Author: Diana B.

I am a wife and the mother of two beautiful adult daughters and a wonderful new son-in-law. I am a seminary student and also do some part-time freelance writing, editing and graphic design work. My interests include reading, photography, baking (mostly bread and chocolate), and studying God's Word.

Show Me Something Glorious

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Today is Good Friday. The calendar also says it is Earth Day. 

So shall we cry “Save the Earth!” or will we proclaim “Jesus Saves!” — that’s really the question.

Whom will we worship today? Will we worship the Creator of the universe? Or will we worship the creation?

Don’t misunderstand me. I marvel at God’s creation and feel strongly about being a good steward of it. When I slow down to accept and enjoy what God has created, I learn so much about His character. 

“Show me something glorious and I’ll show you the Maker of it all.”

-“Something Glorious” by Revive

Romans 1 talks about how God’s creation makes plain to all men God’s eternal power and divine nature. Looking all around us, seeing what God has made, we are without excuse for believing in God! He is the One behind it all.

Yet mankind is foolish. We fail to see Him. We fail to glorify God, we fail to give Him thanks, and we exchange “the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” (verse 23) We worship false gods.

Oh, Father, forgive us. Forgive me.

How many times have I exchanged the truth of God for a lie? How often have I worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator? (verse 25) 

In “A Christian Response to Earth Day,” Doug Phillips at VisionForum says:

…man’s problems will never be solved through the elevation of human reason, the power of science, or the interventions of the state. Nor will rescuing the biosphere of planet earth save man or ensure him a future on this planet. You cannot save the earth. But human beings can be saved. And the only hope of salvation is found in Jesus Christ — the Creator! It is this Creator through whom we live and breathe and who by the very power of His word holds the worlds together. He will someday establish a new heaven and a new earth and will bring all of His people into Glory.”

And in “Why God Created the Universe — for Good Friday, Pastor John Piper explains:

The universe was created for the glorification of God’s grace at Calvary.”

With the shedding of Jesus’ blood on Calvary, our sins have been forgiven. As David Crowder sings, there is grace enough for us and the whole human race! Oh, happiness! And oh happy day! He has washed our sins away!

So let’s thank God! Let’s rise up and dance our shoes off!

Counting to 1,000 (285-316)

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Psalm 105
Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to Him by name! 
Tell everyone you meet what He has done! 
Sing Him songs, belt out hymns, translate His wonders into music!
Honor His holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works; be alert for signs of His presence. 
Remember the world of wonders He has made, His miracles, and the verdicts He’s rendered—
O seed of Abraham, His servant, O child of Jacob, His chosen.

285. the once-lost-now-found ballet slippers

286. the kind husband who hears the frustration in my voice and comes home early

287. little hearts eager to forgive

288. how smart they feel in their AWANA vests

289. celebrating accomplishments in Scripture memory with a small Cubbie bear

290. the cuteness of hair done up in “piggy buns”

291. dear little friends — all smiley

292. the beauty of a friend 36-weeks pregnant

293. the little ones who came and sat in my lap

294. her joy in serving up her first batch of “smashed” potatoes

295. 3-D houses made in art class — with more and more features diligently added after class

296. the sound of spring peepers

297. the sunset – all purple and orange and pink

298. snow melting on tulips

299. buds on the lilac bush

300. dirt under my fingernails from digging in the flower beds

301. fidgety little ones lined up, waving palm branches

302. how their faces beam as they march down the aisle

303. science in the kitchen — with onions and tears

304. four glorious hours spent face-to-face with a sweet, encouraging friend

305. his promise to pray for me

306. my own turn pulling her in the big red wagon

307. the tulips’ last hoorah

308. sunshine

309. apple pie made with some of last fall’s harvest and shared with neighbors

310. strangers who provide us free tickets to ride the carousel

311. her giddy-up giggles as she rides around

312. how she looks back and exclaims, “Ponies!”

313. the carousel’s cheery melody

314. the friendly cashier who admires her manners and touches her heart

315. how they belt out the words to “Remarkable Cows”

316. excellent test results that encourage both of us

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Encouraging Words: Be Armed and Dangerous!

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Note: It’s the second Wednesday of the month — an Encouraging Words Wednesday! After you’re done here, be sure to check out Renee Swope’s Encouraging Words over at Proverbs 31 Ministries and enter to win a Confident Heart Friendship Gift Pak.

“The only real word of encouragement comes from the Word of God.”

