Mentionworthy Monday

Linkable

Creating A Go-To SPIRITUAL Schedule - Emily Hatfield shares some great tips for single and married ladies alike in this podcast episode. She reminds us that while we may have many other important duties, our spiritual nourishment should always be our focus. To keep our priorities in order, we need a focused yet flexible schedule-fitted to our specific needs of course. Emily shares some things that work for her and will hopefully work for you as well.

The Top 10 Things Moms Do at Target - If you are a mom, you will appreciate this. If you are not yet a mom, read this anyway-you'll still laugh because we know you've seen us doing some of these very things...but beware if you choose to laugh...you might be a mom one day too.

7 Things You Didn't Know About The Wizard of Oz - I remember being terrified of this movie as a child. That wicked witch of the west and her flying monkeys were just a little too much for me. I am happy to report that while I might sometimes pick the moments that her face fills the screen to refill the drinks or popcorn bowl, I have a much greater appreciation for this classic now.

Pinable

3 FREE Scripture Coloring Pages

Whether you are a mom of little ones, a classroom teacher or a Bible class teacher these cute coloring pages would be welcomed additions to your curriculum.

Quotable

"We have to get back to the Bible. The Doctor has the medicine, but the patients won't take it because it may produce side effects that make me deny myself of things that I want."

- BJ Clarke

(Healthy) Banana Cinnamon Pancakes

   This recipe is easy and it tastes great so it finds its way onto our table regularly. I love it also for its versatility. I made these the other day and also included some nutmeg and ginger. I haven't tried adding fruit to them yet but I would dare say you could do that as well. I am a huge fan of sweet potato pancakes (thank you Cracker Barrel), but I have yet to find the perfect recipe. Perhaps this one could be adapted...if so you'll see a slightly different version of this recipe coming soon!

10 Classics on My Reading List

                  It’s probably my favorite room; a white comforter covers the bed in its center, a mountain of pillows line up against the headboard, nightstands supporting burlap-shaded lamps on either side.  Above hangs distressed black picture frames, displaying frozen moments from our wedding day with the words uttered from Ruth to her mother-in-law, Naomi (Ruth 1:16) hanging in the center. An antique white dresser faces opposite that inviting bed, holding a preserved bouquet of once white lilies. On the two walls running parallel to the nightstands hang shelves filled with books. Books that have transported me to far off places. I have travelled from the mountains of Montana, to the hallowed halls of Hogwarts, to Wisconsin’s big woods, and even to Forks, Washington.  They have allowed me to visit the mansion of Manderley, the New Jersey home of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, and the town of River Heights. Then there are the books that wait to take me on a magical journey. They rest on one of those nightstands. To many they might lend to the idea of clutter or disarray, but to me this cluster of books is but a mountain for to climb. Among this pile rests the words from the creator of Duck Commander, the recollections of a child actor, and the story of a dog at ground zero. There is no particular order to their arrangement. It is a mismatch of fiction and nonfiction-with a few biographies in between, but there is something missing from this stack. Classics. I have read classics. I’ve listened to Kate Chopin describe the summer getaway place of Isle. I’ve imagined the grandeur of the parties thrown in West Egg, Long Island. I’ve longed to visit the Coleman home in the beautifully described Ozark Mountains, but I have never looked between the cover of Panther in the Sky. I can only assume the content of War and Peace is true to its title. There are many classics I’ve simply never read. That’s right I’m admitting it…there are classics I have never read. Of course, I plan to change that starting with these ten.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Arthur Conan Doyle

So there you have it-ten classics on my reading list. What do you think? Have you read these? Would you recommend them? What classics are on your TBR list?

A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.

-Italo Calvino

Eve-A Woman of Many Names

 The importance of the role of women in God’s Word cannot be overestimated.

-Cindy Colley

                  The rise and fall of nations can often be traced by studying the rise and fall of womanhood. Why you might ask? The moral fiber of a nation is determined primarily by women. A nation can maintain a moral strength no greater than the homes that make it up, and the home usually rises no higher than the ideals of the woman in it. Equipped with this knowledge, we realize that a heavy responsibility has been placed upon our shoulders-one we cannot afford to take lightly. With this in mind, I have embarked upon a study of women of the Bible. I hope to gain wisdom from a prayerful and careful examination of their troubles and trials along with their victories and virtues. Here is where I hope to share with you the valuable lessons I learn-lessons that can be applied to our daily lives. If we so allow, many of these women will inspire us to greater faith and a closer relationship with God.

 

                  The mother of all living. The first woman. The first to sin. Eve is described in many ways, but did you know that Eve was actually named three times? First in Genesis 2:23, she was called woman by Adam. Then both Eve and her husband are called Adam (Gen. 5:2). This speaks volumes to the marriage relationship. God’s design for the husband-wife relationship is to be one, an unbreakable union. God made them one flesh and he game them one name. Finally, Adam gave the name Eve, because she was the mother of all living (Gen. 3:20); a name describing her role and function in life.

                  Eve was the first tempted by Satan to sin. Sometimes I believe we are too quick to blame Eve for man’s fall, but we would do well to remember that Eve’s adversary is still ours today and we often fall to the same deception. We should also take note that by giving in to temptation, Eve allowed Satan to use her. “She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Gen. 3:6). Satan might never have been able to succeed in getting Adam to sin, had he not used Eve. 1 Timothy 2:14, tells us unlike Eve, Adam was not deceived. Adam took of the fruit simply because his wife did. Perhaps Eve was deceived into thinking God simply didn’t mean what he said. Much in the same way that some in the church today say, “Yes, it says that but that only applied to that time period.” Regardless, Adam’s actions are a testament to the great influence we have on our husbands. Eve allowed herself to become a stumbling block. She was created to be a helper and instead became a hinderer.

                  If you were to only read through Genesis 3, it would seem there was no happy ending for Eve, but if you read the next chapter you will find evidence that Eve once again allowed God to rule her life. Although Adam and Eve were forgiven, they still had to suffer the consequences of their sin. Fellowship with God was restored, but they were not restored to their position in Eden. Eve could have spent her life grieving past mistakes, but she didn’t. She focused on the present blessings God had bestowed upon her (Gen. 4:1, 25) and the hope we have in the future. 

Sources: Women of the Genesis. Cindy Colley.

Women of the Old Testament. Peggy Hall