Teaching--a sacred, exalted responsibility

"I am meek and humble of heart. Learn from me." Matthew 11:29

Marcantonio--Jesus washing the disciples' feet

Teaching is taking responsibility for informing the mind, heart and thoughts of my student. When I seek to present truth, knowledge, wisdom--the best thoughts, the most soul-gripping ideals, the foundations of truth and insights of understanding, it forces my own soul to broaden in the preparation of my presentation. Often I find the Life of His words open to my soul as I seek to dig for the best in my presentations. A serious responsibility to seek in some small way to reflect the truth about my creator--an auspicious task. Yet in the pursuit of His reality, my own soul becomes more real.
I decided to teach Joy the attributes of God this year. If she can grasp even a little of what He is like, then as she forays out into the world, the understanding of His character and integrity and personal commitment to her will serve her in the days she is tempted to feel alone. 
I shared with her, "Man's spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshipper entertains high or low thoughts of God. What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." Tozer
So we began with the humility of Christ. I have pondered this summer, "I am humble of heart." What does it mean? He told me to learn this from HIm--not humble in dress, or position or in works--but in heart. And so we began by looking the word up on a dictionary. 
humble--modest or unpretentious in one's estimation of oneself in relationship to others.
So Jesus was modest in his estimation of himself in relationship to others. Didn't need to brag, to have the last word, to convince others he was right, to criticize others--but was unpretentious in His relationship to them. 
Already, my own heart was being convicted. Yet, it was in the context of looking at Satan's fall, that His humility shown forth like a brilliant light. 
Ezekiel 28: 12-16 tells us that God created Satan (Lucifer) as one of the highest angels in heaven. He was crafted in beauty--clothed in precious jewels--ruby, topaz, diamond, emerald and defined in the gold settings. His beauty and splendor were magnificent. God created him blameless (Ez. 28: 15). And yet, "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty." It was as Satan looked at himself, and became proud--exalted in confidence at his own glory, that he lifted himself above God. His pride of his exalted esteem of himself became the ground in which sin would grow. 
Satan said in his heart (in contrast to the heart of Jesus), "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God.,..., I will make myself like the Most High God." (Isaiah 14:14)
And so it was his pride in himself--I will be like the most high  (pretentious--impossible that the creature could ever, ever be equal to his creator)--It was his arrogance that said he would not bow his knee to his creator--he would have the power, the worship, the centerpiece of the life of all people, that all corruption and sin and wickedness gave birth. His grasp for power, allegiance--at any cost. He would win the war of capturing the hearts of those created in God's image, for himself. Pride is the starting point for sin to grow and flourish.
In this light, when the One true God, the creator of the world, the all powerful, omniscient God, comes to the earth, with no stately form or majesty, as a man of sorrows acquainted with grief; as a humble, poor carpenter, --it gives new meaning to the value of "I am humble of heart." 
Exactly in contrast to Satan who would exalt himself above all people--at any cost to crushing and killing the souls of all people in order that God would not have allegiance of his own, Jesus comes to bow His knee before the Father and willingly lays down his life for all--even the very lowly, to serve, wash their feet, heal their diseases, forgive their worst deeds.
So, for me,  all pride and exalting of myself makes me less like Jesus. All "I am better than you" thoughts because of anything I have done or accomplished--takes me more in the direction of Satan's attitude than that of Jesus. 
If Jesus, "did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but humbled himself by becoming obedient, even to the point of death," (Philipians 2: 6-8), then His humility of heart becomes my standard. Jesus who touched lepers, spoke with and forgave prostitutes, ate with tax-collectors, rubbed shoulders with sinners and felt compassion for them, then if I want to be like Him, I must take the same posture.
Repenting of pride, humbling myself--seeing myself as modest in my own estimation--serving all people that Christ may be exalted in my life--a life-changing lesson. Indeed in my pursuit of the best to offer my student, Joy, the very windows of heaven were opened up to my soul.
But, now, the realization that my daughter will not believe the words I teach unless I model them to her--humbly serving all in my home, accepting the limitations of all in my life as Jesus did; becoming more of a servant leader--seeking to wash the feet of those He brings my way--only in this will my student believe that I believe the words of my exalted Teacher, "I am meek and humble of heart. Learn from me."
And so in the preparation and teaching of truth, I am discipled by the One who is true and I am hopefully changed forever. 

This I call to mind, therefore I have hope......

Today--the first day of snow--fires lit, a perfect night for soup!

Life is to me, sometimes, an obstacle course. How I face each dip that must be straddles and curve that must be managed  and barrier that must be jumped, will indeed determine the outcome of my race. I have noticed that there is rarely a reprieve and always I have to be on the alert so that my soul stays in the place of peace and hope.  

