Cracking an Egg with One Hand

Titus 2 Thursday: An Easy Christian Life

Meg — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:30:55 +0000

This morning’s post was written by Lisa Metzger. She is the devoted helpmeet to Mark, keeper of her home and a 2nd generation homeschool mommy to soon-to-be 9 blessings so far (5 biological, 3 adopted and one more blessing to be adopted soon). Stop by and visit her at A Second Generation of Homeschooling or come visit their family blog, God’s Plan for Families!

“Comfortable living produces weak character.”

Have you ever noticed how the world generally views a carefree and comfortable life as a primary goal and aspiration? After all, how often do we hear talk of shortcuts that claim to make life easier? We are confronted with this selfish way of thinking on a daily basis. Yes, some tips and suggestions can be used to better manage our time, but more often we are all being programmed to desire that commonly sought after life of comfort and ease. When Christians come to desire that comfortable way of living, are we seeking to take the easy way out in life?

An online dictionary described “the easy way out” as:

1. Capable of being accomplished or acquired with ease; posing no difficulty
2. Requiring or exhibiting little effort or endeavor; undemanding
3. Free from worry, anxiety, trouble, or pain
4. Causing little hardship, distress or cost
5. Without haste or agitation: Relax and take it easy for a while.
6. With little effort; easily: success that came too easy.

Doesn’t the Christian life include serving others, which includes experiencing hardships that result in spiritual growth? Does this description of “the easy way out” fit that picture? What does Scripture say we are to expect in life?

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:13-15

According to that Scripture, the Christian’s life should be full of adversity, IF we are determined to live a godly life. We should not always expect or readily desire comfort and earthly prosperity, as this world encourages us to attain. Instead, we should look for ways to serve our families, expecting trials, knowing that by choosing to live the more challenging life we will be made wise through our faith in Jesus!

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:8-10

God’s grace is always ample for what we experience in life! Therefore, we should take pleasure in our weaknesses, delight in the insults hurled toward us, rejoice in our hardships and celebrate our difficulties. We can do ALL things through Christ who gives us that ample and sufficient strength. If through trials we bring Him further Glory, we should be exuberant! Through our ebedience to this Scripture, we find that through these trials we become STRONG! What a wonderful promise!

I, for one, would rather be refined by my Father through life’s difficulties and live a life developing Godly character! A comfortable life will only lead to spiritual monotony and ruin.

What do you do to live a more challenging life in Christ?

What areas in life are you tempted to take the easy way out?

How can you overcome those thoughts and desires?

