Thursday, June 21, 2012

Peace



Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. - Jesus (John 14:27)
---------------------
I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. - Jesus (John 16:33)


I just felt like someone may need to read those words today :) 

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Reviled, we bless


We are never likely to be under the curse that comes when all men speak well of us. In this case it is all so unexpected that we must keep low before our God and not wonder 'Why?' Faith never wonders why.   Just now the word I am saying over and over to myself is 'Being reviled, we bless'. That whole passage in 1 Corinthians 4 is speaking deep into me, for we are on the scrap-heap now, utterly and entirely, perhaps for the first time in our life. And I do think it is much easier to enjoy in prospect than in reality. 'Let my good name go hang, if only Christ be glorified.' Yes, that's it.    Aren't you glad that we need never stop loving? We may be disappointed, but love can go on....

(Excerpt from 'Candles in the dark'.)

*I realize that I have been sharing quite a bit from Amy Carmichael lately, either on this blog or on Facebook. I hope the things that the Lord has been using, along with His Word, to encourage me in this current season of my life (and my family's), are also encouraging to you.  

Thursday, June 14, 2012

My Garden To Date



I am much more encouraged about my garden this year than lasts. I believe I only harvested corn and cherry tomatoes last year. But, it was my first and it gave me something to do.

This year, however, looks like I'll be getting a better harvest. I'm trying to do everything as organically as possible, but I did end up having to pick up a couple of tomato plants from the store because of bad seed. And then I was blessed with a few more plants from a friend at church :) They are not super tall yet, but getting there!


Beef Steak

(Honestly, I'm not really sure why I am dedicating a whole post to plants. I guess it's the gardener thing to do. I wouldn't blame you if you stopped reading right here :) ) 

These are green bell peppers...or at least I hope they will be someday. Feels like they are taking forever to grow! I believe our soil may have a lack of magnesium, so last month I ended up watering them with an Epsom salt mixture. It seems to be helping! The leaves went from yellowish brown to bright green and they are growing taller.

Of course the sun makes them still look yellow.

Just picked these cucumbers this morning! They are the very first I have ever grown and they taste delicious. Yay!


I think the part of my garden that I am the most "excited" about are the pumpkins. I am really hoping to make homemade pumpkin pies this Fall! 

Blossoms
Baby pumpkin about the size of a baseball.
Kind of looks like a watermelon right now.
There are three pumpkin vines growing. There were four,  until...ahem...Jeremiah decided to pull one out. But we won't talk about that...ahem. 

Seriously, could YOU stay upset with this face???
Here's my sweet corn. I always enjoy watching the stalks grow. I think it's because their growth is so noticeable from day to day.


And last, but not least, is my fennel plant. It was given to me by the same friend who gave me the tomatoes. So happy to have some variety in the garden! 


Have a great day!

Megan





Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The wind of the Spirit


By Amy Carmichael
Excerpt from 'Candles in the darkness'. 

How I rejoice. Yes, now your boat will go out to sea in a new way. We have not to make the Wind or to beseech it to blow. We have nothing to do with the wonder of it. Our one work is to set our sails to catch the least whisper of it. 'Blow, blow O Breath' really only means, 'O Breath, my sails are set; according to the promise of my Lord, fill them now.'
   And what is it to Him if the boat be small or great? All the wind asks for is a sail set to catch that which is ready to fill the merest nothing of us all. The one condition for receiving is obedience; and the one condition for going on is the same. Yield to the impulse to pray, to sing, to speak, to be silent - to be or to do anything. Never stifle the Spirit. Never grieve Him by arguing or disregarding. Quench not the Spirit, vex not the Spirit. All the verbs are gentle. It is as if our God would have us understand that the blessed filling of the Blessed Spirit is a very tender thing, that He is very tender. A very slight dimness on the glass obscures the image. A very little rust on the blade mars its perfection. So with all sensitive things. So with Him and His power to effect through us what He will. If we disregard some quiet inward admonition, then suddenly or gradually (but surely) our sail starts flapping against the mast. We make no headway, and we seek for Him, but there is a sense of absence. And that is pain to the loving heart. 
    But if ever this should be, go back to where you were when you first set your sail. 'To them that obey Him.' Then, oh so quickly, so gladly, the Wind will blow again. He never keeps us waiting, unless indeed we have kept Him long waiting, and then sometimes, as in the Song of Songs (chapter 5, the third wandering), there is a pause between missing Him and welcoming Him again. But may such an experence never be yours. It need never, never be.  