When you tango with the issues of life, where does your mind run to?  What is the source of your hope? When you feel despair and discouragement and the weight of stress, where do you go? 
A sweet woman commented this year on my blog and said I was a "gold digger" and then explained that what she meant was that I always went for the gold--the truth, the best of scripture--to find the nuggets that sustain and that carry us on the wings of hope. Her statement has stayed with me. I want to be that kind of person. I want to go to the place where the truth is--where God's presence is--to the place that gives me guidance and hope. I still struggle through the process and feel the deep feelings of weariness, frustration, fear, hopelessness amidst the feelings of joy, deep appreciation, love. But I do like the idea of persistently looking for HIs treasures of encouragement and truth. Where to go?
For me, it is my quiet time. Most every morning, (and of course is has been different through the different seasons of life), it must be when no one will talk to me or disturb my reverie. Very early has served me the best--creeping in the dark of night so no one will hear! I light my candles, brew a cup of tea, and enter into the presence of the Lord. Usually I just sit for a few minutes and take in the peace of being quiet and still. Sometimes I stew and fret; sometimes I just sit and try to gather my wits and soul about me; sometimes I cry out, and other times, I just dig for new truth and knowledge. But, He is my One Friend who I go to every day. Without Him, there is no solution for me. Without His help and strength, I will find no paths and no peace. There is no substitute--not books, not friends, not church, just Him. He is the counsel I desire. He is the love I seek. It is in this that we find our life.
Now, there area always areas of need, fear, questions and wisdom I must ask of Him. 
The issues stack up to make a good pile in every season of my life. This season for me:
Our 2 mothers who have dementia--one who was recently taken advantage of by workers to the tune of $60,000 which ended up in the hands of the local DA and will have to be prosecuted. No way to pay all the bills incurred. What to do--thanks to Clay's wonderful brother Wiley, we are seeing great progress. How to handle the issues and long term care?
My mother, in and out of reality--24 hour care now required and trips to both  moms more often to take care of them. Which also means, taking care of family trumps ministry commitments.
(I had to cancel some speaking engagements this fall to help balance life more for these precious ones) (Should I be more available or be doing more? Will we need to cancel more ministry projects? Am I being a good daughter? What is the balance of keeping my priorities of family, ministry and taking care of our precious moms?)

Financial difficulties from the times--not having money for pay roll last month. How will we face this month? (The fears and accusations and thoughts--does our ministry matter? Should we keep going? Will we make it? ) 

Chronic health issues for the past 8 years of one of my children, with more questions and more meds and tests. (Will you ever heal or bring a solution? Will you answer those thousands of prayers that have gone heaven bound?)

Nate moving to LA with no roommate, job or agent but with dreams in his heart--enough to strike fear in a protective mom.(Can he make it there? Is it even possible to get a job? Will he make moral decisions and stay righteous?)

Joel working 15 hours a week and doing a full load and in the midst of applying for scholarships now that he is able (first year students not allowed to apply) (Will he remember to get the app in on time? Should I nag him or trust God? Will he be able to sustain the pressure of such a demanding schedule and keep his grades up? Will he ever be able to pay back the loans?)

Ministry mysteries--lots of opportunities and how to manage them in a failing economy but having more to do than 5 people can do--limiting, praying, planning, canceling and stepping out in faith.(Local or regional leadership conferences? At the mom's conferences? speakers for conferences? A new website and all the projects for Whole Heart--conferences, books, materials, recordings, speaking requests, 4000 emails, supporters, publishing, meetings, Bible studies, blogs, accounting, publicity, meeting with staff, need for more staff, helping Clay and supporting him,etc. etc.) 

More secret issues that can only be disclosed to the Lord.
Yet, if He is true then He will be true to me. 
But, every morning, I call to mind, my Father, the one who hears, the one who sees, the one who loves and cares. He has seen us through many, many such seasons before. He will indeed see us faithfully through this one as well.
This I call to mind, therefore I have hope...
The Lovingkindness of the Lord never ceases,
For His compassions never fail,
The are new every morning;
Great is thy faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul.
Therefore I have hope in Him." 
The Lord is good to those who wait on Him, 
To the person who seeks Him. 
It is good that He waits silently 
For the salvation of his soul. 
Jeremiah 3: 21-26
So, I called on Him all the mornings, with secret prayers no one else could hear.
Moms seem to be ok this week. 

By God's gracious hand and by the abundant generosity of friends of the ministry, enough support came in, some totally "out of the blue" to pay all salaries and office and bills for this month- Amazingly provided. God raised up His own angel friends to hold up our arms.

New meds to consider--maybe a solution.

In two weeks, Nate has found a Christian agent who signed him up; 2 strong Christian roomates from an ad in a church bulletin--both actors and both strong believers and reasonable rent; and a job--a real job to cover all of his monthly bills.

Joel talks to two professors and they both told him they would give him the highest recommendation and see if they could help him with the scholarship application. New Christian friends have moved into the area--less lonely, more fellowship.

Countless calls and offers for help with the mom's conferences, great solutions for 4 regional training meetings that are affordable, lots of prayer support, a new staff-part time to help with some of the piles, new opportunities, lots of great plans for training and Bible study writing partners; new book opportunities, Hope for the future.
It is a day by day adventure. It is a one-woman sanctuary, in the darkness of a pre-sunrise room, where through prayer and the living word, miracles are taking place every day and the Father is whispering His love and assurance, day by day, month by month, year by year. It is a story of great blessing between a fragile child and a gentle, patient, strong Father who cares.