What Scriptures have you found to help develop your character in your God-given role in life?
~~~
Join me each Thursday as I share one of the At the Well – In Pursuit of Titus 2 devotionals that has impacted my role as a wife and mother.

Spiced Kombucha

Meg — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:30:07 +0000

Our family loves kombucha. My husband and I can finish off about 3-4 gallons a week without trying, and if we add our children (who LOVE “tickle juice”), we can easily go through 5 gallons. We began making our own kombucha some time ago, because as I’m sure many people can attest to, when you get hooked on it, you either learn to make it or go bankrupt! We use the basic recipe from Nourishing Traditions to make ours, but this particular recipe is something we came up with to use up all our leftover spiced cider from the holidays. (We do not drink juice normally, particularly apple juice, because of it’s high sugar content.) We do crush our own apples for cider, which allows us to have easy access for these holidays when not much tastes as nice as a hot cup of cider!

Spiced Kombucha
1/2 gallon black tea kombucha
1 quart apple cider (otherwise known as apple juice that hasn’t been filtered, pasturized, or sweetened)
1/4 c. mulling spices (I use a mixture to taste of cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, whole all spice, dried orange rind, and chopped whole nutmeg)

Simmer apple cider and spices until the cider has a pronounced spice flavor, and allow to cool to room temperature.
Combine cooled spiced cider and kombucha. (I brew in a gallon jar, so I have enough room to do this, if not, adjust recipe size to fit whatever large jar you have.)
Cover jar tightly, and allow to sit at room temperature up to 3 days (with the cooler weather, it takes longer, or I just add a SCOBY back into the top (and leave it uncovered for a day) to quicken the process), then store in the fridge.

This is one of the nicest ways to use up “leftover” juice of any kind, but I particularly like it with the apple cider, since kombucha itself is often said to have an “apple cider vinegar” flavor that blends nicely with the mulling spices.
Word of the wise:
Don’t go by the smell! It is not a pleasant smell while brewing AT ALL.
Well, I could just be extra sensitive, being pregnant and all…

Enjoy!

Be sure to check out all the other fantastic holiday treats during Stephanie’s Carnival!

Menu for December 6th – 12th

Meg — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:30:41 +0000

Busy, busy, busy! I can’t believe how many different things I managed to schedule in this week – and I KNOW I’m going to regret it!
Well, except for all the good food… Between our Chapter potluck for the Weston Price Foundation and a holiday party on Friday, we’ll be eating some absolutely delicious nourishing food! I AM looking forward to that!

Menu

Sunday
breakfast: apple spice pancakes, pumpkin butter, whipped cream
lunch: burritos w/ beef, rice, beans, lettuce, salsa
dinner: parmesan potatoes, broccoli, salad

Monday
breakfast: cornmeal mush, raisin chutney
lunch: vegetable noodle soup w/carrots, celery, kale, zucchini, potatoes
dinner: roasted chicken, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, salad

Tuesday
breakfast: potato, spinach, and cheese omelets
lunch: macaroni and cheese, green beans
dinner: chili, cornbread, salad

Wednesday
breakfast: yogurt parfaits
lunch: taco salad
dinner: WAPF potluck – taking beef wellington, and homemade spiced cider

Thursday
breakfast: scrambled eggs, sausage, toast
lunch: Building a Natural Medicine Cabinet class – taking applesauce cake & raw milk
dinner: lentil, kale, and sausage stew, biscuits

Friday
breakfast: biscuits, sausage gravy, fruit
lunch: roasted butternut squash, green beans
dinner: Holiday Party – taking pot roast w/vegetables, homemade spiced cider

Sabbath
breakfast: baked pumpkin oatmeal
lunch: potato soup, cheese crackers, salad
dinner: Christmas Parade in Kerman – taking l/o soup, crackers, and something HOT to drink!

Kitchen Preparation Schedule
Sabbath evening
- soak flour for pancakes
- chop and marinate potatoes

Sunday
- soak cornmeal
- defrost chicken
- boil potatoes

Monday
- soak beans
- soak cornmeal
- defrost spinach
- start roast marinating for Wed.

Tuesday
- drain yogurt
- sear beef
- make duxelles for wellington

Wednesday
- soak flour for cake
- make beef wellington
- soak flour for biscuits
- soak lentils

Thursday
- soak flour for crackers
- start pot roast marinating for Friday night

Friday
- soak oats for oatmeal
- make potato soup ready for crockpot
- make crackers

Menu for November 29th – December 5th

Meg — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:30:29 +0000

We’re heading into the Christmas season – filled with lots of joy, fun, happiness, food, family,
and a very full calendar.
With Advent services each Wednesday night, in addition to our Monday night Bible studies, plus the herbal/natural healing classes I’m helping teach…
oh, and we’re 35 weeks pregnant, too, so I’m trying to get freezer meals set up, and menu plans written ahead of time.

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

Menu
Sunday
breakfast: baked pumpkin oatmeal, raw cream
lunch: pizza, salad
dinner: mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread

Monday
breakfast: omelets, toast
lunch: red lentil soup, greens
dinner: individual turkey pot pies

Tuesday
breakfast: muesli cereal, apples
lunch: egg noodles, green beans
dinner: tacos w/ beef, cortido, salsa, sour cream

Wednesday
breakfast: yogurt parfaits, granola
lunch: grilled cheese, vegetable soup
dinner: roasted butternut squash, quinoa, salad

Thursday
breakfast: pumpkin pancakes, whipped cream
lunch: kale, sausage and potato soup, bread
dinner: pasta bake w/beef, salad

Friday
breakfast: scrambled eggs, potatoes
lunch: fried chicken, steamed swiss chard
dinner: spicy vegetable stew, biscuits, salad

Sabbath
breakfast: apple spice muffins, homemade cream cheese frosting
lunch: roasted chicken, broccoli, salad
dinner: popcorn, fruit salad

Kitchen Prep Schedule
Sabbath evening
- soak oats
- soak flour for pizza crust
- boil potatoes

Sunday
- soak lentils
- roast pumpkins
- soak flour for pie crusts

Monday
- soak muesli
- defrost beef

Tuesday
- soak quinoa

Wednesday
- soak flour for pancakes
- make bread

Thursday
- soak flour for biscuits, muffins
- drain yogurt to make cream cheese

Friday
- make muffins, frosting
- defrost chicken

Be sure to join Laura each week for more than 400 other menu plans, recipe ideas, and more!

Menu for November 22nd – 28th

Meg — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:30:45 +0000

My favorite time of the year! Not only do we join this week with millions of others to give thanks to a loving and gracious Lord, but we do it sitting in front of an abundance of food. Praise God for His blessings!

I was tasked with bringing green beans for our family Thanksgiving – I think they’re taking pity on the pregnant woman… I don’t feel like I’m going to be contributing much! Also, it’s my birthday on Friday, so the menu has a possibility of changing, if my husband decides to treat me to a dinner out!

I’m attempting to use things we already have at home, since going shopping with two little boys ends up being complicated with the addition of holiday rush… Our kale is gorgeous, the swiss chard is still going strong (I am going to let some of it bolt and save the seed – this has been the BEST swiss chard, and the longest lasting!), and we have some sweet little butternut squash just coming off the vines now! Also, our lettuce is doing quite well – and the bitterness seems to fade if I give it a day in the fridge after cutting

Menu
Sunday
breakfast: biscuits, sausage gravy, fruit salad
lunch: sandwiches, l/o soup
dinner: snack platter (apples, crispy walnuts, dried fruit, yogurt dip)

Monday
breakfast: scrambled eggs, biscuits
lunch: spaghetti, broccoli
dinner: braised brisket, wild rice, butternut squash

Tuesday
breakfast: oatmeal w/apples and cinnamon
lunch: l/o squash, rice patties
dinner: sweet and sour chicken, broccoli, udon noodles

Wednesday
breakfast: cornmeal mush, raisin chutney
lunch: noodle and beef bake, steamed spinach
dinner: sweet potato and green bean stew, brown rice

Thursday
breakfast: kale and sausage quiche
lunch/dinner: Thanksgiving at Maple House

Friday
breakfast: baked pumpkin oatmeal
lunch: fried cornmeal, creamed spinach
dinner: turkey stew (NT recipe), rolls

Sabbath
breakfast: gingerbread pancakes
lunch: pot roast w/potatoes, carrots, salad, bread
dinner: popcorn, fruit salad

Prep Schedule
Sabbath evening
- soak flour for biscuits
- defrost gravy

Sunday
- make gravy
- make biscuits
- cut up fruit for salad
- defrost brisket
-soak wild rice

Monday
- make biscuits
- soak oats
- defrost chicken

Tuesday
- make rice patties
- soak cornmeal
- defrost sw. pot. stew
- soak brown rice
- shred beef

Wednesday
- make casserole
- soak crust for quiche
- prep green beans in crock pot for Thanksgiving

Thursday
- start green beans in crockpot
- make quiche
- soak oats

Friday
- soak flour for pancakes
- defrost pot roast
- chop veggies for roast
- make bread
- pick salad greens

Be sure to join Laura each week for more than 400 other menu plans, recipe ideas, and more!

Titus 2 Thursday: Living a life of hospitality

Meg — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:45:30 +0000

This morning’s post was written by Andrea Parunak. Daughter of the King, full time help meet to her knight in shining armor, and mother to four exuberant blessings. She blogs at Pursuing Titus 2.

Use hospitality one to another without grudging. –1 Peter 4:9

I’m an introvert…and a perfectionist…and my house has an open door policy. We host a church meeting/fellowship meal once a week, and have guests over usually at least once a week also, and frequently that is entirely spur of the moment. Sometimes we’ll have company multiple nights in a row. My husband and I feel really burdened to love people through meeting their needs, and that so often means giving them a meal and spending time with them. Did I mention I’m an introvert and a perfectionist? Oh, and I have four small children. It’s been a stretching experience.

Here’s what I’m learning.

Treat every day like company’s coming.

In the old days, you know, before we had multiple children, I would spend the entire day getting ready for company that was coming in the evening. I cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed, dusted, and cooked. We moved our piles of stuff and unsorted mail out of the living room and hid it away in the back bedrooms. Then when every one arrived, they were welcomed into a clean, uncluttered environment, with lots of yummy food, made from scratch.

I can’t do that anymore.

For one thing, it’s been years since I was able to devote a whole day to any one thing. And if having people over meant that level of schedule clearing, we would hardly ever get to do it, because I have to keep the laundry going, library books returned, and shopping done. And as much as my kids might like it, we really can’t cancel homeshooling every time we want to have company over for dinner.

The freedom to invite people over spur of the moment, and even the freedom to have people come during the week when I’m also trying to homeschool and keep up with everything else, depends on never letting the house fall into total and utter disarray. I can’t save all my cleaning up for the day that guests are coming. I can’t let piles of stuff accumulate in the living room. We need to keep our home basically in “company” shape all the time, so that with only a quick clean up, we’re ready to enjoy our guests. I try to keep chipping away at things on a regular basis, getting a little cleaning done every day (usually in the morning, when the baby’s the happiest) and continually tidying up toys, and mail, and school supplies, so nothing ever looks too shocking. (Notice that I said, “try.” It doesn’t always work out quite like I plan.)

Friendly trumps fancy.

I love to cook (especially dessert). And if I’m going to have company over, I want to pull out all the stops and make a huge amount of fabulous, gourmet food. I used to have the freedom to do this quite a bit, but now that I’m investing so much in my own family, “company” meals have gotten simpler. This grates on my perfectionist nerves no end. It’s especially hard when we realize it would be such fun to be able to share a meal with the neighbors, who’ve been kindly helping with yard work, or with a friend from church that we ran into at the store, and then I’m face to face with not having spent the whole day cooking. There’s always a part of me that wants to scream, “NO, we can’t have them over. I have nothing impressive to serve!”

But friendly trumps fancy. Of course, it’s lovely if I can put on a feast, but if I have to choose between a simple meal that we get to share with guests and not having guests over at all, then simple wins. Besides, I know that when the tables are turned, and I’m the guest, I much prefer feeling loved and included rather than kept at arm’s length and only invited in when things are lavish.

Put family first.

It doesn’t do any good to try to take care of other people if my own family is suffering, and I never want my children to feel like they’re in my way or like I love other people more than I love them. If I’m trying to get ready for company and one of my children needs something, then it’s time to stop a minute and take care of my child, even if it means that I have one fewer dishes on the table that evening, or that dinner is slightly late. This is another place that my perfectionism gets stretched. But I would so much rather be a perfectionist about loving my children than a perfectionist about how my table looks.

Pride is NOT invited.

Being the perfectionist that I am, there is always the temptation to think that the reason we have people over is to show them what a beautiful home I keep, and what a fantastic cook I am, and, of course, what angelic, well-behaved children I raise. Surprisingly, this is not actually a good reason to have people over. Welcoming people into our home just so they can be awed by me is not really hospitality. Hospitality is sharing what we have and focusing on others so they can feel loved and valued. Therefore, it follows that if I’m blessed with company on a less than impressive day, then I just need to chill and share.

Sometimes this is really hard, especially when I’ve failed to take to heart one of the first three lessons, like when new people visit our church, and I think, “Wow, it surely would be nice to have them over and get to know them a bit, BUT aaargh, I didn’t do the breakfast dishes because we were late, and the table isn’t wiped! They’re going to see crumbs!!! And the toddler’s wet clothes from the last potty accident are still hanging in the bathroom. And I didn’t make the children put away their toys in the living room before we left for church. And, and, and, they’re going to think I’m a slob.”

Or maybe they’ll think just I’m a real human being who wants to reach out to them. And maybe that’s the biggest thing I’m learning about hospitality. It works as a lifestyle when we can be who we really are and just reach out.

Join me on Thursdays when I share one of the At The Well – Pursuing Titus 2 devotionals that has made an impact on my daily walk with the Lord as a mother and wife.

Menu for November 8th – 14th

Meg — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:30:44 +0000

Sunday
breakfast: omelets, toast, fruit
lunch: sandwich platter
dinner: chicken burritos, salsa, sour cream

Monday
breakfast/lunch: A Busy Mom’s Guide to a Nourishing Breakfast class
dinner: roasted beef w/mushrooms, potatoes, carrots, green beans

Tuesday
breakfast: baked oatmeal w/ apples and raisins, cream
lunch: sausages, l/o vegetables
dinner: spaghetti, meat sauce, broccoli

Wednesday
breakfast: fried potatoes, scrambled eggs
lunch: grilled cheese, tomato soup
dinner: fajitas w/beef, onions, peppers, sour cream, cortido

Thursday
breakfast: pancakes w/peanut butter, applesauce
lunch: quesadillas, guacamole, sour cream
dinner: sweet potatoes, greens, salad

Friday
breakfast: biscuits, sausage gravy
lunch: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit slices
dinner: wild rice & mushrooms stew, rye rolls

Sabbath
breakfast: pumpkin pie casserole
lunch/dinner: Thanksgiving at Boppy and Bess’s house

Prep Schedule
Sabbath evening
- shred chicken for burritos

Sunday
- prep oats, flour, for soaking for class
- chop vegetables for roast and class

Monday
- soak oats
- defrost sausages
- start beef stock

Tuesday
- marinate fajita mix

Wednesday
- soak flour for pancakes
- finish and strain stock

Thursday
- soak flour for biscuits

Friday
- make biscuits, gravy
- make casserole for Sabbath

Household Schedule
Sunday
- change olive brine
- prepare class materials
- weed/mulch garden
- pull up bean plants, hang to dry
- water garden

Monday
- call to set up midwife appt.
- Nourishing Breakfast class 9 am- noon
- tutoring in Kerman 5 pm

Tuesday
- water garden
- clean out chicken coop
- stack garden fencing

Wednesday
Brian – no school
- doctor appt 8 am
- Maple House to clean up
- Jake eye appt 3 pm

Thursday
- prep for Remedies class
- Remedies class 6 pm
- water garden

Friday
- clean house
- make beds for company

Titus 2 Thursday: A Parable of Serving in Church

Meg — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:30:47 +0000

Once again, Andrea Parunak has completely overwhelmed me with her God-given insight, and witty method of approaching very delicate subjects.
Enjoy!

This morning’s post was written by Andrea Parunak. Daughter of the King, full time help meet to her knight in shining armor, and mother to four exuberant blessings. She blogs at Pursuing Titus 2.

It seems to me that a lot of conservative Christian women these days are suffering from a lack of vision. For many of us, things have begun to improve, but there’s been a lot of poison in our perspectives, a feeling that if we couldn’t do what the men were doing then maybe God had nothing for us to do, that maybe we’d been forgotten, left behind, like the pink tools on the workbench were second best, and the blue ones were getting all the use. In contemplating how this could have come about, I thought of the following story.

***

Once upon a time, Mrs. Jones gave her two children, Bobby and Suzy, chores to do. Bobby was told to take out the trash, and Suzy was assigned dishwasher duty. Then Mrs. Jones left for an all-day homeschool conference, and Bobby and Suzy got to work.

After emptying the bathroom wastebaskets, Bobby walked through the kitchen on his way to the trash bins in the garage, “Mommy thinks I’m smarter. That’s why she gave me the best job.” Suzy didn’t say anything.

As Bobby took the first big black trash bag down the driveway, Suzy saw Mr. Peterson wave as he pulled out of his driveway. The kitchen door banged as Bobby walked back through, announcing, “Mr. Peterson thinks I’m such a hard worker. He knows that I really love Mommy because I do such important jobs for her.” Suzy shoved the silverware drawer shut and stared at the mountain of dirty dishes.

Bobby pulled the trash bag out of the kitchen garbage can and headed back towards the garage. “You have to really be responsible to take out the trash,” he called over his shoulder, “and strong.”

“I’m responsible,” said Suzy to the dish soap. “I’m strong. And I love Mommy. I could take the trash out. Probably better than Bobby. Then Mr. Peterson would think I was a hard worker, too.” She dropped the plates recklessly into the dishwasher and threw the dirty forks into the silverware tray. “This is a ridiculous job. No one should have to do dishes. We’ll use paper plates for the rest of the day, and then I’ll take the trash out.”

Bobby didn’t really mind using paper plates. At first it seemed a bit strange, but he quickly forgot about it. If Suzy didn’t want to get the regular stuff out, it probably didn’t matter. He did notice, however, when Suzy started lifting the kitchen trash bag out to take it to the garage.

“Hey, you can’t do my job! You’re supposed to be in charge of getting the dishes done! Mommy assigned the trash to me!”

Suzy looked at the one lonely pan they had used to reheat their leftovers. “Are you saying that all I’m good for is washing one little pan while you take out bag after bag of garbage?”

***

OK, now let me ask you a few questions.

1. Based on the job assignments, which child do you think Mrs. Jones liked better?

2. Based on the job assignments, which child do you think Mrs. Jones felt was smarter, harder working, and more responsible?

3. Based on the job assignments, which child do you think had the best opportunity to show love to Mrs. Jones?

Remember your answers, we’ll come back to them.

This little story reflects something that I think has happened in the Church. God handed out some assignments, too, and many men and women have responded very much like Bobby and Suzy did.

God told men to be leaders in the Church and gave them shepherding and preaching roles. He gave women a lot to do as well. In 1 Timothy, in a discussion of the kind of widows the Church should care for, we get a picture of the life a godly woman should live.

…having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. –1 Timothy 5:9-10

We can find another assignment for women in Titus 2:3-5, where they’re commanded to teach younger women

…to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

But then, somewhere along the line, (with no input from God on the subject) we decided that men had the best jobs, and the idea developed that maybe God thought men were smarter (you know, because it takes so much more brain power to preach than it does to make complete strangers feel welcome in your home). And then we started thinking that people with the visible jobs were the hard workers, the ones with strong faith, who really loved God. And women, who knew in their hearts that they also had strong faith and loved God, decided that they wanted to be the leaders, too. Probably they could do a better job than the men, and then everyone would see how hard working they were.

Those jobs God gave to women started to look pretty ridiculous. No one should have to bring up children and relieve the afflicted.

And then we got out the paper plates. Birth control can save us from needing to bring up more than one or two children. The strangers can just check in to the local Holiday Inn. As for the saints, they can wash their own stinky feet (the bathroom’s the first door on the left). If you’re feeling afflicted, I’m sure there’s a nice ministry somewhere that addresses your need, or maybe a government program. Have you looked online? Diligently following every good work sounds so nebulous. Who knows what that means? We still like to teach younger women (and older ones, and men!), but God’s curriculum doesn’t seem so relevant these days. After all, no one needs to be taught how to do dishes when we have paper plates.

There were a few dissenters, who missed eating off china, but for the most part, the paper plates went unnoticed by most men in the Church, even the conservative ones…until it came time to take out the trash. Then the conservative, Bible-believing men woke up, and said, “Hey, you can’t preach! God assigned that to us. The Bible says you’re supposed to be silent in church and not usurp authority (1 Corinthians 14:34, 1 Timothy 2:12).”

And then the women looked around at a lonely world where no one seemed to need them, and said, “Are you saying all I’m good for is popping out a couple of kids and keeping my square foot of pew warm?”

OK, now back to those questions I asked a little while ago. Could you tell from the job assignments which child Mrs. Jones liked best, or how smart, hard-working, or responsible Mrs. Jones thought each of her kids was? Did one or the other of them have a better chance of showing love to their mother?

No, of course not. They were just jobs. Each child had an equal chance to work hard and show love to Mrs. Jones simply by being obedient in the specific jobs she had given them. The trouble started, not because Mrs. Jones thought one of her children was more capable than the other, or even because one job was intrinsically better than the other, but because her children arbitrarily decided that one job was better and that the job’s superiority somehow meant something.

And so it is in the Church. There is nothing intrinsically better in teaching an adult Sunday school class than there is in relieving the afflicted. It’s just that some people arbitrarily decided that there was. And the consequences are far worse than extra trash in the landfill. Those jobs that God gave women are actually really important, and the Church genuinely suffers when they don’t get done.

The pride, the jealousy, the misrepresentation of God’s purposes, AND the fact that half of the assignments He gave the Church have been turned in for paper plates mean that we’re falling far short of fulfilling God’s design for His people. We’ve all gotten so used to this stunted, imbalanced type of church, where everyone vies for one group of jobs and neglects the other, that when people get their Bibles out and read that women aren’t supposed to be preaching and leading, it doesn’t even occur to a lot of them that there is so much we are supposed to be doing that if we tackled half of it, we’d be so exhausted it would be laughable to think we’d even have time to preach. Instead the message is often simply, “Sit down and be quiet,” or in other words, “Paper plates are totally fine, just hands off the trash.” Hence the lack of vision.

The solution is for all of us to be humble, to love and appreciate our brothers and sisters and all the jobs that God has given us, and to open up that dusty cupboard, get out some real dishes, and see how exciting it can be when we’re all showing love to God through obedience.

Join me on Thursdays when I share one of the At The Well – Pursuing Titus 2 devotionals that has made an impact on my daily walk with the Lord as a mother and wife.

Menu for October 25th – 31st

Meg — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:30:27 +0000

Menu
Sunday
breakfast: apple bread pudding, cream
lunch: Rueben sandwiches, fruit
dinner: spaghetti, meatballs, salad

Monday
breakfast: soaked whole grain pancakes, sautéed apples
lunch: noodles with cheese sauce, vegetables
dinner: sesame buffalo drumsticks, potato salad

Tuesday
breakfast: fried eggs, potatoes
lunch: quinoa with l/o chicken, vegetables
dinner: taco salad

Wednesday
breakfast: biscuits, sausage gravy, fruit
lunch: chips, bean dip, salsa
dinner: chicken, rice pilaf, broccoli

Thursday
breakfast: soaked oatmeal, raisins, apples, cream
lunch: chicken and rice casserole, green beans
dinner: stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables

Friday
breakfast: crumpets, fruit, Devonshire cream
lunch: shepherds pie
dinner: sweet potato peanut soup, flatbread, salad

Sabbath
