Yesterday's Spurgeon Devotion

I try to read my morning and evening book daily, usually at night, right before bed. Here is my devotion from yesterday:

“Without the shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22

This is the voice of unalterable truth. In none of the Jewish ceremonies were sins, even typically, removed without blood-shedding. In no case, by no means can sin be pardoned without atonement. It is clear, then, that there is no hope for me out of Christ; for there is no other blood-shedding which is worth a thought as an atonement for sin. Am I, then, believing in him? Is the blood of his atonement truly applied to my soul? All men are on a level as to their need of him. If we be never so moral, generous, amiable, or patriotic, the rule will not be altered to make an exception for us. Sin will yield to nothing less potent than the blood of him whom God hath set forth as a propitiation. What a blessing that there is the one way of pardon! Why should we seek another?

Persons of merely formal religion cannot understand how we can rejoice that all our sins are forgiven us for Christ’s sake. Their works, and prayers, and ceremonies, give them very poor comfort; and well may they be uneasy, for they are neglecting the one great salvation, and endeavouring to get remission without blood. My soul, sit down, and behold the justice of God as bound to punish sin; see that punishment all executed upon thy Lord Jesus, and fall down in humble joy, and kiss the dear feet of him whose blood has made atonement for thee. It is in vain when conscience is aroused to fly to feelings and evidences for comfort: this is a habit which we learned in the Egypt of our legal bondage. The only restorative for a guilty conscience is a sight of Jesus suffering on the cross. “The blood is the life thereof,” says the Levitical law, and let us rest assured that it is the life of faith and joy and every other holy grace.

“Oh! how sweet to view the flowing
Of my Saviour’s precious blood;
With divine assurance knowing
He has made my peace with God.”

I had this verse in my head Monday and yesterday. I guess now I know why (= The Lord is good, isn't HE? I'm glad that HIS BLOOD is MY LIFE.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" Ephesians 2: 4-5 KJV

How Are You Separate?

One of the verses in the Bible that I have to remind myself of almost daily is 2 Corinthians 6:17 "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." (KJV) Today I am asking you (and myself) what you are doing to separate yourself from the people in the world who are not saved. How will the people around you know that you are a Child of God?
Is it by your dress? Do you look like you stepped out of a fashion magazine or a Hollister ad? Is the way you dress modest? Does it separate you from unbelievers? Can people take one look at your outfit and know that there is something different about you? When questioned about why I dress the way I dress, the thing I always come back to is Biblical separation. I want people to know by looking at my clothes that I am different. I certainly have things I need to work on in that area, but the Lord knows my heart and that I want to do right and please HIM.
Is it by your attitude? Are you cheerful and pleasant? Do you find fault in everything? Do you have road rage (OUCH!)? When you speak to a stranger, are your words filled with the love of Christ in you? Oh how I want people to see (or hear) Christ in me! Sometimes we can get so caught up in ourselves that we forget that people are watching and listening. If we have a bad attitude, that could ruin our testimony. It's difficult, I know, but it's something worth working on for sure!
Is it by your character? Do people feel comfortable cursing and saying inappropriate things to and around you? Do you recommend movies to people that could reflect back on you poorly? (LOL- Tessa I know we just talked about this, and I just had to use it!) Do you think before you act and speak? Do you lose your temper or throw a fit when things don't go your way? (Those of you who know me well please keep your comments on this area to yourself! HEHE) Will you go places and do things that could make your Christian character appear questionable?
Is it by your love? Do you love people as Christ loves them? I know it can be hard sometimes to love certain people, but think of how unlovable you and I were (and still are) when the Lord saved us! If we can keep that in perspective, it will make the task of loving people so much more bearable.
I'm sure there are thousands of things that we can do to separate ourselves, but these are the ones that came to my mind. I want to improve in these areas! There is always room for improvement. I want to be a shining example for the Lord in a world of darkness.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 KJV

Thank You!

I want to take the time to apologize for not being faithful to my blogging. I don't know if anyone really would want to read it faithfully anyways, but I find it encouraging that I can come on here and find encouraging and uplifting women writing about how good the Lord is. Sometimes you feel like you have prayed all you can pray and read all you can read and you just need to hear some people praise the Lord. I needed that today. So thank you!


"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-9 KJV

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; "

"Wordless" Wednesday

Anna Sophia's FIRST pigtails! Thanks Tessa!

The Song on My Blog

The song that plays first on my blog is called "Where've You Been" by Kathy Mattea. My mom used to listen to her all the time when we were little. She sings mostly love songs and writes her own music. This particular song, however, was written by her husband after he experienced first hand the exchange in the last verse (between his grandparents). I can't think of a more fitting song for Valentine's day. Enjoy! It's a great song!

Deer Stew

I have made this deer stew twice now and I love it. My measurements aren't very precise LOL but who measures stew anyways?
Deer Stew
1-2 lbs deer stew meat
1 large onion
4-6 medium red potatoes
16 oz carrots (I like baby carrots)
4-6 stalks celery
14 oz can diced tomatoes
4-6 cubes of bouillon (however you prefer to season your broth, we use big bouillon cubes)
1/4 cup flour
1 tbs basil
1.5 tbs parsley
2 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt (add to taste later)
2 tsp nature's season (or all-purpose season of your preference)

Cut onions, potatoes, carrots, and celery. Put in crock pot. Add tomatoes. Add 4 cans full of water. Put flour, basil, parsley, pepper, salt, and nature's season in a large bag or bowl with a lid. Mix together, add meat, and shake to cover the meat. Brown in a large skillet. When meat is browned, add a half a can of water to skillet and scrape all of the yummy brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Pour water and meat into crock pot. If the meat and veggies aren't covered all the way, add water until covered. Turn on low and cook all night! Taste before serving, I am known to underseason things like stew and soup, but it's better to have to season it after the fact than have over salty food! (=

Just a Simple Update

There isn't really anything huge to blog about in my current life, so I will just write a very simple update. Anna Sophia is growing so fast! She is doing so well with her sign language (she now says please, all done, more, and nods her head yes or shakes it no) It makes communicating with her so much easier! She is also turning out to be quite the little ham and loves to perform her cute little "tricks" for everyone (she loves to "tap dance"). She is talking more and more and especially loves to say my sister's name, "Tessa". Anna got a nasty little upper respiratory infection, but she is over it now and back to normal!

Dusty and I are doing great. We took Andrew to Chucky Cheese for his birthday on Monday and had lots of fun with that. Andrew gets really excited about the little things (winning only one ticket is as big a deal as winning ten) so he is really fun to take places like that. Andrew also got saved a couple Sundays ago, so praise the Lord!! I went to Dusty's church for the first time on Wednesday as his girlfriend. It was very exciting and everything went really well. Dusty was able to pray with a man from the mission where he works as he asked the Lord to save him. It was a good night!

Life is good at home, when I can be there. My car is doing great. I love her more and more every day! I feel like a queen (even though power windows and locks are probably required in a queen's vehicle LOL). I am planning on going to York on Sunday with Dusty to hear him preach all day. That should be really fun! Life has just been good. The Lord is good, always. I love to be able to look back and see a valley that the Lord has just brought me out of. It is a great reminder of just how GOOD HE IS to me!


"When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up." Psalms 94:18

Anna Sophia and I enjoying some morning snuggles

My new car, Greta von Gretelstein