Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Jan, of Jan and Tom's Place, has set aside Wednesday as Come to Jesus Day. I have Bible Study every Wednesday so am fed the Truth of Jesus each Wednesday anyway, but today I was literally fed as we celebrated the Feast of Weeks!
The Jewish feasts have a deep spiritual meaning to the Christian as well. In each one of these feasts, Christians can see one of the ministries of Jesus Christ in the earth. The feasts are a type or a symbol of the ministry of Jesus on earth. Christ’s ministry on earth while He was a man was a fulfillment of many Old Testament promises. On the feast of Pentecost (or Weeks – Shavout), Jesus Christ gave the promised Holy Spirit to His disciples who were waiting in an upper room in Jerusalem. With the outpouring of the Holy Spirit came the blessing of the “firstfruits” – a grain offering given 50 days after Passover. Pentecost was a fulfillment of the “former rain” (the Holy Spirit) which brought the first fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost (Shavuot) is a biblical memorial day given to the people of God as a special day for worship. From the New Testament perspective, it is (among other things) a day to celebrate that first "outpouring" of the Holy Spirit upon the church that John the Baptist had predicted (Matthew 3:11). This first happened within the Jewish community. Sometime later, a similar event occurred at the house of Cornelius, an Italian family, when the Gentiles experienced a phenomenal "outpouring" (acts 10:45). Today we have this continuing promise of God through the Apostle Peter, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39). This means it is available to you also!
The word Pentecost is found only in the New Testament (Acts 2:1). It is identified in the Old Testament as the "Feast of Weeks" (exodus 34:22) and the "Feast of Harvest" (Exodus 23:!6). Pentecost, a Greek word meaning fiftieth, signifies that it occurred fifty days after the high priest offered to God the firstfruits of the barley harvest (Leviticus 23:10,11). Initially, this feast (as well as the other two great annual feasts, Passover and Tabernacles) was an agricultural festival.
Pentecost embodied many spiritual and prophetic demonstrations about the work and ministry of the coming Messiah. In fact, the entire life of our Lord was foreshadowed by a precisely timed series of events. The coming of the Holy Spirit is no exception. After the ascension of Jesus (Yahshua) to the right hand of God and His becoming our High Priest, the next great event was the baptism in the Holy Spirit(Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). It is not surprising, therefore, that the writer of the book of Acts informs us that this event occurred "when the day of Pentecost had fully come...."
The complete saturation of believers with the Holy Spirit bestows many supernatural gifts and enablements for declaring the Good News with power and effectiveness (Acts 1:8). This is reasonable, for if the work of God could be accomplished through human abilities, the "enduement (or clothing upon) with power from on high" would be rendered unnecessary and meaningless.
Some of the spiritual abilities with which the church was endowed are these: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, and speaking with tongues, both heavenly language and foreign languages of men (1 Corinthians 12; 1 Corinthians 13:1). You will discover that gifts to the ministry are included in this equipping. (Ephesians 4:8,11).
Simply stated, this Holy Spirit baptism was for the equipping of those who would be used of God with whatever they needed, on any occasion and under any circumstances, to be an adequate witness and to work the works of God (John 14:12).
Today, more than ever, we must have these spiritual talents working in us so that the gospel of the kingdom may be published into all the world for a witness before the end comes (Matthew 24:14). The fact that Pentecost is also identified as the Feast of Harvest gives us some spiritual insight concerning the harvest of souls that God desires to be reaped from the earth. The Bible teaches that Jesus was the Son of man who came to sow good seed--the word of God (Luke 8:5-11). The church is the reaper sent forth for harvesting (John 4:38; Matthew 9:38). Through Spirit-filled witnessing, the harvest of earth will be reaped. It is for this reason that Jesus made the declaration "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me...unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The people of God can never be effective and productive in this harvest without an abundant anointing or baptism of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost symbolizes ANOINTING FOR THE HARVEST. A yearly observance of this biblical memorial day by the church serves to remind us of our total dependence upon the Holy Spirit to give us the guidance and anointing we must have for this spiritual harvest of earth. The apostle Peter referred to it as a "time of refreshing."
Our Ageless Bible study has been studying the empowerment of the Holy Spirit without which we are unable to do our Kingdom work in sowing seed, spiritual healing, or pushing back the gates of hell. We celebrated the "First Fruit"(Our wonderful Holy Spirit) of the harvest today.

I am Thrilled with my First Award!

Jan, from Jan and Tom's Place has selected me for the Arte y Pico Award! This is so thrilling to me!

