Sages of Darkness Book Series by Brock Eastman

Have you ever read a book by Brock Eastman?  No?  You really should!  He takes you into an entirely different world full of truth, real life struggles and intense reality.  Please take a moment to check out his Kickstarter campaign for The Sages of Darkness series here.  My kids love stories about darkness, I think we all do, it lures us.  It's really hard with some of the books they want to read because I have to turn them down.  I would never turn down a Brock Eastman book.  They always lead you straight to the Truth Himself.  As a family that loves books and wants to keep to the Word in "be careful little eyes what you see", Brock does an A++ job at clean and virtuous writing.  Thanks Brock!  And please, be sure to check out his Kickstarter campaign as well as his Facebook page. 

Hallowed Halls Book Review

Hallowed Halls by Hannah Alexander

Christian Writers Guild Publishing

©2014, 269 pgs

From the back of the book:

"When Dr. Joy Gilbert is fired from her lucrative position in the city, she returns to her small hometown to find her ex-boss’s 15-year-old daughter popping out the back door of her car.  Tressa refuses to return to the city where her divorced parents are battling in the wake of her brother’s death.  Instead of the peace Joy seeks, she finds her former fiancé, Zach, single again, and her once vivacious mother struggling financially and physically.  Tressa’s rebellion threatens Joy’s career, but that threat becomes secondary when it appears that Tressa suffers from a life threatening illness.  Joy and Zach must learn how to heal their emotional wounds to save Tressa’s life."

This Medical Romance/Family Drama is written for adults but suitable for teens 16 and up. 

Hallowed Halls shows the real life struggle that happens when a person is emotionally injured by “The Church” as well as people close to them.  The husband and wife author team brings into the story the themes of Faith Lost and Restored, Hearts Healed by Truth Revealed, and Greater Purpose-the ability to look beyond our own selfishness and see that there are others that need us and we need them.  Communication or the lack of is usually at the root of our relationship problems.  Whether we are fighting with our parents, spouse, children, best friend, or boyfriend/girlfriend, it usually boils down to poor communication.  After reading this book, I found the main gem for me to be the importance of being “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” –James 1:19. 

Sensitive Topics:

There is no foul language, however, there are adult relational issues that rise up as well as an act of violence described and real life health situations that make this book sensitive for young readers. 

There is talk of not “putting out” to retain her job by Joy.  Very little kissing is spoken of and sexual purity is maintained throughout the entire book. 

Weston shows up to Joy’s house and has been drinking. 

The Pain Clinic Joy works for at the start of the book prescribes Narcotics to patients.  Joy has a problem with her boss wanting her to “push” narcotics onto her patients as an answer to all of their problems. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would encourage others who like a good Uplifting Romance to dive into this one. 

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

This is an extension of my previous post of the book On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness.  I have found that many families are unaware of the land of Aerwiar and the multifaceted Igiby family.  I am hoping to draw some attention to their adventures by giving another dangle in front of your beautiful faces.

At first it was difficult for me to have a spare moment to make any headway in the lives of the Igiby's and the very unique land of Aerwiar.  That was only because interruptions by my children made it hard to concentrate on the opening details that lead you into a world of fantastical creatures and a thought provoking way of life.  The only fix was to read the books as a family.

In Book One of the Wingfeather Saga:  On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, Andrew Peterson takes a the Igiby family (Janner, Tink, Leeli, Nia, Podo and dare I say one more?  No, I will leave that for you to find out.) on the greatest adventure of their lifetime.  There is danger and excitement around every corner.  Just when you think the coast is clear another (Thwap shows up? No.) twist changes the entire foreseeable future and you are left on the edge of your seat, only to beg for a break in the story so that you can put the book down to use the restroom.  Yes, it is that Awesome of a book! 

A direct quote from my twelve year old son Alex, "Mom, I liked the Lord of the Rings books, but the Wingfeather Saga is exciting from page one!"  

There are Sea Dragons, Thwaps, Toothy Cows, Fangs, Gnag the Nameless and a trusty dog named Nugget. I wish that I could tell you more, but I would ruin the wonderful time that you and your family will be able to embark on if I do.  And believe me, I remember each and every moment sharing this story with my family.  

 So, are you ready for a new kind of adventure that will leave you wanting to be a part of the Igiby family? The excitement we had each night as we snuggled up on the couch to enter into the town of Skree. Within the walls of this story lies such adventure and thrill that will capture hearts young and old.  I rank Andrew Peterson's books right up there with C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia.  Now that I have gotten to know the Igiby's and their thwap filled garden, I cannot imagine my library without them in it.

**This series is suitable for children ages 10 and up.  There is some violence, although nothing I think a seasoned reader of The Chronicles of Narnia couldn't handle. I do not suggest a child younger than 10 reading these books only because there are moments of intensity that could bother them.  On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is good, clean, moral and I believe instills the longing for honor and valor in those who read it.  There are tests of faith, choices with consequences and opportunity to make things right.  Though we read this as a family, I feel completely confident that a child age 10 or older could read this book and or the entire series without guidance.  If you are a parent and thinking of letting your child, younger than 10, read this book or even the entire saga, I recommend that you read it first and make your decision after that.  Only you, as a parent, truly know what is and what is not acceptable for your child to read.