Saying goodbye to Nate as he gets into the car for the long 2 day drive.

Two are better than one, a cord of three strands is not easily broken....

Deb, Sally and Shelley sharing spinach salad, grilled salmon and triple mousse cake.
For whatever reason, the puzzle of my life, is that over the years, we have had very few support systems or time with our families. We usually spend most holidays alone and have not had much family around to be close during times of crisis, celebration or life. We love our family, but it is just the lot in life our family has been called to live through. So, we understood early that we would not last long or well without community. But in this time in history, isolation from neighbors and even in mega-churches, loneliness from family discord and being different from culture at large,  is  epidemic.
God has been good to show us how to cultivate our own small bits of community so that we, and our children, can last longer. We have survived many years of loneliness, especially in their area of our ideals. We have been blessed with many, many kindred spirits nationally, but not always that support group right in our home--especially since our ministry has dictated that we move quite a bit. 
One of my favorite groups that has evolved over the years is my small history group. My three older children had other families and groups that we did life with and enjoyed, but now that Joy is my only child homeschooling, she needed a community--especially during these high school years. 
So two years ago, I asked two other families to join us in a history group. (They were already the families that travel with us to our conferences to help and work like Trojans and so we have logged some wonderful time together.The first year we studied the 1800's up to the depression years of world history. (We used beautiful feet loosely as a guide for the literature we would all use.) We would meet 2 times a month. We would all read at home a piece of literature at a time about the subject, but then I would assign reports to be done by everyone--even the moms--on an aspect of history during that time. We do reports on musicians, artists, economics, styles, athletics, events, as well as wars, biographies, and such. Sometimes the kids have been real dramatic and dressed up or done movies or video projects and sometimes they are just reports. But, it has been fun because we all enter into the fray of what we are studying. 
Then last spring, realizing that we also needed just fun time and people to pray with, we decided to meet for dinner once a month, taking turns at each other's houses. Great meals were eaten and lots of great prayer times as families and out of it, a men's Bible study arose. 
In August, the Lord put on my heart for us three moms to do a planning time for the year and just to have fun together. So we got a room at a beautiful retreat center near us--Glen Eyrie. I had brought with me a surprise tea time in a basket. 
My own tea set, white-chocolate, apricot, pecan scones, raspberry jam, clotted cream  (own recipe), tea, fruit, chocolate, cute little bookmarks for favors, candles, beautiful music and lots and lots of fun in our hotel room.
We talked and giggled and caught up on being friends, a lovely dinner out together--splitting and tasting each other's meal and then home to bed. 
The next morning was the planning. Each of us had time alone on the beautiful grounds walking and our own quiet time. 

mountain scenes at the Glen

Then came the planning--driving up to Pike's peak; hiking to the Waterfalls in the mountains, movies of world war 2 to watch on movie nights, 101 areas of reporting for us in the next 3 months; trip together to Kansas for the big Swedish festival and smorgasbord in October, Harvest Party inviting lots of friends in November; Progressive Christmas dinner in December with all of our older children home; and of course traveling to the Mom's conferences and working together.
We have one more memory together and decided to do this planning together every year.  Sometimes just providing the plan and environment sets the stage for developing committed friendships. It's why we do our mom's groups once a month. It is why we do the mom's conferences.
Now the kids caught on. They started an Inkling's group, just like the English authors Tolkien and C. S. Lewis and their friends had. These famous authors (about 8 of them) met at a pub once a week to talk about each other's writings and lives. So, we helped our kids organize an Inklings group that meets twice a month. They have to read a great piece of literature and have a "tea" time--or snack time--great hearing all of these teen guys and girls talking about great ideas and sharing fellowship. About 8 or nine are in so far. But we see life happening, and positive peer pressure and ideals being formed and friendships forged. 
Let me know about the groups you have started--might just be what someone else would be blessed by. Now, off to the mountains for our yearly trip to see the aspens--may be too early, but it is our only week. 
Thanks for all the great letters and emails about the mom's leadership conference. We have more plans up our sleeves but to know of your support was very needed and encouraging. Blessings of his grace as you need it today. Sending my love to my cyberspace friends who are such a blessing to me.

Mom Heart Leadership conference

Dear Sweet Moms, 
Many of you have asked about our mom heart leaders' training coming up in Colorado Springs. I am passing this on to you since I have received so many questions about it and many of you are not on our email list. Hopefully, the information below will answer most questions. Have a great weekend.
 Mom Heart Leader Training Retreat
 Sent to: Mom Heart leader moms
  New Date: November 6-8, 2009
  New Place: The Broadmoor Hotel
 
 

 

September 10, 2009
 
 Dear Mom Heart Friends,
 
    It is so encouraging for me to see the Lord continuing to open doors for Mom Heart Ministry. I get very excited just thinking of encouraging and helping moms, not just here in the states but all over the world, to stay faithful in their calling as a mom after God’s heart. The Mom Heart Leader Training Retreat is a first step toward making that vision real, and I appreciate your heart for and willingness to consider participating in it.
 