Jan is such an amazing new friend and blogger. Her imaginative and innovative ideas for corporating interaction inspires many, especially myself. I have enjoyed the benefits of many worldwide visits because of linking in to her endeavors. Today for example I am joining her Come to Jesus meme. Besides her leadership in incorporating posts she has personally helped me understand many of the integral parts of blogging such as creating active links. She is such a sweetheart, and a very special friend!

I understand that I am to choose five bloggers deserving
of this award, based on their creativity, design,
interesting material and contributions to the blogging community.
I also understand the guidelines for giving and
receiving this award are as follows:

1. Pick 5 blogs that you feel are deserving of the award

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also
a link to his/her blog to be visited.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name
of the link to the blog that gave it to him/her.

4. The award winner and the one who has given the prize has
to show the link of "Arte y Pico" so that everyone
knows the origin of this award.

5. Show these rules on the award page.

So how do I go about picking just 5 out of so many amazing blogs? I wish I could give the award to all of you!!
It’s been fun getting to know all of you nice people!
However...if it needs to be only 5...then it will be only 5.

The 5 Blog-People that I’ve chosen to receive this award are:

1. Kimberly, at Kimberly's Cup
I feel like such a kindred spirit to Kimberly, each and everytime I visit her blog! She is one very talented lady!She inspires me with her topics and the posts are lovely and beautifully written.

2. Kelli, at There is No Place Like Home. Kelli's site was one of the first I discovered as a blogger. Her creative homemaking posts inspire us all. Her Show and Tell Friday meme was one of the first interactions I ever undertook when I started blogging.

3.Marie, at A Year at Oak Cottage. Marie's blog is in a word amazing! I love how she incorporates cooking into every post. It's no wonder, as a professional cook, her recipes and photos dazzle the palatte. How she incorporates them into every story is engaging and each visit is a joy to the senses.

4. Karen, at Sweet Necessi-teas. If you're into celebrating tea time, you have to visit Karen's blog. So much inspiration there.The beauty and sweet sentiments are a complete joy!

5. Steph, at Curlew Country because I am such an Anglophile. I love all things British and her blog far takes me away to Staffordshire, England. My spirit soars over her fabulous graphics and merry prose.
I am truly honored to have received this award, Jan! Thank you again!

God bless you!
Carolyn

Did We Ever do Tea Today!

Jan, over at Jan and Tom's Place had this wonderful idea to host a tea party today, which just happened to be my birthday. Of course, if you know me, I cannot turn down an opportunity to party with tea!! Finally, I have gotten around to being able to share my tea with you all.

What an amazing day! I was up bright and early assembling and thank goodness because it took all of the 4 hours I set aside and couldn't have made it without Amanda!The garden party was moved into the house late yesterday when the humidity reached record highs and I just wanted the day to be comfortable and lovely. So decorating the house with flowers was my first priority!Of course, I wanted to bring the hydrangea bush inside!
I would have loved some wisteria, but if not that I must have lilac!

The tablescape was my next really big mission. To create a garden attitude: I was really pleased with my Ganache and how it turned out! It was so easy, and I just never have done cakes from scratch but this one was fantastic!I got up early this morning to get the lemon squares done, but Amanda had picked gallons of blueberries over the weekend and so she made the most delectable blueberry scones with lemon glase'.The rest of the morning was spent assembling:tea savories,
And then my guests started to arrive! First my Aunt Virginia and Mother came along with Amanda's Mother in law, Jan. Here mom is pointing out to Jan the importance of crooking your little finger when you hold your tea cup!Kitty, Dottie, and Gerri rounded out the guest list. Even with eyes closed, I knew this event was going to be a success. One can just tell. When there is tea, it just can't lose! Of course, I was almost too excited for tea, and my beverage of choice today was pink lemonade.During our repast we shared about our "bliss'_what makes us truly happy and defines us as individuals blessed of God!
Amanda shared about her bliss of finally finishing college and preparing to move on into married life together, probably in Boston. Mother and Jan shared about how blessed they are in family, children and blessings of the Lord. Each and everyone shared about the wonderful gifts that God had bestowed on them one way or another.Tea parties are like that though, aren't they? They bring out the best in everyone and everything! I can think of no better way to celebrate my 58th birthday spent blissfully with precious family and wonderful friends!

Bluebirds!

