tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34896289466755192962024-03-13T04:21:10.069-07:00Mary's MusingsAs our hearts are brought to the One who is worthy of all of our devotion, we find ourselves worshiping at His feet and pouring out our heart treasures there. And there we come face to face with the Lover of our souls, the One who has been seeking our hearts long before we loved Him.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.comBlogger435125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-29457380218201779672013-05-06T14:49:00.001-07:002013-05-06T15:07:03.403-07:00I'm Back!
It's been, perhaps, the most life-changing year of my life since I last posted on this blog.
My mother left earth for heaven.
I met a wonderful, Godly man and.... I married him!
It seemed that this past year was meant for living, not just for putting into blog posts or Facebook updates.
Thus, I've been doing just that.
I hope to get back to blogging again soon, though.
Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-11577351253597024852012-04-20T21:19:00.000-07:002012-04-20T21:21:13.945-07:00My Life
My life is my dreams
My joys and my mind -
Mine as a coin to trade, I find,
For pleasure - fulfillment - meaning.
My life is my hoard
My hope and my wealth -
Mine to give my youth and my health
For pleasure - fulfillment - meaning.
My life is smothered
By such a clutch -
Too starved and too crushed to yield me much
Of pleasure - fulfillment - meaning.
My life is God's
To break and pour
On Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-80673124476767737912012-04-07T14:08:00.001-07:002012-04-07T14:11:59.915-07:00I Give This Craft to TheeI need Thee LordTo steer my craftAmong life's stormy seaTo safely reachThat higher destinyWhere sorrows ceaseAnd loved ones wait ashoreDark nights aheadThe lighthouse dim to meUncertain - scaredI give this craft to TheeThou long agoLife's sorrows bravedAnd safely crossedEach "towering wave"In Thy scarred HandThe craft is saved!- Jennifer Rene DanielMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-92028170111364860962012-01-22T20:47:00.000-08:002012-01-22T21:20:41.313-08:00Because I'm Unworthy and Bad. That's Why.At our church before we partake in the Lord's Supper we have a bit of time for quiet reflection of our lives. I love this time - time to just be quiet and think. Time to think about my week, my life, my heart.Time to ask myself, Do I love God as I should?Have I lived a life that pleased God this week? Am I at peace with my fellow man?Is my heart where it should be? On some days {like today} I Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-47521111950313357242012-01-17T19:39:00.000-08:002012-01-17T19:41:13.912-08:00Eeyore Perspective"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily. "And freezing." "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately." Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-64228017385850488052012-01-10T10:11:00.000-08:002012-01-10T10:12:39.490-08:00Carrot Muffins That You Can't Tell Are Gluten-Free! Preheat oven to 350F. Grease muffin tins for 24 muffins. ½ cup oil (I used coconut) 1 ¼ cups fructose, sugar or other sweetner 5 large eggs 1 1/3 cups plain yogurt 4 teaspoons vanilla ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 2 cups flour (I used ¾ cup lentil flour, ½ cup millet/rice combination, and ¾ cup fine cornmeal) 2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons aluminum free baking powder 4 teaspoons baking Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-8625952239022157892012-01-02T08:43:00.001-08:002012-01-02T08:54:38.629-08:00Gluten-Free, Mostly Sugar-Free Crispy Rice TreatsGluten-free recipes that can also be made with alternative sweeteners are at a premium around our house. This yummy cookie is a cross between granola bars and crispy rice treats. It is easy to make, and packed with three kinds of fruit, nut butter, and a few kinds of seeds, and very forgiving if you don't have all of that on hand. If you have peanut allergies, you can substitute almond butter forMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-45811929024460643042011-11-08T13:32:00.000-08:002011-11-08T14:00:59.998-08:00Pass It OnToday the Lord reminded me through the kind hands of someone else that I need not fear giving til I have nothing else. Because He gives and gives and gives. As so often happens at our house, today there were unexpected needs - people to serve. The door was answered in the pouring rain before the sun came up to a man whose family was breaking apart. Problems were discussed {abuse, anger, fights, Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-55993216887905212712011-10-09T14:21:00.000-07:002011-10-09T15:29:55.624-07:00A New Way to LiveA few months ago, I found the words of this hymn echoing through my heart day after day:Fill thou my life, O Lord, my GodIn every part with praise,That my whole being may proclaimThy being and Thy ways;Not for the lip of praise alone,Nor e'en the praising heartI ask, but for a life made upOf praise in every part.Praise in the common words I speak,Life's common looks and tones,In fellowship at Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-28237090478348050152011-09-26T23:58:00.001-07:002011-09-27T17:07:45.140-07:00The God of HopeIt was a warm summer day as I was driving across the Midwest. It was just going to be a short trip for some continuing education at a conference. Instead it had become a painful reminder of what wasn't. I drove past places that all haunted me with what could have been. And I remembered what I almost had, only to have it gone.Sometimes it takes seeing what you could have to make you realize what Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-38403159822837123252011-09-25T20:51:00.001-07:002011-09-25T20:55:23.515-07:00Those PeopleI wrote this post a few months ago, and didn't want it to be taken wrongly, so I hesitated to hit "publish." But, once again, I've been thinking on these things and asking God to make me a merciful person ~ one who pours out grace on people who don't deserve it. I hope you'll be challenged to do the same.~MaryI've been thinking today of the people I don't like to help and "waste" my time on:The Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-83699894662749003892011-09-24T21:53:00.000-07:002011-09-24T22:04:26.151-07:00Would I Choose God?One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD.... Psalm 27:4What do I want? If we could have one thing granted just for today, what would we choose? Seeing a friend?An hour to myself?A happier marriage? My stress to go away?More obedient children? A clean house? Enough money to pay Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-4357921166279814152011-08-28T20:25:00.000-07:002011-08-28T20:35:21.137-07:00She's HERE!!!!!!!!!!