 Mom Heart Leader Training Retreat
 
    You have been very patient as we have tried to finalize the details for this first training event for Mom Heart leaders. The initial conference facility did not work out, due to date conflicts and prohibitive A/V costs that would have made recording and filming the weekend impossibly expensive. By God’s grace, though, we were able to secure a weekend at The Broadmoor Hotel. It is a 5-Star resort hotel, but they offered us greatly reduced room prices and free meeting rooms with no restrictions on A/V.
 
    So, thank you for bearing with us this year as we try to bring this strategic weekend together on short notice (we’ll start planning early for next year’s leader retreat).  If you know you can attend, click here to register now. If you think you can come, but you don't think you can register by Friday, click here to send us an email and let us know. We have been given a week grace period in determining how many rooms to reserve, so if you can let us know in the next week if you are planning to come, and you can go ahead and register, that would help us greatly. 

 
    There is a growing leadership team that is praying for you and excited about the weekend. They will be sharing in the training, praying with moms, and giving testimony of their experiences in ministering to mothers. In addition to hearing often from me (Sally), I am delighted that Sandra Maddox will also be sharing from her heart and experience. Sandra leads and trains mothers in Saddleback Church. Several other moms from a variety of states who minister to mothers will also offer their insights and help. It will be a full weekend that will leave you full of the Spirit! (A tentative schedule of the entire weekend is available on our website event page.)
 
 Who Should Attend This Event?
 
    The Mom Heart Leader Training Retreat is for any mother 1) who is currently leading a small group book or Bible study for mothers with our materials, or 2) who desires to be trained to begin and lead a new Mom Heart small group. This event is not the same as our Mom Heart Conferences, which are inspirational weekends for all mothers. This event is a strategic training weekend for mothers who are willing to lead a Mom Heart group or church ministry, or to train others to do so. Our goal is to inspire, motivate, envision, instruct, and train you as a mother, and for ministry to mothers. We will discuss how to start and lead a Mom Heart small group or church ministry, and you will leave with a personal and practical plan in hand to do that. In the process of the weekend, you will also be biblically encouraged and strengthened in your walk with the Lord, refreshed in the getaway beauty of the Rocky Mountain foothills, and spiritually renewed by great fellowship with other likeminded mothers.
 
    We know there are many moms who are leading a Mom Heart group, or who would like to, but who are not able to attend this retreat. We understand, and that is why we plan to record and film the training, and make it available later either by CD/DVD, or digitally to listen or view on-demand online. Also, we will offer some of the same messages at pre-conference meetings the Friday morning of each of our Mom Heart Conferences in CO, CA, TX, and NC. You will be able to register for those meetings when you register for one of the conferences (conference registration will begin NLT October 1).
 
 What Will the Retreat Cost?
 
    The Broadmoor is a wonderful, and normally very expensive, resort hotel, but it offered the best package out of the facilities we considered with availability for the dates we needed. The most economical way to attend this retreat will be to share a hotel room. To avoid higher room rates, we agreed to manage room registrations and assignments. If you know who you want to room with, send us an email after you register with the names of all who will be in your room. If you would like us to assign you to a room, send us an email after you register to let us know if you want to room with 1, 2, or 3 others. Registration rates include: conference registration and materials, two room nights, and an $80.00 gift card for meals (good for any purchase at The Broadmoor). Transportation from and to Colorado Springs airport is not included and must be arranged separately with the hotel ($35.00 round-trip hotel shuttle, runs on the hour, counter at the airport).
 
 
    You can check into your room at 3:00pm on Friday, November 6. Our first meeting will begin promptly at 7:00pm that evening. The retreat will end at 12:00pm (noon) on Sunday. If you are flying to the retreat, schedule your return flight after 2:00pm on Sunday if possible to avoid missing any of the final meeting time. There will be some free time in the schedule to take advantage of The Broadmoor’s many amenities such as fine restaurants and coffee bars, lake path for walking, shops for browsing, pools and hot tubs, a luxury spa (reservations are necessary), and more.
 
* * *
 
    Mom Heart Ministry is still very new, and just getting beating, so please continue to remember us in your prayers. Pray for wisdom as we develop and make decisions about Mom Heart, for financial resources so we can hire an administrator, for the provision of a good video camera to film conferences and talks, and for someone who can help us expand our online ministry to mothers around the world. Pray especially, of course, for the Mom Heart Leader Training Retreat, that God would bring women who would become the heart of new ministry movement to mothers. We so appreciate your support, prayers, and encouragement of us in this adventure. May you know God’s grace and blessing today!
 
In His heart,
 
Sally
Sally Clarkson
 
 
 
PS: If you are starting a small group for mothers this fall, remember that you can receive a discount for your books through our ministry (call Jennice at   888-488-4466  888-488-4466 ): 5-10 books @15%; 11+ books @20%. We also have DVD sets available for several books: Seasons of a Mother’s Heart (4 DVDs for $40); Mission of Motherhood (4 DVDs for $40); and Ministry of Motherhood (1 DVD for $15; 5 talks on the GIFTS). The DVDs contain 15-20-minute talks by Sally for each chapter in a book (except Ministry) that can be used as weekly introductions for a small group book study or a church ministry group.

 

 

 

 

Links

 

Sally's I Take Joy blog: www.itakejoy.com
n-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; ">Whole Heart Online website: www.wholeheart.org
Sarah's Itinerant Idealist blog: www.itinerantidealist.com
Joel's Music CD website: www.joelclarkson.com
 
 
Sally's Calendar 2009
  • October 17: Featured speaker for the ISI New England Women's Conference, Bloomfield, CT.Click for info.
  • November 6-8: Tentative: Mom Heart Leadership Training Retreat, Colorado Springs, CO (The Broadmoor Hotel). Click here for info or to register.
2010
  • January 22-23: Mom Heart Conference, Denver, CO, Denver Marriott South.
  • January 29-30: Midwinter Home Education Conference, Grand Rapids, MI, keynote speaker.
  • February 5-6: Mom Heart Conference, Irvine/OC, CA, Irvine Marriott.
  • February 26-27: Mom Heart Conference, Irving/DFW, TX, Dallas Marriott Las Colinas.
  • March 12-13: Mom Heart Conference, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley.
  

Whole Heart Ministries / P.O. Box 3445 / Monument, CO 80132 /  719-488-4466  719-488-4466
www.wholeheart.org

 

Peace, quiet, in the storm

Rembrandt on Jesus in the midst of the Storm

I have been thinking about Him, sleeping, quiet, at peace in the storm. Like a baby, warm, deep breath sleep, soundly at rest--restoring, trusting, fret-free existence in the calm of slumber.

How? Knowing that his beloved Father loves him and will care for Him. Knowing the Father knows all things and is the transcendent, creator, ruler, compassionate, trustworthy One.

In my storms, I am timid, fragile, fearful, doubting. 

He knew I would need Him, picturing for me the peace that passes understanding amidst the gales and torrential, unrelenting issues of life, so that two thousand years beyond I would have a image of what it means to rest in the storm.

"that they may know that you have loved them, even as you have loved me." John 17:23--He who loved and cared for Jesus in his storm, loves me just as much.

He who was with Jesus, is with me.

leaving me a psalm, a song to know I am secure:

1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High          Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.      2I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,          My God, in whom I trust!"      3For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper          And from the deadly pestilence.      4He will cover you with His pinions,          And under His wings you may seek refuge;          His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.      5You will not be afraid of the terror by night,          Or of the arrow that flies by day;      6Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,          Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.      7A thousand may fall at your side          And ten thousand at your right hand,          But it shall not approach you.      8You will only look on with your eyes          And see the recompense of the wicked.      9For you have made the LORD, my refuge,          Even the Most High, your dwelling place.      10No evil will befall you,          Nor will any plague come near your tent.      11For He will give His angels charge concerning you,          To guard you in all your ways.      12They will bear you up in their hands,          That you do not strike your foot against a stone.      13You will tread upon the lion and cobra,          The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.      14"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;          I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.      15"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;          I will be with him in trouble;          I will rescue him and )honor him.      16"With a long life I will satisfy him

         And let him see My salvation."

Psalm 91

He is still the calm in the midst of storms, the peace and rest in the torrents, the comfort and lover and One who is powerful above all and still says to the powers that threaten, "Be still."

So, today, I am seeking to be in that vortex of peace, beauty, rest, calm because He is here with me.

The Last Supper

 

Joel's Favorite for his last night 
Pork Roast a la Sally
Two pork loins
1-2 cups apple juice (depending on how big the loins are--I usually just pour it in to the top of the meat.)
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 package onion soup mix
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 apples sliced thinly
2 onions sliced thinly
1/2 -3/4  cup dried cherries according to preference (optional--some don't like this--but most of my family loves it)
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Stir the apple juice, garlic, soup mix and worcestershire sauce together in a crock pot. Place the pork loins in the sauce. Cover the meat with apples and onions. Sprinkle the dried cherries over the top. Put lid on and cook slowly all day. Salt and pepper to taste. The meat is so luscious and literally falls apart. Always a hit for crowds or for my kids and so very easy to do. I make an easy gravy out of the juice that is left over. I have a great source for natural, organic pork, so though we don't have it often, it is a real treat. 
Mashed potatoes
I almost always use red potatoes lately as they have less of a sugar base when cooked. I also use a pressure cooker and do them in four minutes. Add 1-2 teaspoons of condensed chicken bouillon (natural, no msg) when you drain the water from the potatoes and then you don't have to use as much butter. The bouillon gives it a rich taste. Salt and pepper to taste and a little butter and milk and whip away.
Steamed green beans
I love the green beans this time of year. Fresh is best, but there are frozen, thin beans that you can get at the grocery store. Steam over boiling water until just tender. While steaming, I sprinkle the beans with French herbs. When finished, I sprinkle lightly with sea salt and toss them in 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. They taste fresh and melt in your mouth. 
Since the children were little, we have often used the sparkling white or red grape juice with this meal.
*********************************************************************************************
Finally, since I am speaking about well-seasoned food, I would also like to point you to well-seasoned friends who are writers. I enjoy so many blogs of friends who encourage so many in very creative and thoughtful ways. But today, I wanted to point you to three women who I consider friends,  and mentors-encouragers, even though none of us have met face to face. Each woman walks with our precious Lord, each woman is seasoned in life--is old enough to have walked through many valleys and mountain tops and has gleaned wisdom along the way--and each will delight you through the writings of her heart and the sharing of her life.
Brenda Nuland delightful 
Elizabeth Foss     lifegiving
Ann Voscamp contemplative   
 
Enjoy!   
Now that Joel is back in Boston, Clay has his girls all about him--a different house for sure! God bless Nate and Joel today and let them know you love them and are with them. On to my life.......... 

Words of Life

John William Waterhouse Preraphaelites 
From time to time, I will be sharing some of my favorite artists with you. I picture this beautiful woman as one who sows beauty, stores goodness, gives life from the beautiful garden of her soul. 
"A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word." Proverbs 15:23
When I began to make joy a focus of my life, Biblical joy, and then wrote a book about it, I was so blessed, again, to learn so much in God's word that is changing my life. There are times when I learn truth and feel so guilty that it makes me want to stop being in ministry as I see how much I have fallen short of God's ways for me. But, if I take the truth as instruction for my own life so that I may live better and live more in the grace and blessing of the Lord, then I can just confess how I have fallen short, apply the new truth and move forward with God's blessing of forgiveness and love.
Indeed it is true that what we sow, we will reap. Yet, sowing requires a decision of our will, of our heart, to decide just what we will sow---or another concept--what we will build. An area that has come to my own life lately is that of words. Words have deep and abiding power. It is through words that we come to understand the truth about the Lord. Words can give hope, life, redemption or death, guilt, anger, bitterness. We are to be stewards of our words and if we are walking with God, we are to plant words as seeds in the hearts of our children, that our words of blessing might reap fruit of life and beauty and hope and confidence in their lives.

The legacy of words of anger

I have talked to a number of precious moms lately who struggle with anger, impatience, and yell a lot at their children. Of course all of us have experienced this if we have lived very long. Yet, if we sow angry words, condemning words, guilt producing words, we will sow children who feel hurt, condemned, guilty, criticized, unloved. But, studying scripture in this area lately has really caused me to develop some stronger convictions again, about the importance of guarding my lips and keeping them from pouring out anger--and of asking for forgiveness when I do so! We all do this from time to time, but if we are to grow in righteousness, we need to use self-control in the areas of anger and learn to move more and more into His gracious, patient love over time as we mature in His own love and fatherhood of us.
Sowing words of life
A child has joy in an apt answer, I might paraphrase. And how delightful is a timely word. If children grow up on words such as, "I am so thankful for you!" "You are a blessing to me." "I appreciate you because...." "God has a special place for you in his kingdom." "You encourage me." "I see that you are capable in ____area. You are the rock. You are a joy. You are faithful. You are a lover." "I believe in you." I believe in your dreams." etc. , then there will be stored up in their hearts a deep confidence that they are loved, respected, appreciated, called by God to accomplish great things for His kingdom. 
And in marriage....
As in all of the other areas of our lives, we have choices to make. In marriage, we can look at the great faults of our spouses or hold on to bitterness or rights and justify our speeches and lectures and complaints to them--needing to understand that this kind of speech kills a relationship.  
Or we can look at those areas for which we are grateful or why we were attracted to our spouses to begin with. We can pile on guilt or discouragement, complaints, unforgiveness for what we have not received. This is the way of the world. 
The ways of God, which are forgiveness and love, are to verbalize words that bring life. We must bear our spouses load and speak words of love, respect, admiration and support, and let them know we forgive them. What we sow we will reap. 
Same goes in friendship, ministry, for children or for work. We can choose to be a blessing and sow seeds of faith in the lives of those God has brought in our lives, or we can sow death to a relationship. 
Scripture tells us that, "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things." 
Interesting that it is the heart of the righteous. When I have had a quiet time and spent time filling my heart up with the love and forgiveness and encouragement of God, then my heart is ready to be like His to those in my arena.
If we understand that if we are to reach our children with the messages of God, then we will see our children, through the filter of the eyes of our mind as those whose hearts need to be filled with the love and goodness and truth of God. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." To reach my heart, I need those who love me and accept me for who I am. Then I am much more likely to befriend them and get close to them. However, if someone is critical of me and I always feel judged, I will avoid that person. 
If this is the way I am reached, through the love and acceptance of others, then I know that my own children will respond similarly. If I see their hearts need to be unconditionally accepted, as they are, even in all of their immaturity and perfection, then I will invest in a legacy of good, kind, restoring, encouraging words that build souls and memories of love into their very being. 
Conversely,  words of complaint and condemnation drive our children, spouse, friends far from us. Or words of kindness, care, encouragement can bring them close to us. We must choose and build the kind of legacy we want to have. 
 I am asking the Lord for myself, for what He talks about in Isaiah, "
"The Lord has given me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple."
Do we sustain the weary with our words? Do I seek to be patient with a sleepy toddler, an awkward and frustrated teen, a weary and over-loaded husband, a depressed and discouraged friend? Are my words a fountain of hope and righteousness or death, discouragement and a piling of darkness. 
In Matthew 12: 36-37 Jesus says, "And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account of in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned." Scary thought! I tend to talk a lot and I do have a critical spirit, so I have a lot to repent of! 
But, I have asked for forgiveness. I have asked God to teach me to be one who practices giving  words of grace and life. 
I have been finding that the more I seek to sow words of life, to take initiative to re ally tell people how much I love and appreciate them, to give words of life, that my own heart has grown in love and in peace and acceptance of them and of myself. It is as all the other areas in which I learn to obey God, that in my obedience, I eventually become blessed. How patient a Father He is! How wise are His ways in my life. 
I will end my thoughts  with words of life to Him, who is my most wonderful teacher. I love you my wonderful, patient, loving, grace-giving, servant Lord. You enrich my life with your love and training. You sustain me in my weariness with your words. You bless me by your gentleness and faithfulness. Know that I love you today with all of my heart. Bless those who read these words today with a well springing from their hearts with words of life and beauty and love. Let those who need words of love, receive them from you. Then, fill their homes with love, life, beauty and give them grace today to live in your grace.
grace and peace today.

Reading, composing and living through the days celebrating life!

Yearly Ritual-Family Day in the Rocky Mountains 2009 pic

Each time my older children are home, I drop everything just to make one more memory with them. For us it means lots of rousing dinner table discussions with lots of feasts,(home made pizza, spaghetti pie, fajitas, warm soups and homemade breads, salads and smoothies galore, cinnamon rolls, Meditaranian--grilled vegies and chicken and humus and whole wheat pita and the boys always request at least one night of steak---how typically manly of a request--I am not great at grilling steak--but they never seem to notice!-- tea times galore, meals at favorite restaurants) and pajama'd mornings sitting around just telling stories--movies and hikes in the mountains. 

It is about to wear me out! I do love thinking of myself filling the treasure-chest of their heart with more truth, love, memories, wisdom, fun and the goodness of God, so that they will have a reason to stay faithful. We got Nathan off to LA a few days ago. I would so appreciate your prayers for him--that God would open doors for a job, good roomates and some good and godly friends as anchors. He is idealistic and passionate to jump into the ring of his life and find what God has for him. Since the Lord showed up in New York city while he was at the New York Film academy and drew him closer, I trust Nathan, once more, into God's hands and pray He will use Nate to bring light and hope in the entertainment industry--(and also provide him with a job in a bad economy! :) 
I have had so many ask me for more information on reading. I am including two very wonderful articles. A few years ago, Clay encouraged me to be a real adult and sent Sarah and me to a leadership conference in Oxford and Cambridge. (a week in each place! It was amazingly refreshing!) One of the highlights was hearing Dana Gioia, the man appointed by President Bush, to head the national endowment for the arts. He did the biggest study done in America to that point about the literacy of Americans--and since then it has gotten worse. When we met him and talked to him in person, his passion and concern for American youth was palpable. 
For those of you who want to fill your mind and soul on the importance of reading and developing a value and love for reading in your children, please read these articles thoughtfully and then pass them on. The soul and mind of the next generation does depend, to a great deal, on the ability to read and to reason and to be informed intelligently in spirituality and morality and values through understanding and engaging in great thoughts. These are the links:
My daughter, Sarah, just finished a book about reading and has lots of lists, for Apologia press. They heard her speak and immediately asked her to write a book. It will hopefully be out in November. You can find some of her favorite books and a few articles here
Here are just a few reasons I speak about that I hope might encourage you!
Reading is the foundation for knowledge and education.
Reading exercises and strengthens the mind to handle great thoughts.
Reading cultivates a love for knowledge and education.
Reading contributes to moral development and godly character. 
Reading provides patterns for noble, heroic, and righteous living.
Reading increases understanding of the world's views and values.
Reading instills a broad understanding of history and its influences.
Reading models correct grammar and best uses of language.
Reading contributes to a wide vocabulary, good word usage and the ability to write well.
Reading uniquely enables the child to acquire, conceive and understand the best thoughts, ideas and principles of life. 
(copyright Educating the Whole Hearted Child--new version out in January!)
A Musical Genius in my own home  (I am the mom! :) ) 
Finally, I am luxuriating in having a composer home for 3 weeks. It is amazing what Joel has learned just in 6 months at an excellent music school. I have included one of his new compositions he is working on--so fun to hear all this music around at our home--all the kids got the music gene so there are rousing sing fests and teaching times (between Joel and Joy mainly!) For all of you who keep up with Joel and who have asked about his music and bought his cd, thanks a million zillion.