To purchase this book please visit the Rabbit Room. Purchasing a book from the Author's store blesses the Author more financially.  However, you may also find the book at Amazon as well as Barnes & Noble. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl Ice Cream

So I have to say that I made this ice cream by divine revelation.  I had this crazy strange dream last night and right before I woke up I had this idea on how to make chocolate peanut butter ice cream.  So here is the recipe I created today for the first time and I must say it is delicious.

You will need:

An Ice Cream Freezer
or a Freezer Safe container with an airtight lid
3 1/2 C half and half
1 1/2 C sugar
1/2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 C peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla

Mix 1/2 C half and half, 1/2 C choc chips, 1/4 C peanut butter, 1/2 C sugar in a sauce pan. Stirring continuously, melt and then bring to a thick bubbly sauce over medium low heat.  It should have the consistency of a heated fudge sauce.  Place the sauce to cool and then set into the refrigerator until ready to use. 

In a bowl, mix well, 3 C half and half, 1 tsp vanilla and 1 C sugar together.  This is your ice cream base.  Place the base in an ice cream maker/freezer for 20-25 min until soft serve consistency or place into a freezer safe container and stir every 20 min until desired consistency.  After your base is soft serve consistency, fold in dollops of firmed up chocolate peanut butter fudge sauce.  Your sauce should be almost like peanut butter thick.  Let freeze the rest of the way in the freezer and serve when ready to enjoy :)  

So there you have it.  I really do hope you all enjoy this wonderful (additive free) ice cream.  We have gotten so use to homemade ice cream that we have a difficult time eating anything else.  I will post a photo later :)

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

Recently my family and I began a new journey through the land of Aerwiar.  For my son and my husband who dive into books and are never distracted by the tasks of home economics they were fascinated from the beginning.  However, I on the other hand, am constantly being interrupted and so it has taken me a little longer to get completely involved with the Igiby's and feel like they deserve a permanent residence here at the Schober Hollow.  Now that I have gotten to know them and their thwap filled garden, I cannot imagine my library without them in it.  So I am writing to all of you to inform you that if you are interested in a new adventure full of excitement and unimaginable creatures of every kind....might I dangle a new read in front of your faces, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson is the first in the Wingfeather Saga and one I think will lead you to the others (North or Be Eaten!, The Monster in the Hollows and finally, The Warden and the Wolf King soon to be released in April of 2014).  Below is a link to a note from the Author to us parents.  I hope you are blessed.

 http://networkedblogs.com/BItbi  (click on the link and then all the way to the right is a tab that says A Note to Parents)

Aerwiar

Aerwiar

Aerwiar

Aerwiar

Aerwiar

Liquid Laundry Detergent

This is for one gallon at a time. 

1/6 or 2cm of a bar of fels naptha soap, grated

3C cold water

1/4 C Arm & Hammer super washing soda

1/4 C borax

2 C hot water

20 drops of essential oils if you wish

Heat 3 C water and fels naptha in a pan until dissolved, then boil mixture for 15 min.  Remove from heat and add 2C of Hot Water then add super washing soda and borax.  stir well.  should be the consistency of honey.  Pour into a one gallon jug and add enough cold water to make up a gallon.  Put in essential oils at this time if you are going to do so.  I like Lavender.  Leave some headroom because you will need to be able to shake the pee diddle out of it later.  Mix until blended.  (I use a 1 gal Tupperware container and transfer to a Kirkland detergent dispenser later but the 1 gal vinegar jugs from Costco are heavy duty and work well)  Let sit for 24 hours, soap will gel.  shake until well mixed and smooth or use a beater if able.  1/2 cup for each load.

the initial ingredients cost less than 11 dollars all together and can save you up to 150 a year.

This recipe is adapted from another one I found online at the following link : http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

Having a Heart of Worship

Crashing waves
          Thrusting against the rocks
                     Weathering the reefs of coral

                                  Molding each into the depths of the sea

                                              Behold the beauty of our Father’s creations

                                                          He commands each wave

                                                                       He calms each gust of wind

                                                          Each grain of sand smoothed by His hands

                                                                       Every pearl accounted for

                                                                               His greatness endures forever

                                                                   10-14-98

My greatest desire is to be consistent in having a heart of worship.

You might ask, “What does that mean?”  Let’s look at some definitions from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and some scriptural references and see what the Lord says to us. 

I looked up the definition for heart, its always fun to read definitions because they can be quite comical when you are looking for a meaning that fits the context of your research.  So for heart:

1. A hollow muscular organ of vertebrate animals that by its rhythmic contraction acts as a force pump maintaining the circulation of blood. 
2. A playing card marked with a stylized figure of a red heart
3. Personality/disposition
4. The emotional or moral as distinguished from the intellectual nature as generous disposition; compassion, love affection (won her heart), courage/ardor (never lost heart).
5. Ones innermost character, feelings, or inclinations (knew it in his heart).
6. The central or innermost part, the essential or most vital part of something.

I want you to ponder more on the sixth definition, The central or innermost part, the essential or most vital part of something. 