Josh and Jemima's beautiful baby girl has arrived: Cherish Mercy!All 7 pounds and 4 ounces of sweet perfection. How did God come up with a creation as wonderful as babies?!I love her to pieces and can't stop nuzzling her soft face and kissing her!
Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-71372253129924593512011-08-26T19:41:00.000-07:002011-08-26T19:51:52.369-07:00I Shall Wonder That Ever My Eyes Turned Away....
"Looking off unto Jesus," my spirit is blest;In the world I have turmoil - in Him I have rest;The sea of my life all about me may roar,When I look unto Jesus I hear it no more.
Soon, soon shall I know the full beauty and graceOf Jesus my Lord, when I stand face to face;I shall know how His love went before me each day, And wonder that ever my eyes turned away.
~ Verses 2 and 5, sung to the Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-44188364433454766662011-08-23T21:11:00.000-07:002011-08-23T21:31:59.488-07:00How Fortunate Infinite Wisdom Prevails!
I love, love, love Ruth Bell Graham's poetry... Mom introduced it to me in fourth grade when she gave me a copy of Ruth's book, "Sitting By My Laughing Fire" and told me to learn to write poetry. {I never did write anything worth saving.}
At the time, I thought her poetry was annoying and hard to understand.
Then I grew up a little and lived a little life and started to savor some of her Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-21742363636968540712011-08-22T22:56:00.000-07:002011-08-22T23:14:49.565-07:00Days When I Hate Being a Midwife
It's been one of those days when I hate being a midwife. If I wasn't an adult, I would have jumped up and ran out of the office today and said I wasn't coming back.
Why do mamas who don't have many years left to have a baby and who've tried so hard to get pregnant for years and years and years have to be so bitterly crushed and disappointed... told that the little one growing inside them is no Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-83021275665657276302011-08-16T09:13:00.001-07:002011-08-19T21:27:31.525-07:00When My Needs Are Worship
It seems that I've had a lot of needs in the past couple of years. Things that send me crying to my Heavenly Father, begging Him for help, for wisdom, for what I need. Sometimes I don't even say what. I just sigh and say, "God, you know..." Some things in my heart are just beyond words.
Sometimes I feel ridiculously needy and wonder to myself, Does anyone else have a heart that wanders as much Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-41334363080833641852011-08-09T18:35:00.001-07:002011-08-09T19:05:26.408-07:00Happiness Is....
... A new book stand in the kitchen window so I can sing all 21 verses of "Immanuel's Land" while doing dishes
... Watching a friend in love
... Seeing my little sister grow up into somebody really sweet and Godly
... A brother who is tender and thoughtful and misses us so much
... A sister with a swelling belly full of wiggly baby
... A whole quiet day at home by myself (Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-77540576074370834802011-08-05T23:00:00.000-07:002011-08-05T23:14:48.527-07:00Cool BreezesWithout air conditioning, there's no escaping the warm stickiness that pervades everything from morning til night all summer. After a week of triple digit temperatures, it's been lovely to wake up to cool breezes and a few raindrops blowing in the window. It's been more than lovely. It makes me smile as soon as I'm conscious and thank God for the little blessings He sends my way! Tomorrow it's Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-55676357422996116462011-08-05T22:57:00.000-07:002011-08-05T23:00:00.954-07:00Doing the UnthinkableTo love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable.Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.- G. K. ChestertonMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-3008729981745157822011-08-05T22:55:00.000-07:002011-08-05T22:56:19.270-07:00"If God can bring blessing from the broken body of Jesus and glory from something that's as obscene as the cross, He can bring blessing from my problems and my pain and my unanswered prayer. I just have to trust Him."Anne Graham LotzMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-52962599311991173272011-07-27T21:16:00.000-07:002011-07-27T21:32:58.962-07:00He's God. And I'm Not.I've noticed over the years that many time friends "steal" quotes from my blog and post them as their Facebook status for the day... Tonight, I'm going post a quote that I "stole" from my sister, Jemima, who recently posted it on Facebook.... :)"Tonight, my soul, be still and sleepThe storms are raging on the deep -- God's deep, not yours --Be still and sleep.... God's heaven will comfort those Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-36209603977973723102011-07-22T14:18:00.001-07:002011-07-22T14:59:01.847-07:00God At My Place? Or Me At His Place?Psalm 27:4 has been one of my favorite verses for a long time. When I think I want something badly, I often restate the words of the Psalmist: "ONE thing have I desired of the Lord...." THAT will I seek after. God. Knowing Him. Loving Him.His Worth. THAT will I seek after. All the days of my life. The other day I was looking at the verse again, trying to figure out how to paraphrase it for Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-8686209448822644362011-07-16T17:37:00.000-07:002011-07-16T17:45:22.686-07:00Pieces Will Feed a MultitudeIf my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad. ~ Ruth StullMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-41660423770793239602011-07-16T17:13:00.000-07:002011-07-16T20:49:39.724-07:00The Saddest Thing - According to a HippieI wrote this last summer, and then never posted it. It's kind of pointless, I guess, but it amused me. :)~ Mary Yesterday I was running errands, going to home visits all over the rural Ozarks.I ran out the door at 7 am, with a rice cake and a date cookie to sustain me for the day. Now it was early afternoon and some food sounded good. Maybe Subway? Except there was no such a thing in any of theseMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0