Our life would be easier if.........

If we weren't Christians. If we didn't have such strong ideals and felt the need to live by them and talk about then all the time.

If we weren't  mentally ill.

If our internet connection would work!

If we didn't have to worry about money or dirty dishes!

~anonymous older Clarkson child

There is no end to issues or problems---or dirty dishes in our house. All the kids are home, including the very big ones--and they all want to eat all the time. 

Often I awaken with the burdens of life on my heart and the sadnesses of friends and the duties of life. However, a few years ago, I realized that I didn't want to end up sad and depressed and weary. Of course most of you who have followed this blog for a while know that is why I started this I take joy blog. I realized that if it is true that you reap what you sow, I wanted to sow joy--I wanted to reap joy.

Recently I just finished writing my book on joy which will be out in  a few months. But I did learn so very much about Biblical joy. It is possible. God is a God of joy and the fruit of His spirit is joy. But I also learned that most of Biblical joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God--the focus on eternity, the celebrating of life, and the living in the unconditional love and intimacy of our precious Lord. 

Yet is it so easily obscured in the midst of the busy-ness of life. So, today, in the midst of making the last 5 favorite meals for Nate and Joel-since they are both home together with the girls for 5 days, and trying to get every talk in and every tradition celebrated, and trying my hardest to not blow my stack in the midst of all the goings ons (did I mention I have a fully fledged, sweet teen girl in the midst of all the issues in the midst of all the other issues of all my others! :) But today the Lord is with me and in my midst and I am loving Him in the midst of all the moments of a busy home-and He is loving me.

So, think about this today and let it sink in, and then make a heart-felt commitment to follow this type of life-giving, heart celebrating  of life--what you sow--what choices you make every moment really do have consequences! How you choose to see God--good or suspect--how you think you will reach your children--with love and life-giving words or with anger--it all has consequences. (I am writing this so my heart and soul will be reminded of how to behave and how to think rightly in the midst of my own whirlwinds!)

"Sing as if no one is listening

Dance as if no one is watching

Love as you've never loved before

live as if heaven is here on earth."

Dr. William W. Perky

My addition--celebrate this day, this moment with your children and love and kiss them on the head as though you may never have another day to do it! Peace and grace!

Sabbath rest enforced!

 Girl's Girl's Club Memories Sometime about 12 years ago when I was so exhausted and somewhat ill, a doctor said, "You can kill yourself if you want to, but if you want to live well for years to come, you need to take responsibility for your health--no one else will!

I began to realize that for many years I had exhausted myself and given so much that I had gotten to the danger point. At this particular point, Joy had nocturnal asthma and was up 1-2 hours every night, Sarah had an unusual illness, Clay was gone 3-4 days a week and still every day everyone had to eat, wear reasonable clean clothes and needed my attention. Plus it was the beginning of the growth of our new ministry and I was in the thick of homeschooling. So how was I going to make my life different?
1. Change my schedule to fill my own needs--since I am the well from which everyone draws all the time, I needed to be sure my well was being regularly filled back up. Rethinking how to center my life was essential.
2. Cutting out of my schedule those things that people wanted from me and that life seemed to call forth from me--but that weren't essential--always hard to figure out--I have a hard time saying no. But there are meetings, lessons, "experiences" and always people wanting my attention. Had to realize that I could not have integrity in my messages if there was no integrity in my life. So, though I would love to meet all the needs I see out there, I have to get used to the fact that I will never, never be able to get everything done I would like to, and so I have to choose to ignore some things in order to attend to the most important things (My walk with the Lord and quiet time, my physical body, my husband, my children, then my ministry)
3. Added regular exercise to my life to get rid of my high adrenalin--high stress in my life and much of it dealt with by exercise--plus it is how I discipled Sarah--she walked with me every morning-2-3 miles.
4. Watching my diet more carefully--lots of fruit and vegetables and salads and nuts with some occasional "bad" stuff-but weighing in on the 75% healthy side that my naturalist suggested and 25% splurge--(traveling demands that I be flexible and we love to celebrate life--Sundays is mainly the day for our family!)
5. Reading and filling my mind from other mature believer's lives.
6. Simplify, simplify, simplify all of life.
7. Sabbath rest--always take Sundays off to rest, have fun, fellowship, worship and let everything rest until Monday--it is still there.
This is what I am doing now. I have had some real fulfilling months and yet very taxing. But this week is about dropping everything. For one, my darlings need just me with no interruption-(means I am not answering phone calls unless they are from family); not doing email or blogs except when I have totally undistracted and alone time--which is not very often; no work unless it has to be done on a deadline. Fun, building memories, having long, needed talks with my girls, honoring my relationship with them above anything else, sleeping, walking and playing on beach and keeping in mind my Sabbath to the Lord--He can take care of all of the demands--if I don't observe these days of planned Sabbath for my soul, I will not be prepared for anything else--He and His ways must come first if I am going to make it this year!
Fun memories from this week!
Sunset in the desert!