So says Rachael Carman. She’s a homeschool mother and an author and speaker for Apologia Educational Ministries.

The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit, and that sword is heavy. We must build up our muscles in order to use it well, she says.

Wow! If we want our words to encourage others, we really need to be speaking God’s Words! And how can we speak them if they aren’t carved into memory? 

A few years ago, I went through a season during which God constantly reminded me to hide His living, active Word in my heart and to speak His Word in prayer. No matter where I went, that was the message I heard over and over.

The first reminder came as I was preparing to teach a Sunday School class of preschoolers and Kindergarteners. We were learning about Jesus in the desert being tempted by the devil, and there it was: Jesus victoriously using God’s Word, the sword of the Spirit, to fight the enemy and his lies. The devil had to flee, remember?

Oh, I wish you could have seen the surprised faces when I drew my plastic sword to hook the kids’ attention! As a mother of two girls, I never imagined those little boys would have so much to say about swords. They were ready to fight!

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

The next reminder came during a women’s Bible study, Believing God, as author and speaker Beth Moore told us to be “armed and dangerous.”

That is, armed with God’s Word and dangerous to the devil.

Beth recounted a time when she was walking her dogs with her husband at his deer lease. A rattle snake reared its ugly head, ready to strike. In one very swift movement with his shotgun, Beth’s husband Keith immediately blew off the snake’s head. My apologies to any snake lovers that may be reading this, but what a vivid illustration of how God’s Word can crush the devil!

Finally, that fall at a church luncheon for women, another reminder came from keynote speaker Phyliss Masters, a retired missionary. Just 18 months before her husband was martyred, Phyliss had resolved to memorize God’s Word. She memorized one verse of Scripture a day, rehearsing and reviewing each verse for 49 days so that she would hide it in her heart for life. Phyliss had hundreds of Bible verses memorized at the time of her husband’s death, and she testifies that God’s Word proved itself quick and powerful over and over again.

My season of constantly being encouraged to memorize Scripture concluded just as Beth Moore kicked off her 2009 Siesta Scripture Memory Team. I participated, and I must say that it was just the accountability I needed! God’s Word changed my life that year, especially my prayer life. Praying God’s Word back to Him is powerful!

Beth didn’t coordinate a Scripture Memory Team for 2010, but God provided me accountability through a small group that my husband and I were in. Together, we have all committed nearly a dozen verses to memory — word-perfect and with the topics and references, too. It can be done! By the grace of God, it can be done!

This year I’ve been involved in Beth Moore’s Siesta Scripture Memory Team again, and this time around I pushed a few friends into joining along with me.

God not only licenses us to conceal and carry His Word as a weapon, but He also empowers us to use it, as 2 Timothy 3:16 says, for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

May we always be quick on the draw!

If you are not already in the habit of memorizing Scripture, be encouraged. You can do it! And there are lots of ideas to motivate you and plenty of tools to help.

Here are a few of my favorite resources on Scripture memory: 

1. Memorizing Scripture: Why and How by John Piper

2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Bible Memorization by Ann Voskamp

3. Help in memorizing God’s Word: Verse Card Maker

4. Word Up! It’s the Writing on the Wall (a post of mine)

5. Resolution: To Pray Better for My Kids (also a post of mine)

If you are already memorizing Scripture but would like to stretch those muscles a little more, consider the challenge of committing entire books to memory! An Approach to Extended Scripture Memorization by Dr. Andrew Davis has great guidelines for exactly how to do this. I think I’m going to try it!

Don’t forget to check out Renee Swope’s Encouraging Words over at Proverbs 31 Ministries. You’ll be blessed!

Counting to 1,000 (251-284)

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 “From the fullness of His grace, we all have received one blessing after another.” -John 1:16

 251. the melody of a 5-year-old eloquently reading the Lord’s prayer

252. the resolve of the 8-year-old memorizing Psalm 23

253. her gentle voice singing sweetly while her fingers dance across the piano keys

254. air fresh with the dampness of spring

255. a kitchen spilling over with popcorn, popcorn, and more popcorn

256. the excitement and giggles that gather as it pops

257. how she helps her tie her shoes

258. the excitement of bringing special friends to AWANA

259. the sweet way she takes her little friend’s hand and shows her what to do

260. four silly ones eating gummy bears in the backseats 

261. a nice long jaunt around the neighborhood — chasing a pink scooter and a pink bike

