

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah