Hi Ruth!

I found your blog recently, and have been so touched and encouraged by what I’ve read. Thank you for being so transparent and willing to share.

Can I ask you what your time alone with God looks like? Do you have an order in which you go in or some sort of structure? When reading the Word, do you read the Bible only or do you use study guides? And if you use the Bible only, how do you choose which book in the Bible to read. Do you journal as you go along? This has been such a struggle for me lately. I want to grow in my walk with the Lord so much, and I\’m failing miserably right now. (Where might you tell a new person in Christ to start reading in the Bible?)

Thanks, Ruth. Blessings on your weekend with your precious family!

I so appreciate this question about time in the Word. It is an area of great challenge in my own life through these many years of child-rearing. I grew up with very little discipleship and almost no discipline. I then leaned towards legalism until I really understood the Gospel and the grace of God. It’s amazing how a life-long commitment to earning favor, responding in guilt, or giving up, can form a cycle that is difficult to break. That’s my story…

So onto the details:

I currently read the Proverbs daily (corresponding to the day of the month) and working my way through Phillipians (reading entire book once a day, but focusing on a few verses day by day…) My hubby is preaching in Philippians so it helps.

I used to use the MacArthur Bible study guides which are small and good with historical and biblical info. I tend to get more out of a study like that with others, while benefiting more personally from reading Scripture for memory and meditation, followed by a daily dose of Spurgeon’s Mornings and Evenings. (It’s so good!) I do not currently keep a devotional journal.

I think each person really has to look at the balance between more discipline (so as to use self-control and routine) and reading the Word to simply BE with the Lord. We so often miss the JOY and delight of being with Him by being so focused on doing something for Him. Worship is the goal of our quiet time, not service…this is what I remind myself daily.

Some resources:

Shopping For Time is a good resource on prioritizing in a woman’s life. I wrote this post about getting up at 5:45am to have time alone in the Word. (I don’t currently get up at 5:45am!)

How To Worship Jesus Christ is a fabulous little book on true worship. I wrote about being rooted deeply to the Living Water here.

The Gospel Primer is a great concise book that helps you preach the Gospel to yourself each day. The Preacher wrote this post about saturating our homes with God’s Word.

If you are in a dry season in your walk with the Lord, or if you feel discouraged in your study of the Word…take heart! He is not through with you yet! Ask the Lord for more desire for Him and for His Word. That is my prayer for myself. He is worthy! 

The Preacher’s dad, my dear father-in-law, gifted us his specially formulated blackening spice mix at Christmastime. A dusting of this fragrant mixture transforms fish and meats alike. A ubiquitous, modest chicken breast starts tasting a bit like something served up at the neighborhood bistro when “blackened” on the grill, and served over a crisp cobb salad. And because he’s a generous kind of guy, Dad is sharing his recipe with all you lovelies today…enjoy!

Cajun Dust Blackening Spice Mix

4 tablespoons paprika
3 tablespoons black pepper, coarsely ground
3 tablespoons basil, dried (flakes)
3 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons oregano, dried (flakes)
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons white pepper
2 tablespoons thyme, dried (flakes)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon sea salt, coarsely ground
1/4 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Combine all ingredients. Store in airtight container. Makes approx. 1.5 cups of cajun dust.

Rub on meat. Let stand for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking.

We are in the fifth chapter of Feminine Appeal this month: The Pleasure of Purity. I hope you’ve joined in by reading with us month by month as we study this encouraging book on the seven virtues of a godly wife and mother found in Titus 2.

The topic of purity in sexual intimacy can evoke feelings of restraint or that of freedom. Clearly, we live in a culture that regards biblical purity as the former, but we as God’s beloved know better….Or do we? 

“Purity’s pleasure is receiving sex as a wonderful gift from our Creator and enjoying it for His glory.” (p. 82)

Intimacy in marriage was intended for our enjoyment. But, let’s be honest…how often do we echo, in the way we act, the world’s perception that the most fun to be had is before marriage rather than in the God-honoring union of marriage. It’s everywhere in our culture, and sometimes, it is in the way we think about intimacy within our own marriages. The Bible doesn’t speak about sex within marriage as boring or laborious, so why should we?

Unfortunately, sin robs us of joy and makes bland the sweetest delights. And yet, the goal of the Christian life is not morality or purity (which are great byproducts!); the goal of the Christian life is love and submission to Christ. Thus,

“God does not ‘prevent’ our conflict with sin. Rather He directs us to draw upon His inexhaustible supply of grace so that we can resist sexual temptation and grow in purity.” (p. 88) and…

“Growth in purity can only be realized as we look upward to Jesus Christ.” (p. 88)

We’d be remiss to think of purity as pertaining only to those who are unmarried. The clarion call to purity is the same within marriage. We guard our marriages by guarding our thoughts and our actions–by honoring the Lord with both.

We are reminded in this chapter that cultivating affectionate thoughts towards our husbands encourages a longing for them, and in turn, increases our joy and pleasure in the intimacy within our marriages. Doesn’t this remind you of the very first virtue we studied…that of loving our husbands with a phileo love? I’m so convicted when I recognize that I eagerly serve and sacrifice, but am not always as eager to love affectionately and tenderly.

