Thanks a million!

I have missed writing for the past few weeks. I planned to stop procrastinating, but just kept putting it off!
Many thanks to you for your wonderful comments and emails regarding my one year anniversary of writing this blog. It has been my joy sharing with you thoughts that God has placed on my heart. And it is my prayer that this little spot of cyberspace will always serve as an encouragement to you, equipping you to serve our King. Please feel free to keep leaving comments so we can “chat” at Eternity Cafe!
Kathy D. is the winner of Max Lucado’s newest book, Fearless. Congratulations, Kathy! It is a great read!
Susan

Splendor in the Ordinary

Last night, some friends and I attended a minor league baseball game.
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Parking Fee: $2.00
Entrance Fee: $7.00
Piece of Americana: Priceless

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It was so much fun watching and participating in this all-American sport – being at this small venue, rooting for the home team, eating hot dogs (my son, not me!), seeing the local advertisers. And after the game – a terrific fireworks display.
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I noticed that during the fireworks, the ground crew was busy on the field, in the dark, cleaning up the infield, going about their business, paying no attention whatsoever to the splendor above them.
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And I wondered…
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How often do I go about my business, running errands, cleaning up my home, and fail to notice the spendor all around me?
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How often do I miss the plants, green all summer, that burst into bloom now in the fall? The photos of my loved ones on the windowsill that might need dusting, but really need a prayer today? The sun behind the clouds providing warmth and light? The stars and moon illuminating the night sky like jewels on velvet?
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How often to I take for granted my abilities just to do my ordinary tasks? To be thankful for limbs that work, eyes that see, ears that hear? To appreciate my voice that can’t sing a note on key, but can be heard by my children, sharing words of encouragement? To be grateful for the heart that pumps without my notice, the lungs that breathe in comingled air – take in needed oxygen – and expel the rest, the tiny circulating white blood cell soldiers combating infection, all without my notice?
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How often do I grumble rather than thank my Provider for my home that needs work? my clutter that represents memories of sweet days gone by? my other clutter demanding my attention which, in time, I am able to provide?
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Do I resent the intrusion of cell phones that keeps my kids fingers texting at the dinner table or do I thank the Lord for technology that allows me to keep in touch with them in their language while they are away at college? that even took the picture above capturing my moment of inspiration?
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Sharing this with my husband, he said, “The crew sees the fireworks every night. They just wanna go home.” And that is true enough. But there is splendor in our every day experiences that we miss because they become ordinary to us.

Today, I encourage you to take notice of God’s presence in the ordinary. Your day will not be the same!
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Be thankful in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you
who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thess.5:18


Susan

My Girls

Fifteen years ago, when my children were just 5 & 3 years old, my friends and I began a women’s neighborhood Bible study. Over the years, we have had many women share our Tuesday mornings, most for years, some for months, all for different seasons of our lives. We have laughed, cried and prayed together, sharing each other’s joys and sorrows. We have broken bread and studied the Word together. We know that this group provides a safe haven to share our burdens. Our children have grown from babes to young adults, have grown mighty in the Lord and have struggled with the forces of evil. Through it all, we have seen God work His wonders in and through us. I am so thankful for my partner Lisa, for these wonderful women and for the God that brought us together.
At our Christmas brunch, we all raved about Annie’s recipe, and she graciously shared it:
AVOCADO and TOMATO SALAD
2 or 3 firm Haas Avocados
2 16oz pkgs. Grape Tomatoes sliced in two
2 16oz pkgs. Mozzarella Cheese cut up in 1 in pieces
2 whole sections of Scallion chopped small
1 handful of chopped Dill
1 large clove of Garlic minced
2 Tbls. Extra virgin oil
White pepper to taste – it is not sharp like black pepper

Mix the tomatoes, cheese, scallions, dill, garlic, oil and pepper in a large bowl. Keep refrigerated.

The avocado needs to be firm, but not hard as a rock. Usually if you keep it one day after you buy it, that’s about right. Peel them last so they don’t get soft.

Cut into decent sized pieces. If you make them too small, they will get mushy. Add the avocado last. Toss with the rest of the ingredients and store in the refrigerator in a 2qt covered container.

If you try fresh mozzarella, remember that it is not as firm as regular packaged cheese. You can experiment by adding other ingredients to this salad. It’s great to add other ingredients also, like parcooked asparagus.
– Nusia Dubas

Bon Appetit!!

Susan

Preparation for Thanksgiving Day

Hope you enjoy these quotes from Amy Carroll’s blog:

“On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence.”
–William Jennings Bryan

“The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.”
–H.U. Hestermayer

“Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men [& women]; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.”
–E.P. Powell

“What we’re really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?”
–Erma Bombeck

One thing I’m thankful for is that this day has not been commercialized. In these anxious times, it is worthwhile to stop and remember the many blessings that we do have.

Susan

Thankful Thursday

First of all, let me express my thanks to you for sharing your precious time with me here at Eternity Cafe, for your encouragement and your support over this past week & a half. It’s a whole new world, this blogosphere!! And since I’m trying to write a book, I worried that this blog might become a burden. Instead, it has sparked my creative juices, and helped to focus me on my project!

I plan to use some Thursdays as an opportunity for you and me to express thanks! As Paul wrote in 1 Thess. 5:18, “Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God’s will for you.” Did you ever wonder – what is God’s will for me? Well, here it is! Giving thanks in all circumstances! (Not FOR all your circumstances, but IN all circumstances. And sometimes, it may be in spite of your circumstances. There’s always something to be thankful for.) When he wrote about prayer and peace in his letter to the Phillipians, Paul says that “in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God…” Then that incomprehensible peace of God with stand guard over your heart and your mind. Do you want the peace of God? When you pray, be sure to include thanksgiving.
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I’m so thankful to God for the peace He alone can give. For loving me when I was (and am) unlovely. For His great sacrifice – giving me new life. I’m thankful for the other loves of my life – my wonderful family. God knew what He was doing when He gave me my husband and kids. I’m so proud of them, and I am a better person because they are in my life. And I couldn’t ask for a better church family!
Won’t you take a moment now to think of what you are thankful for?
Will you share a comment so that we can all be blessed?
THANK YOU!!!
Susan