breakfast: pumpkin pie casserole
lunch: Chinese chicken salad
dinner: Harvest Treats party!

Kitchen Prep Schedule

Sunday
- defrost bread pudding
- make meatballs
- soak pancake flour
- defrost chicken drumsticks

Monday
- make cheese sauce
- marinate drumsticks
- cook potatoes for salad
- defrost beans for Tues. dinner

Tuesday
- soak flour for biscuits
- soak rice for pilaf

Wednesday
- make biscuits
- make bean dip
- marinate chicken
- soak oatmeal

Thursday
- make casserole
- boil potatoes
- defrost crumpets

Friday
- make Devonshire cream
- make flatbread
- make casserole
- shred chicken for salad

Household Schedule

Sunday
1) pick/crush pomegrantes for juice
2) post WAPF classes listing
3) change brine for olives

Monday
1) organize & file papers
2) herb session with Aedryca
3) water garden
4) wash Daddy’s uniforms

Tuesday
1) clean house
2) laundry
3) sort clothes for consignment

Wednesday
1) take clothes to consignment
2) Farmers Market
3) grocery shopping
4) water garden
5) wash Daddy’s uniforms

Thursday
1) laundry
2) water garden

Friday
1) clean house
2) wash sheets
3) water garden
4) iron Sabbath clothes

Be sure to join Laura each week for more than 400 other menu plans, recipe ideas, and more!

Titus 2 Thursday: Teaching responsibility and character development through chores

Meg — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:30:45 +0000

This morning’s post was written by Lisa Metzger. She is the devoted helpmeet to Mark, keeper of her home and a 2nd generation homeschool mommy to 8 blessings so far (5 biological and, 3 adopted). Stop by and visit her at A Second Generation of Homeschooling or come visit their family blog, God’s Plan for Families!

A lot of people look, especially at larger families, and wonder why they have their older children help out so much with chores and responsibilities. A lot of times we may hear the phrase, “Just let kids be kids.” Some might think that the older children in a large family are taking on parental roles, rather than enjoying their childhood. While I think that kids can be taken advantage of in this way, overall I think that this is a very dangerous mindset that many parents have adopted.

The Bible says that “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). If responsibility isn’t expected and taught in early childhood, laziness and a lack of responsibility will be the result.

Children

Requiring your children to do chores is something that is becoming rare these days. However, we Titus 2 moms want to prepare our children for LIFE! The longer we wait to teach them how to handle responsibility and develop great character traits, the more hectic our lives are and the more handicapped our children become.

A good rule of thumb, when divvying out chores, is to remember this: Do not do for your children what they can do for themselves! Does that mean that you sit and watch as your child struggles to do something? Maybe. If they are sick and COULD get up and feed the dog, but you excuse them from the chore so that they can rest, that would be very motherly, and would not be going against the maxim. In fact, you’d be exhibiting the character trait of compassion. However, do you give in when they purposefully do a poor job in order to get out of it? No. Make them follow through! Then, you’re teaching them the character trait of fortitude! In other words, use discretion, but remember that saying and it will help to develop strong leaders in your home.

Chore Ideas for Children Ages (5-6)
Unsupervised responsibilities (making bed, washing out trash cans, etc.). Help with more complicated meal preparations (making frozen juice, toast, helping with baking). Make own sandwich or simple breakfast and clean up. Pour own drink. Prepare the dinner table. Tear up lettuce for the salad. Help with younger siblings (entertaining while mom is out of the room, feeding/dressing toddler siblings). Laundry (sorting, learning to use the washer/dryer, measuring detergent, fold clean clothes and put them away). Cleaning (using cleaning supplies properly, cleaning unsupervised areas like bathtub or polishing furniture, clean mirrors and windows). Sons — carrying “heavy” things for mom and helping with yard work. By this time a child will begin to carry out responsibilities unasked and begin to offer help in areas parents don’t require help in. Make bed and clean room. Learn to tie shoes. Answer the telephone and begin to dial the phone. Help with yard work. Pay for small purchases. Help clean out the car. Take out the garbage. Feed pets and clean the living area.

Chore Ideas for Children Ages (6-7)
Regular quiet time becomes a part of daily routine. Totally unsupervised laundry responsibilities when needed. Learning the purpose and beginning usage of tools (lawn mower, hand tools, etc.) and helping with home maintenance. Shake rugs. Water plants and flowers. Prepare own lunch. Hang up own clothes in the closet. Rake leaves and weed. Tie own shoes. Care for his own minor injuries. Keep the garbage container clean. Clean out inside of car. Straighten or clean out silverware drawer. Oil and care for bike. Take phone messages. Sweep and wash patio area. Water the lawn. Wash dog or cat. Train pets. Take pet for walk. Carry in the groceries. Get self up in the morning and go to bed at night on own. Learn to be polite, courteous, and to share; respect others. Leave the bathroom in order. Do simple ironing with help.