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Faith in His timing



   The other day, after mentioning that I believe God's call on my life is to someday be a wife and mother, someone stated/asked me, "Ohh, so you're on the hunt for a man, huh?!".  Haha! How do you answer that? I think I just chuckled and ended up saying something about believing that God's timing is best. And although I wish I had some more eloquent words to say at the time, I truly meant that statement.

After all these years, I'm still not very good at explaining to people my reasons for not casually entering into a relationship with a man (versus with a purpose) and currently being a stay at home daughter. I can imagine that I have probably been misunderstood on countless occasions. But, I think that could be possibly said about anyone who is following what they believe to be God's calling on their life at the time. That's why we do it for God and not man. I just pray that no matter what people got from their conversations with me, that my words came across humbly. 

I am not on the hunt for a man, EVEN THOUGH I desire an earthly husband very much. I look forward to the day when I can hold his hand and look into his eyes with love and faithfulness. I am no different that any other woman. I desire to one day hold a darling baby in my arms and have a home of my own with a kitchen big enough to bake in all day ;)  
Though these things are on my heart and mind every day, I can't necessarily let them rule my life. 

Yes, everything I do in and out of my home is more than likely preparation for my future home and family, and I will continue to live as such unless God speaks otherwise. Of which, He could, and I must stand prepared for that too. You see, Christ is the One that ultimately satisfies the deepest needs and desires of my heart. He is the One I lean upon for fulfillment, strength and security. He knows my heart even better than I do – because He created me.  He will never fail me.  He will never disappoint me.  And He will always be the most perfect Prince my feminine heart could ever desire.  But, He is not merely a stand-in until my husband-to-be comes along.   I know, beyond a shadow and a doubt, that my future husband will be a wonderful joy and fulfillment in my life. But, I also know my love story with him will never be able to compare to my love story with the King of all kings. Christ, simply put, is my true Prince, my ultimate Bridegroom, and my all in all. 

 I sincerely and humbly believe these years of singleness are a gift to be treasured. Leslie Ludy describes it well in one of her online devotionals: 

Singleness is an incredible opportunity to be fully consecrated in body and spirit to Jesus Christ alone – to be undistracted by any other romance and free to be consumed with Him alone. (see 1 Cor. 7:34)  This is not only an amazing opportunity for our single years, but it is the absolute best way we could ever prepare for marriage.  When Jesus Christ is our all in all, we will never place unhealthy pressure upon our spouse to meet the needs only He can fill.  And if our husband is ever taken from us, we will not lose our confidence, hope or security – because it’s in Jesus Christ. 
I am on a journey. I long to surrender my time as a twenty-two year old single woman to my Lord. I long for all my hopes, dreams and plans to belong to Him because He is worthy of them. I must be willing to give it all up. He gave everything up for me, how could I not be willing to do likewise for Him? It's not easy, but it is a joy and a privilege. I want you to realize though, that I am not expecting God to take away these desires. I just know that if the are not in His will for my life, and all these years of preparation are for something else only known to Him, that He has my heart and I believe He will give me the grace to give them up and step out to do what He has planned for me :) 

Blessings!

In Him,
Megan 

P.S. As an answer to those who have asked a certain question of me many times -  I promise, I really do meet, hang out with (in a group setting), and have friends that are guys! I just try my best to not look at every young man as a potential husband. The Lord will reveal him, once again, in His perfect timing :) 

Monday, June 11, 2012

Africa Bound


       Please keep my dad, Tom Zurowski, and our good friend, Tucker Mcalpin, in your prayers as they take off for South Sudan today! They are excited about their trip and pray that God receives much glory through it. They ask for prayer for their safety, as South Sudan is still a volatile country. Thank you! 



Friday, June 8, 2012

Did you know that the high priest in olden days was just an ordinary man except when he wore his priestly garments? I had thought of Aaron as walking about in some of them, at least, much as a clergyman wears his dog collar. But it wan't so. 
  Our Lord, the beauty of our Lord and His Righteousness - these are our priestly garments. Without that clothing we have no priestly rights, powers or virtues whatsoever. It is just another illustration of 'Without Me ye can do nothing', be nothing too. ~ Amy Carmichael