262. how they both wait so faithfully at the intersections

263. how — over and over — the little one hops off her bike and runs, grinning wild, back to walk with me, her little hand in mine

264. backyard tulips peaking through the soil

265. dinner cooking outside on the grill

266. spring storms that bring rain instead of snow

267. the pitter-patter of raindrops on the window, lulling me to sleep

268. 70 degrees in the forecast

269. grass that turns green almost overnight 

270. earthworms that creep out of muddy soil, trying not to drown in the rain

271. the bookworms that creep out of their bedrooms, eager to share stories

272. the little friend who alarms me that my little one is hurt

273. the patience of a sister who endlessly pulls the injured one here-and-there-and-everywhere in the big red wagon

 274. the tiny twisted ankle that heals quickly

275. a quiet afternoon for reading, all wrapped up in a cozy blanket

276. letting them lick off the chocolate icing on the beaters 

277. a half-chocolate cake to celebrate one’s half birthday and the other’s spiritual birthday

278. the box-elder bug that very nearly ruined the cake

279. another dinner cooking outside on the grill

280. big old’ sweet iced tea

281. the short path between friends’ houses

282. how her face beams as she gently pushes our little neighbor on the swing

283. 75 minutes fully devoted to prayer

284. a Sunday supper that requires a table for 17

Look at the Birds! Part 2

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Now that everyone in our family has seen more than a dozen robins in our yard, we are overdue for our annual First Robin Tea Party — a sure sign of spring in this house!

Sadly, I have not been very good about planning the minor details, such as the party date, the guest list and invitations. Maybe those are the major details! Oh dear. My brain is still in a state of thawing out from our long, harsh winter. Well anway, I have been slowly adding spring decor — mostly birds and eggs — around the house. I’ve also been stumbling across new ideas for the party itself.

New Artwork

I often admire the Christian artwork available through DaySpring, but I’m cheap when it comes to that sort of home decorating, especially when my options are limited. (Or maybe I am just too much of a control freak?) So one evening I was playing around in Photoshop Elements and decided to make my own springy artwork. Here’s what I made:

I had Mpix print it on 12 x 12-inch paper, and then I threw it in a scrapbooking frame and set it up on the bathroom shelf. I think I like it. What say you?

Menu Changes

As in years past, we plan to make mud pies with (gummy) earth worms — the recipe for those is posted here. But this year I have a new recipe for the edible bird nests. I’ll try to report back on how that works out since nobody ever ate the ones we made last year. Sigh. I also added crackers to the menu since I recently found out that Target’s version of Goldfish crackers are bird-shaped and called “Chickadees.” How fitting!

New Literature

What I am thrilled most about for this year’s party is a new picture book! The Story of the Easter Robin, written by Dandi Daley Mackall, is a beautifully illustrated tale about a little girl, her grandmother and a robin’s nest build on a window ledge at the grandmother’s house. The book also incorporates the Pennsylvania Dutch legend of the robin’s red breast — a symbol of Christ’s suffering and love — as well as the tradition of decorating eggs in the style of Pennsylvania Dutch Easter birds. I love this book so much I bought extra copies to send to my nieces!

Memory Work

One of my memory verses for last month was Psalm 91:1,4 — very fitting scriptures for our robin tea party discussion, as is the passage of Matthew 6:25-27. 

Over the past several months, the girls and I have memorized a new poem that fits quite nicely with our bird theme.

Little Bird

a Mother Goose rhyme

Once I saw a little bird

come hop, hop, hop.

So I cried, “Little bird,

Will you stop, stop, stop?”

And was going to the window

To say, “How do you do?”

When he shook his little tail

And far away he flew.

Of course, the best-ever poem for the first robin tea party is this one, which we all still have memorized from last year’s party. 

To the First Robin

by Louisa May Alcott

Welcome, welcome little stranger,

Fear no harm and fear no danger

We are glad to see you here,

For you sing ‘sweet spring is near.’

Now the white snow melts away,

Now the flowers blossom gay.

Come, dear bird, and build your nest

For we love our robin best.

 If I ever actually stop piddling around with minor details, set a date and invite real-live people to the party, I will take pictures and share a slide show of the celebration.

In the meantime, let’s all go get some fresh, spring air! Shall we?

Look at the Birds!

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“Look!” my big girl gasps, running toward the window. “Robins! In our yard!”

 

Quickly the little one and I join her at the window, and together we welcome the feathered strangers. The freshly falling snow of late March does not deter the playful robins as they flutter about happily in the backyard.  An especially plump robin perches high in the branches, a patch of snow still clinging to his red breast and his feet.

“Cheer up, cheer up,” the first robins sing.

Cheer up, indeed! Even as the snow blankets us again, their songs give us hope for spring as the end of a long, harsh winter draws nearer. Soon will come nests and eggs. Soon will come worms for the chirping baby birds. Soon will come little birds testing their wings, learning to fly.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” -Matthew 6:26

March melts into April, and the birds return to this Frozen Tundra in great numbers. Red-winged black birds, robins, sparrows, Canadian geese and — my favorite — swans.

As I’m out and about all week long, I see swans everywhere — dozens of them. On the way to church, on a walk in the neighborhood, on the way to and from dinner Thursday night, on the way to pick up a friend’s little boy, and on the way to and from a birthday party — swans, swans, swans! Soon to pair off and settle in ponds and lakes, the swans migrate together, and oh! What joy as they surround us — these amazing creatures, full of grace! 

I look at the birds, and God reminds me of His faithfulness.

Without my camera along on any of these trips, my inner shutterbug longs to capture the swans, to store up the grace moment and treasure it.

The week draws to its end; Saturday evening before sunset our family loads up in the minivan and heads back to the one spots where, earlier in the day, nearly a hundred swans gathered in a low, flooded area in a corn field. Leaving my family in the van, watching closely, I head eagerly into the muddy field. My newest tennis shoes greet the muddy field and I manuever carefully, happy to find a narrow path of dry weeds between two sections of the field. I nearly sink into the mud as I approach the water.

Swans! Hundreds of gloriously graceful swans — and several ducks, too. The honking and quacking mingles into noisy bird music. Most of the swans glide gently across the water, but some fish for food underwater.

Suddenly a few swans soar up into the sky. Their black bills confirm they are Trumpeters. Their necks stretch long and wings mount high toward the clouds —  right over my head! I pull the hood of my sweatshirt over my head, just in case.  

A glorious swan moment. Finally captured! I stand in the muddy field, thankful I migrated to the right place at exactly the right moment.

Looking down, white feathers float, scattered across the water.

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” -Psalm 91:4

I look at the birds, and God reminds me of His faithfulness.

God keeps showing me how faithful He is. May I also suggest this post from last spring: Orchestrating the Swans?

Counting to 1,000 (221-250)

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“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” -2 Corinthians 4:15

 221. tulips springing forth, the color of sunshine

222. explorations with mosaics

223. swans in the neighborhood 

224. the bald eagle soaring high, reminding us that strength will rise when we wait upon the LORD (Isaiah 40:31)

225. how they rejoice with dancing and signing as they sing along to “Today is the Day”

226. swans flying overhead in pairs

227. Lincoln’s stories about Real Life

228. a Saturday afternoon date at DQ

229. hot fudge sauce

230. driving little boys and girls on the “art bus”

231. new dresses that arrive just in time to wear to the concert

232. sparrows and house finches gathering at the backyard feeder

233. the arrival of the newest, tiniest member at church – Micah

234. little girls in pretty party dresses, celebrating birthdays

235. the sweet friend who serves up the best-ever hot chocolate at Mocha Monkey

236. peeking into the windows of the original, 150-plus-year-old Scandia Church building

237. girlish giggles caused by their own April foolin’

238. more swans — flocking in the wet fields nearby

239. the first sight of the entire backyard in five months

240. little girls dancing the caterpillar dance and flying off as butterflies

241. feet sinking into mud as I tramp eagerly through the field

241. hundreds of trumpeter swans — finally, finally caught by my camera — as they gather in a farmer’s flooded field

242. the majestic trumpeting of the swans as they fly overhead

243. the feathers that remind me of the One who covers me (Psalm 91:4)

244. hands stretched high, reaching for Him

245. sweatshirt weather with sunshine, too!

246. clothes warmed by the dryer

247. aisle seats so little ones can dance in the aisles

248. youths that grow tired and weary and fall asleep in exhaustion (Isaiah 40:30)

249. the strong daddy who carries his sleeping daughter

250. the strong, Everlasting, Abba Father Who carries His trusting daughter  

If It’s Not Chocolate, Why Bother? #3

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Disclaimer: I’ve posted this recipe before. But since my mama’s chocolate “mud” cake recipe ranks in the top 3 of all my favorite chocolate recipes, it’s worthy of repeating, especially if you didn’t catch it the first time!