Chore Ideas for Children Ages (8-10)
Complete responsibility for their rooms on a daily basis (bed making, dresser drawers, closet, vacuuming, etc.). Unsupervised yard work (i.e., lawn mowing, edging, clean-up, gardening). More complex meal preparations (pour and make tea, coffee, and instant drinks, using sharp instruments, baking, using appliances, beginning meal planning). More difficult cleaning projects (scrubbing kitchen floor, windows, cleaning appliances). Financial planning (computing percentages for saving, tithing, offerings, gift-giving and assuming responsibility with parental oversight). Begin car maintenance (helping dad with minor repairs, learning tool usage, washing/waxing). Help rearrange furniture. Help plan the layout. Run own bathwater. Shop for and select own clothing and shoes with parent. Fold blankets. Sew buttons and sew rips in seams. Cut flowers and make a centerpiece. Help with defrosting and cleaning the refrigerator. Feed the baby. Clean patio furniture. Change sheets and put dirty sheets in hamper. Buy groceries using a list and comparative shopping. Receive and answer own mail. Wait on guests. Pack own suitcase. Responsible for personal hobby. Handle self properly when in public places alone or with peers.

Chore Ideas for Children Ages (11-12 years)
Join outside organizations, do assignments, and attend. Able to take responsibility as a leader. Put siblings to bed and dress them. Clean pool and pool area. Respect others’ property. Mow lawn with supervision. Help Father build things and do family errands. Schedule himself time for studies. Buy own sweets or treats. Check and add oil to car under supervision.

Teens

I believe that one reason that the modern development of adolescence is so prevalent is that parents are encouraging easy and carefree lives for their children. Yes, that’s an entirely different post that I will save for another day. However, that doesn’t change the fact that there is nothing in the Bible that commends children being without responsibility. This is a recent trend. Adolescence, and the attitude which accompanies that terminology, are all quite new and modern and does not exist in MANY areas of the world. If you look at most children who are appreciated enough in their homes to have responsibilities and have learned to pitch in and help their family, they are well-rounded young adults, ready to be leaders at fairly young ages.

Chore Ideas for Teens
Along with those listed under the children’s section….Determine how late he should stay up during the week. Also determine how late he should be out for evening gatherings (through mutual parent-child discussion and agreement). Responsible for preparing family meals on occasion. Social awareness: good health, exercise, necessary rest, correct weight, nutritious food, physical examinations. Anticipate the needs of others and initiate the appropriate action. Acceptance of capabilities and limitations. Self-respect or individual worth. Responsibility for one’s decision. Mutual respect, loyalty, and honesty in the family.

Handing Down Chores

Our kids have chores as soon as they can crawl and they will pass them on to a younger sibling when the older one is ready to “graduate” to bigger and better chores and the younger sibling is ready to take on a new chore. The younger sibling will become the “apprentice” and the older becomes the “master or teacher.” The younger will watch the older do the chore between 2 and 5 times before they attempt it themselves. Then they move onto doing the chore themselves, with the older one watching and instructing PROPERLY (no bossing allowed…Mommy’s listening in). After about 2-5 times of the younger doing the chore under the older one’s supervision and instruction, the younger will do that chore on their own. From that point on, Mommy checks up on them randomly to see if it was completed properly. If it was not, then Mommy instructs the younger on how to correct it. Of course, age is always factored in…..I don’t expect my five year old to wipe the table the way I would. BUT, they should be doing it to the best of their ability.

Remember
Unfortunately, today’s society has taught us that life should be easy, kids should be kids, take the easy way out in life, but in all reality I cannot find where it says any of that in Scripture. In fact, Scripture says that LEADERS and SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE will work hard! Using the below Scriptures when teaching children about chores and hard work will mold their spirits now and train them for their futures! This is why we believe that children should regularly contribute to household maintenance and learn how to take care of younger children and babies. They should not be disciplining or parenting – that is the parents’ God-given responsibility – but they should be contributing and learning life skills What Christian mother doesn’t want to prepare our children for life and teach them to be godly leaders?

Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and never succeed. Proverbs 12:24

He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. Proverbs 12:11

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:22-24

Now is the time for action in training these young leaders of tomorrow!

Join me on Thursdays when I share one of the At The Well – Pursuing Titus 2 devotionals that has made an impact on my daily walk with the Lord as a mother and wife.