My friend, Dottie, has a keen interest in bluebirding. She has actually developed a bluebird trail in her neighborhood. Nearly a dozen homes in her area now have Peterson bluebird houses and she will be monitoring the nesting weekly. Dottie so kindly has made me an "honorary" bluebird trail participant, too, even though I live several miles away. Dottie, her brother, and special "babies", Heather and Holly were just here to install my Peterson birdhouse!There are very definite rules one must follow when erecting a bluebird house, mainly regarding protecting them from predators. I have seen bluebirds here in the yard so my chances are good to have some nesting soon. Dottie says bluebirds are about to do their third nesting for this season. She is such a great friend to be looking out for me and helping me forge ahead in this new endeavor. I pray I will be able to keep the momentum going as I develop this new interest.It is such a worthy goal to do everything in our power to grow the bluebird population.

Lovely Monday

I have such a blessed life. I really do! My husband is wonderful- so helpful and loving. My Daughter and Son-in-law are utterly amazing- talented,good looking, God loving Christians,both my parents are living and doing well now. My home is full of peace and love, and the good Lord provides for all my needs! I am so thankful. I have wonderful friends who really honor me in such amazing ways. So thoughtful and considerate, and I am encouraged every step of the way.
This morning I got to have a splendid visit by my Mother and cousin, Jane, whom I'm really just now getting to know, even though we have lived in the same city for years, sad to say, but we are making up for lost time now and I am so happy to count her as dear friend.
Then this afternoon, I have been busy preparing goodies for tomorrow's tea!
The Chocolate cake is cooling!. I never made one from scratch before. The ganache is next on my list. The asparagus marinade is in the fridge! The sandwich spreads are finished, and I've gotten all the ingredients ready for the lime salad. Alas, the madeleine pan has not turned up so it will be lemon squares in their place. I like those better anyway!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Many thanks to The Simple Woman for giving us this opportunity to share in this journal. For more daybooks or to join in visit Peggy.

For Today

Outside my Window...all is very quiet outside my window. There is hardly any traffic and the birds are all sleeping in. The sun is up and the sky is clear.

I am thinking...that I hope the humidity has broken and it will be a pleasant weather week.

I am thankful for.... my dear husband who treats me so very well. He is the most thoughtful man I could ever imagine. Here he comes now with my first brew cup of coffee.

From the kitchen...as soon as I finish my daybook, I am off to the kitchen to make some cherry scones to have this morning. A dear friend and cousin, Jane, is coming over this morning to meet with me and my mom to chat over coffee and revel in the afterglow of the family reunion we had last week.

I am creating... sevral culinary delights this afternoon. I am baking the chocolate ganache cake for my tea tomorrow. Now that is something I've never done before.

I am going...to be mixing up all the spreads, and marinating the asparagus this afternoon in preparation for my Blissful Tea tomorrow. I, also, need to find my madeleine pan!

I am wearing... my fluffy white terry robe. I just love it because it is so soft and cosy!

I am reading...up on Pentecost and the Feast of Weeks as my Wednesday morning Bible Study is celebrating it this Wednesday. We are having a harvest luncheon to commemorate the "first fruits" the coming of the Holy Spirit- for without the Holy Spirit we could do nothing in God's Kingdom.I am planning on taking strawberry salad with poppyseed dressing...just like Panera's!YUM!

I am hoping...for a very pleasant day tomorrow so we can actually have the tea outside. If not we'll move it into the sunroom...but it is a garden party, after all.
I am hearing... the back door just shut as my dear husband is heading for work. The air conditioner is blowing overhead, and the ceiling fan is whirring.

Around the house...I need to dust the furniture today and do a final pick up around the house to get ready for company tomorrow. Thankfully the big chores have already been accomplished!

One of my favorite things...is to plan an event like this tea. I love every part of the planning as much as the tea itself. It was so much fun going shopping for a few extras at the consignment shop. The menu planning, decorating, and food prep, all go together to make for one very exciting experience for me.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...since this is my birthday week, my dear husband is taking Thursday and Friday off and is taking me to a Bed and Breakfast up near where Amanda and Joshua live. We will be staying at the Oaks Victorian Inn and they will meet us for dinner to celebrate one night.


Here is a picture I thought I'd share with you...This is the Inn where we will be staying and I'm sure I'll be schmoozing on this veranda all day come Thursday! I better hie myself to Barnes and Noble to find the perfect book. Any suggestions! Really, I need suggestions!

Tea Party Menu

Tea party Menu


First Course:

Luscious Lime Salad Ham Aspagus roll-ups Dipping Strawberries

Savories:
Smoked Turkey Sandwiches with Apricot Mayonnaise

Smoked Turkey and Jarlsburg Crescents with Herbed Mayonnaise

Cucumber Sandwiches Cucumber Cantaloupe Bites

Sweets:

Lemon Squares Blueberry Scones Chocolate Ganache Cake

Lemon Mint Iced tea Pink Lemonade Assorted Brewed Teas