Friday Forum: Accountability

 Proverbs 27:17 

Iron sharpeneth iron; 

so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Two weeks ago, the forum on discipline brought comments about  the benefits of accountability.

Accountability is a great help in the struggle with discipline.

My greatest accountability partner is my hubby.

He asks about my Bible memory,

encourages me to get back on track,

asks me about the snacks I have eaten throughout the day,

encourages me to deal with problems rather than burying them.

As a child, I also had a Bible memory accountability partner.

Oh, how I wanted to run each Sunday when I saw the church member who would listen to my verses 

(or my pitiful excuses).

But it was good for me.

Unfortunately, I have found that those outside of my home

are often weaker partners.

Why?

Is it a fear of hurting someone's feelings?

Is it a fear of being held equally accountable?

What are your thoughts on accountability partners?

Do you have a partner or partners?

Do you fear them?

What are you held accountable for?

A Year of Thanks

God is good all the time.
It has seemed to be an unusually stressful year.
In the difficult times, there is a God who shows us "tokens for good."


January - a work trip to Amish country, a special week with my hubby

February - the love of my life, 11 years since we met

March - the wind that dries the laundry, spring and new beginnings

April - a new job for hubby

May - the growth in the garden and fresh produce to eat

June - wisdom and guidance to wait for the right house

July - the resources to make a house a home

August - into our first home

September - hope and encouragement to keep hoping

October - strength to leave my comfort zone, our first overnight guests

November - grace to help in difficult days

December - a trip to NY

Prudence

Proverbs 19:14 

House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: 

and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

The challenge of prudence.

pru·dent  adj.

          1. Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense.

          2. Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident.

          3. Careful about one's conduct; circumspect.

I want to be a prudent wife.

As I meditated on this verse,

some of the verses surrounding the verse

were a challenge to me.

Proverbs 18:15 

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; 

and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

If I am going to be prudent,

I need not fear knowledge.

In fact, I need to be ever learning ... seeking truth.

Proverbs 19:11 

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; 

and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

In this verse, "discretion" is from the same Hebrew root as "prudent" in verse 19:14.

If I am going to be prudent,

I need to practice self control.

I need to be willing to be selfless ...

to forgive and forget.

Proverbs 19:15 

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; 

and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Though not specifically mentioning prudence,

this verse reminds me of one aspect of prudence.

A prudent wife is diligent, not lazy.

Plenty to think about ...

Wonderful Works to Worms

Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31

 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, 

and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

What an ungrateful worm I am!

I try to be grateful ... to appreciate all that I have been given.

But I am not unlike the children of Israel.

I always need these four reminders in one Psalm!

God is good.

He always does wonderfully.

Remember the dehumidifier mentioned here.

The recall check arrived yesterday.

It was enough to cover a laptop that we are planning to buy online on Thanksgiving day.

What a blessing!

It is a rainy/icy day here ...

a rarity for us.

Glad that I can be "in" this morning.

Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps

I was apprehensive about this new recipe in the emeal plan sent to me.

I love PF Changs lettuce wraps.

Would it be as good?

It was delicious,

and better still - hubby was impressed.

The plan served the meal with Sesame Steamed Broccoli

and that was AWESOME too!

Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps

2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

1 small onion, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 lb ground turkey

1/4 c soy sauce

1 Tbsp Thai chili paste (I couldn't find this so I used Thai chili sauce)

2 Tbsp fresh basil chopped.

Lettuce leaves

Heat oil in skillet over med-high heat.

Add onion and garlic.  Cook until brown.

Stir in turkey, soy sauce, chili paste.

Cook until turkey is brown - stir to crumble.

Stir in basil.

Separate lettuce leaves and fill leaves with turkey mixture.

I think I will add some cooked rice next time to stretch it a little more.

It really has GREAT flavor.

We drizzled it with some chili oil as well - YUM!

Menu Plan this week:
Mon. - Italian Pork Chops
Tues. - Herb Roasted Chicken
Wed. - Egg/Sausage Scramble
Thurs. - Turkey
Fri. - Pizza or Leftovers

Friday Forum: Thanksgiving (Part II)

Thanksgiving seems to get crowded out.

It is sandwiched between the growing event on Oct. 31

and the big holiday on Dec. 25.

It is crowded out by shopping,

by football,

by FOOD!

We once attended a church that had a service on Thanksgiving Day.

It was hard to plan the cooking around a morning service,

but ... I loved the service and the focus for the day.

Do you do something special to keep the "thanks" in Thanksgiving?

Friday Forum: Thanksgiving (Part I)

Thanksgiving used to be very predictable for me.

There was always a trip to western NY

and a large dinner with one side of the family or the other.

There were homemade rolls on both sides

and oodles of pies!

Once I went away to school,

the event changed.

Dinner on campus with "dressing" instead of stuffing,

dinner out - Ryans or Dennys,

dinner with navy coworkers,

dinner with church family ...

As I have prepared meals for others,

I often ask them what would make it seem more "like home."

One year I made baked corn (or corn pudding) for a PA native.

This year it is sweet potato casserole with coconuts and pecans on top for a college student.

Hubby likes his cranberry sauce.

I love STUFFING and squash!

Don't forget the pumpkin pie!

What is your favorite Thanksgiving treat?

Back at the Sewing Table

I am back at the sewing machine.

I have not used it since creating valances for the new house.

Christmas gifts this time.

Recently, I did some mending for a friend.

She decided to buy this "ring" pin cushion to say "thank you."

I wondered at its usefulness.

But...

I am thankful for this little trinket.

I am enjoying it as I sew this week.

Drip ... Drip ... Drip

Proverbs 19:13 

A foolish son is the calamity of his father: 

and the contentions of a wife 

are a continual dropping.

con·ten·tion  n.

                           1. The act or an instance of striving in controversy or debate. 

                           2. A striving to win in competition; rivalry: 

                           3. An assertion put forward in argument.

Are you a constant drip?

Each time I read this verse, I remember the months of rain in the Seattle, WA area.

It seemed that from October to March, 

it rained, or we were enveloped in a thick fog each day.

The constant drip wore on my spirit, on my nerves, on my disposition.

Perhaps you don't have that experience, 

but maybe you have listened to a leaky faucet with its constant drip.

The writer of Proverbs describes the contentious wife in this way.

Do you strive to be in charge?

Do you argue until you get your way?

Do you question your husband's every decision?

Is there rivalry in the home?

Why not practice your plumbing skills and stop the drip today?

Blessings

Psalm 103:1-2

Bless the LORD, O my soul: 

and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

 Bless the LORD, O my soul, 

and forget not all his benefits:

Though society-at-large may have moved on to the Christmas season,

may we not forget this season of Thanksgiving.

There is so much to be thankful for.

If you are having trouble thinking of some ...

read the rest of Psalm 103.