We use this recipe for nearly every birthday cake in our family. Rumor is that my brother even has his wife bake this cake for him on my birthday, even though we live hundreds of miles apart! I’m not sure whether I should feel deeply honored or deeply disturbed by that…

Anyway, until just a few years ago, I was certain my mother had all but invented this recipe. If you saw the frayed edges and spatters on her blue recipe card, you’d understand how I came to that conclusion.

But then one day while baking the cake, I noticed a cake recipe on the back of the Hershey’s cocoa container. The title claimed it was “Perfectly Chocolate.” Immediately, I thought, “Ha! Perfectly chocolate whatever! These Hershey folks have not seen the likes of my mama’s chocolate mud cake.” So just for fun I compared the ingredients and now I almost wish I hadn’t.

I was utterly shocked — and somewhat deflated — to find the two recipes were identical! And since I don’t recall the Hershey folks ever snooping around my mama’s kitchen, I can only conclude they must have played some significant role in the recipe’s development. Since the recipe calls for nearly 1.5 cups of cocoa — if you count what’s in the frosting — I suppose I should have seen this coming. Although, in my defense, you should know that I come from a long line of bakers and my great-grandparents were the Hiersches.

Mama’s Chocolate “Mud” Cake (aka, Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Cake)

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • chocolate frosting (recipe follows)
Directions:1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with “PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE” CHOCOLATE FROSTING. 10 to 12 servings.

VARIATIONS:
ONE-PAN CAKE: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.

THREE LAYER CAKE: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.

BUNDT CAKE: Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost.

CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.

“PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE” CHOCOLATE FROSTING

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2/3 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. (I only soften mine so my icing stays fluffy and easier to decorate with.) Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

The appliances/tools I use for this recipe are my KitchenAid Mixer and my Wilton Desssert Decorator Pro. Hint: The cupcakes look prettiest when baked in brown or black baking cups.

Counting to 1,000 (192-220)

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“I will remember the deeds of the LORD… I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds.” -Psalm 77:11-12

192. the welcome stranger who sings that spring is here

193. playful robins in the freshly fallen March snow

194. the kind neighbor with a snowblower

195. pink fuzzy slippers

196. a bubble bath on a cold night

197. the successful surgery for a little friend

198. music that prepares our hearts for Easter – Happy Day! – forever we are changed

199. a fresh batch of library books

200. tiny pieces of paper scattered everywhere – because she’s creating

201. watch-them-grow moments

202. the timeless joy of making paper dolls

203. how she pays such close attention to the details

204. paper doll houses

206. puffy pink clouds at sunset

207. dreams  

208. the sound of his voice on the other end of the phone line

209. all-around sillyness while playing in the ball pit

210. busy hands preparing the house for his return

211. lemon meringue pie — a special surprise!

212. heartfelt homecoming hugs

213. how that  precious two-year-old says, “Pizza!” and “Eggs!” with so much enthusiasum

214. pom-poms swishing as sweet little girlfriends all cheer together in the living room

215. how she helps her daddy memorize Scripture

216. another afternoon spent sharing and hearing testimonies

214. homeschool moms helping each other

215. her twirls and tiptoes as she shows off her new dance costume

216. new towels for the bathroom

217. warming up another little hand in my coat pocket

218. spring jackets that fit just right

219. hearing her heart as we study God’s mighty acts in creation together

220. a good night’s sleep

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” -2 Corinthians 4:15

100th Day: Other Lessons

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100th Day Signs to Color

Just for fun, I made 100th Day signs and posted them with balloons around the house. I printed a few extras on cardstock, which the girls enjoyed coloring and are using as the cover page for their 100th Day booklets. Click here to download your own copy and have fun with it! Use paint dots, watercolor crayons, scented markers, number stickers or whatever feels extra special.

Handwriting for 1ooth Day

For handwriting on the 100th day, we took a break from the usual practice sheets and used special 100th day handwriting sheets instead.

Click here to download the version for print practice.

Click here to download the version for cursive practice.

Children’s Books

If I were to count 100 days again with a little one, I’d consider using 100 Prayers and 100 Praise Songs God Loves to Hear and 100 Ways to Know God Loves Me, 100 Songs to Love Him Back. I haven’t read them cover to cover, but what I have seen online looks good, and I have been pleased with other books by the same author, Stephen Elkins.

Emily’s First 100 Days of School also looks like a cute picture book for the 100th day, and many, many other books about the 100th day are available.