Musings on Revival....

We have been in our annual fall revival here at Penn View. Rev. Nathan Purdy has been our evangelist. The Lord has definitely laid some very pertinent truths on his heart.
As I muse about some of the truths that he has presented I am convicted, stirred, and driven to gain new ground spiritually.

Musing #1
If we don't have revival, it is because we didn't want it bad enough.
What is the true desire of my heart? Do I really want to see God move in amazing ways? Do I truly want sin and the sin nature to be defeated, or are these just vain words to placate my soul?
Oh, God create a deeper longing....I want to pray and hold on in faith....to travail in the place of prayer....but I can't even do this without your grace. Oh, praise His name I sense Him placing a deeper longing....now may I act upon it.

Musing#2
This work that we are called to do for God...it's not about us...it's not even about our insufficiency...it's all about Him and His sufficiency.
This truth really hit home. How many times do I try to labour supposedly for Him, but trying to do it in my own strength. Then when it gets hard I complain to Him that I am not able to do this work to which He has called me. I ask that He would find another to fill this place. I forget that it is not about me at all or my weakness. He has called and therefore I must trust. He will provide the provisions and strength necessary to continue in this work.

Musing#3
Cleansed from the carnal mind and infilled with His Holy Spirit...this is a must to living a pure life and maintaining a Godly example.
This cleansing and infilling is a definite work of grace, but it is also the catalyst for a love relationship with God.
Is my soul the chamber of constant love and adoration for my God? Does my life have a fragrance of Jesus and the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit? Have I been with the Lover of my Soul recently and allowed Him to bathe my soul afresh and anew with His Spirit?
This work of entire sanctification is not a "I've arrived" sort of situation, but a constant walk with Him. Coming to Him on a regular basis for constant refills. Allowing Him to chip away at my humanity and learning to walk closer and closer to Him.
My heart is pricked and cries out, "Oh, Comforter of my soul, come and bathe my heart afresh and anew. I know not how to ask properly, but please let my life be saturated with You so that every one around me will not comment on how nice she looks, or how conservative she is, but that they will be touched by You. Please let others see You and not me!"

I thank the Lord for His help so far in this revival effort. Oh, that our hearts would  not be satisfied, but continue to long for more of Him. May we not quickly forget what He is trying to do, but may we be diligent to continue on and allow Him to deepen His work among us!

Autumn....love the outdoors!

Trying to "sniff" the flowers!

Enjoying the great outdoors! Those "piggies" are happy too:)

Always looking for a thrill!

Contemplation....

It's Been Awhile!

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted anything. However, seeing as we have been without internet and since I have been in the land of the all day morning sickness, I suppose I have an excuse! Yes, we are going to be blessed with another little bundle of joy May 5. We are very excited! We got to see our lil' one for the first time on Monday. It is so amazing how God creates a life. This lil' one is not even an inch long at this time, and yet his/her heart was already beating strongly. Life was very evident. Truly we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

A Ladies' Tea Cake

Well, if you are like me and you live in a world where laundry always needs to be done, the baby does cry, things get stressful, hubby has a demanding job, and weeds grow in your driveway, and above all this you are trying to keep a good devotional life going, only to be disturbed at least once during your prayer time....then like me you like to get away for a few moments and chat about the silly things of life with a few of your girlfriends.
So this being the case in my life, I had been invited for a ladies' tea and I was supposed to bring the cake. Since I am NOT a cake decorator (and the hostess said the tea was to be fancy), since I DON'T have time to spend hours baking, and since I hope to present something that is tasty, this is what I settled on - Pistachio Cake. Ugh, you might say, but you really aught to try it before you place judgment upon it:)

As you can see from my pictures (I have to do a LOT of editing to make it look pretty), the icing sets quickly so slap it on and don't fret if it is not quite perfect, it still tastes good:) Also, I have found that those pretty little chocolate leaves make you look like a genius even though they really are ridiculously easy:) Just find some leaves from outdoors (please check online to see that they aren't poisonous:). Wash them, coat them with some Crisco, spoon a medium layer of melted chocolate dip on them, chill them in the fridge, and then ever so gently remove them and place on your cake. I just melt about 1/4 cup choc. chips with a tablespoon of Crisco to make my dip.
I also like to use edible flowers as a finishing touch. Cheap and easy. I just soak them in vinegar water to remove nasty lil' bugs, you can then rinse with fresh water, and shake remaining water out of them or pat dry.
So hear is the Pistachio Cake Recipe. You should give it a try:)

(See my cake isn't even on a pretty plate 'cause I was going to walk to the tea. So a cake carrier was much more reasonable, and look you can even see my cake through the icing. So don't be discouraged if your life isn't perfect either. Just enjoy it and focus on what matters most:)

Pistachio Cake
White Cake Mix   1
Instant Pistachio Pudding (4serving)   1
Large Eggs   4
Cooking Oil   1/2cup
Club Soda   1cup

Combine and beat smooth. Place in greased food tube pan. Bake at 350 for about 50minutes. Let stand for about 15minutes and then turn out onto rack to cool. Cool completely before icing.

Pistachio Icing:
Envelope Dessert Topping   1
Mild   1/2cup

Beat until soft peaks form.

Instant Pistachio Pudding Powder (4serving)   1
Milk   1/2cup

Add to dessert topping mixture and beat until smooth. Then apply to cake.