Sisters, we can grow in affectionate love for our husbands as we seek to honor and respect them in our hearts and in our thoughts first. Purity is indeed meant for pleasure–for freedom to enjoy all that we can within the design and goodness of our loving God. Let us grow in our love for Christ, and seek to grow in our desire for the pleasure He intended for us in marriage.

If you’ve been reading along with me here, please leave a comment with your thoughts. Thank you for joining the discussion!

Welcome to Grace Laced Mondays! Grace is found in the everyday when you are intentional about taking note of it.

It is found in the sink full of dishes awaiting you after a family meal, it shines in the faces of your imperfect children, it soothes from the pages of God’s Word, and it is tucked into the enjoyment of a fresh batch of cookies. Grace is in a beautiful moment and a heartbreaking one alike. Grace is blessing beyond what you and I deserve.

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Michelle, of The Willing Cook, shared honestly about mom guilt last week–specifically in the area of food allergies…and pointed us toward grace for embracing the life we’ve been given:

“How do I forgive myself from things that I want to control, but have not? I don’t know that I can, not fully, at least.  I have to get hold of this thing called forgiveness and grace everyday, and ultimately, be grateful for my lot and my portion in life.”

Thanks for linking up, Michelle! You’re a blessing in this grace-filled community.

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These are the weeks that I’m on the computer less, I hold the kids more, and the house stays a bit messier. These are the weeks I crave time alone, but I have to fight for the desire for time alone with the Lord. Surely you know what I’m talking about.

These are the weeks I am reminded that my roots cannot be shallow; they must go deep…

That’s what I’m writing about today at Beautifully Rooted. (my first post as a contributor!)

…It seems that we oftentimes display luscious foliage and fruit in comfortable times, just to find ourselves later withered up, dry, and devastated when the circumstances of life send gales of  uncertainty or strife. Excitement and passion for the Kingdom wanes as the weeds of the flesh choke them out. We grow weary and weak in our walk with the Lord…and we wonder why?…

Join me over at Beautifully Rooted to read the entire post.

Have a blessed weekend! I hope you join us for GraceLaced Mondays on Monday as we share where those roots are taking us…

After serving numerous breakfast versions of Dutch Baby–dusted with powdered sugar, smothered with mixed berries, engulfed in whipped cream, or dripping with bacon maple syrup–I found myself in need of a quick lunch option one day last week. Turns out that Dutch Baby is just as delightful savory as it is sweet.

• Place your skillet or baking dish in cold oven, and bring to 475F.

3 eggs
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
4 Tbs. butter

• In a blender, combine eggs, flour, and milk. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until frothy. When oven is to temperature, put your butter in the skillet with some diced onions. Return skillet to the oven until butter melts and is brown (2-3 minutes.)

• Sprinkle a cup of shredded cheddar to melted butter in pan. (I’m sure feta, swiss, and any other cheese would be fantastic too!)

• Add in whatever you find in your fridge (I had diced green chile and turkey lunchmeat) Ideas to try: bacon, gruyere, mushrooms, ham, leeks…

• Carefully pour batter into hot skillet and bake until dutch baby is risen and browned on sides (about 18 minutes.)

• Cut in wedges and serve.

The only way I can describe it: A crispy shelled, custard-like savory bake that is lighter than quiche, but just as hearty! 

Enjoy!!

I’ve always seen blogging as a creative outlet, a ministry, and an opportunity to impact the lives of people I may never have met otherwise. I really feel blessed to have a voice in this small corner of the world wide web, and am continually encouraged by the community here, the ideas exchanged, and the ways I’m growing, myself, just by writing regularly.

As ministry and community is currently in the midst of transition in my life, I’ve been praying about what the Lord would have me invest in, who to invest in, and how to use my time most wisely. A blog is just another whitewashed tomb if there is not real living behind the words and pretty pictures. Like I’ve said before, blogging is not that important; living in the reality of grace is. I pray my blog will always reflect that kind of living.

While praying through these things, I was surprised and honored to be asked to be a weekly contributor to a brand new website called Beautifully Rooted…a site that seeks to “highlight a woman’s uniqueness, in and through Christ.” Today is the launch of Beautifully Rooted, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what the Lord will do with this lovely site. (Look for my post later this week!)

So, thank you for reading GraceLaced and for making it possible for me to expand the voice I’ve been given a little bit broader.  I’m so humbled that you make this blog a part of your life.

Much love to you this Valentine’s Day,

Welcome to Grace Laced Mondays! Grace is found in the everyday when you are intentional about taking note of it.

It is found in the sink full of dishes awaiting you after a family meal, it shines in the faces of your imperfect children, it soothes from the pages of God’s Word, and it is tucked into the enjoyment of a fresh batch of cookies. Grace is in a beautiful moment and a heartbreaking one alike. Grace is blessing beyond what you and I deserve.

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I was so blessed by the honest confession of Alyssa, of Our Sydney Grace, last week in sharing what the Lord taught her about making idols of relationships and people in her life:

“You’ve let people become idols to you. you have let them be your saviors, your healers, your comforters and your refuge. MORE than me. INSTEAD of me. they will let you down, but i will not. you are beholding them instead of ME…repent. and come Home child….”

We all know the accuracy of these words, and the loving arms of our Savior who is the only one truly worth beholding.

Thanks for linking up, Alyssa, and thank you for steering our hearts Christ-ward!

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