But before we do that (since we are laying a foundation here) lets look at our other definition, that of worship:

1. Chiefly British, a person of importance-used as a title for various officials.
2. Reverence offered a divine being or super natural power, an act of expressing such reverence.
3. A form of religious practice with its creed and ritual.
4. Extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.
5. (verb) To honor or reverence as a divine being or super natural power.
6. (verb) To regard with great or extravagant respect, honor or devotion.

Notice the last two both apply to our Lord?  The noun definitions could apply to almost anything-anyone.  However, the act or verb as some may call it of worship truly depicts what we are doing when we say we are worshiping our Lord.  But for arguments sake, I am going to just pick one and that is the last definition on the list, to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor or devotion. 

I believe that what the Lord truly wants from us when He asks us to worship Him is to worship Him by using the central or innermost part, the essential or most vital part of ourselves-our heart, to what? To regard Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior with great extravagant respect, honor and devotion. 

I looked up the word worship in the Vines Complete Expository Dictionary and this is what it said:

For the Old Testement: 

Sahah “to worship, prostrate oneself, bow down”.  Saha is used as the common term for coming before God in worship.  The act of bowing down in homage was generally done before a superior or a ruler.

For the New Testement: 

There are five different translations to worship, proskuneo “to make obeisance, do reverence to” from pros, “towards” and kuneo “to kiss” is the most frequent word rendered “to worship”. It is used as an act of homage or reverence to God, to Christ, to man, to the Dragon, to the Beast, to the image of the Beast, to demons, and to idols. 

Sebomai “to revere”, stressing the feeling of awe or devotion to God or to a goddess.

Sebazomai “to honor religiously”.

Latreuo “to serve, to render religious service or homage”.

Eusebeo “to act piously towards”.

I found this interesting though, in the notes it states:

The worship of God is nowhere defined in scripture. 

I found this relieving because in all of this searching of the text, I was struggling to find any scripture that truly defined worship.  However, there are several great examples of worship and encouragements in having a pure heart of worship. Let’s take a look. 

Gen 24:48

And I bowed my head and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son. 

Gen 24:52

And it came to pass, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, that he worshiped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.

Ex 4:31

So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

Josh 5:14

So He said, “No, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”

2 Chron 7:3

When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord saying, “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.”

1 Chron 16:29

Give the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him.  Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

(what can we bring as an offering to the King? Our lives perhaps?)

2Chron 29:28

So all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. 

(notice that it does not say that everybody sang or that everybody played an instrument)

Psalm 66:4

All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You; they shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah

Matt. 2:21 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.  And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

(giving God our best)

Luke 24:51-53

Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven and they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

(worshiping the Lord causes us great joy)

John 4:23-24

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

Matthew Henry says:

Spiritual affections, as shown in fervent prayers, supplications, and thanksgivings, form the worship of an upright heart, in which God delights and is glorified.

Eph 6:5-8

Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. Knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 

Some of us learned in a recent study by Cynthia Heald that a servant does not go beyond their obligation, they merely do what was their duty to do, however, a bond slave or doulos is willing to do whatever He (our Master) asks. 

**excerpt from Becoming a Woman of Strength**

Oswald Chambers provides a good summary of this chapter:

To have a master and to be mastered is not the same thing.  To have a master means that there is one who knows me better than I know myself, one who is closer than a friend, one who fathoms the remotest abyss of my heart and satisfies it, one who has brought me into the secure sense that he has met and solved every perplexity and problem of my mind.  To have a master is this and nothing less-He wants us in the relationship in which He is easily Master without our conscious knowledge of it, all we know is that we are His to obey.

Col 3:23

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. 

Okay, so what does having a heart of worship look like?

I love my husband.  He says, “It’s simple honey, the Bible says in Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little.”

I had to get out our Matthew Henry’s Commentary to further explain to me this scene I was looking at in Psalm 2.

The story starts back at vs 10 and says…”Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed you judges of the earth.  Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. 

Matthew Henry states this:

Whatever we rejoice in, in this world, it must always be with trembling because of the uncertainty of all things in it.  To welcome Jesus Christ, and to submit to Him, is our wisdom and interest.  Let Him be very dear and precious; love Him above all, love Him in sincerity, love Him much, as she did to whom much was forgiven, and in token of it, kissed his feet in Luke 7:38 and with a kiss of loyalty take this yoke upon you, and give up yourselves to be governed by His laws, disposed of by His providence, and entirely devoted to His cause. 

Having a heart of worship is so much more than bringing gifts to our King, singing praises to His Name, playing our best for Him. God does not want us to put worshiping Him into a box.  I believe He left it open so that we could see that everything we do with our whole hearts unto Him is worship.  We are so uniquely different, from the center of our being all the way to the outer core, that it is impossible to say this is worship or that is worship.  It really boils down to the heart.  And only the Lord truly knows what is in the heart.

 So when we do something as unto the Lord, even if it is just scrubbing toilets, making beds, doing the laundry, remember all of this is a sweet fragrance to Him when our heart is directed toward pleasing our Master.  It’s in the having of that intimate communication with the Lord while we seek His face.

Kiss the Son.  Be intimate in everything.