Theodosia Writes

             

A Woman of God and for His Glory

 Last week I started a short series  on  the life  and works of  Anne Steele.  Anne lived in the 1700's and is known as the invalid poet..   due to  her frail and sickly disposition..   Matters grew worse when her fiancé' suddenly drowned on the day of their wedding.  She  became quite reclusive and more invalid. But in her  morose and inward domain of heart  the Lord met her  and she became quite  the writer, penning  many poems that  were later  transposed into hymns, under the name of Theodosia! Sometimes famous hymnists  took phrases to augment their own writing. All of her writings are found here.   A careful perusal will bring forth many titles known as hymns by other   hymnists  from the 1800's, including Angels from the Realm of Glory and All Hail the Power of Jesus Name, to name a few!

I would like to share one  that moves me in my own praise of the Lord!

How lovely how divinely sweet,

Oh, Lord, Thy sacred courts appear!

Fain would my longing passions meet 

The glories of Thy  presence there.

Oh, blest the man, blest their employ

Whom Thine indulgent favors raise

To dwell in those abodes of joy, 

And sing Thy never ceasing praise. 

God is a sun: our brightest day

from His reviving presence flows;

God is a shield through all the way, 

To guard us from surrounding foes.

O Lord of hosts, Thou God of grace,

How blest, divinely blest, is he,

Who trusts Thy love  and seeks Thy face 

and fixes all His hopes on Thee.

Thinking about Christmas Shopping... Some recommendations

   When I received my catalog to Christian books  I started thinking about Christmas shopping   and I thought why not make a few recommendations that I think    would be great for  us  grandmothers to give to our  grands and   families. I don't k now about you  but I have a hard time thinking of something they would like!  

1.  I think one of  my favorite items would be this  book which   I am hearing about at church and  our daughter bought for her  girls.  My Sunday school  teacher would read from it to add  to our  classes and we all  fell in love with it. Even though it is for children it   was cherished by we women in our class as well!

The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the story beneath all the stories in the Bible. At the center of all is a baby, the child upon whom everything will depend. From Noah, to Moses, to the great King David---every story points to Jesus. He is the missing piece to the puzzle---the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, as the story unfolds, children will pick up the clues and piece together   the  true picture of who Jesus is!  $9.99

2.  For younger grand children I highly recommend  this  wonderful Christmas nativity!

Fisher Price Little Nativity

Little hearts will love the Fisher-Price ® Little People ® Nativity Set! Engage your toddler in the joy of celebrating the true meaning of Christmas with their own nativity set, complete with chubby, child-friendly figures and all the key characters that bring to life the story of Baby Jesus' birth.

 At $29.99    I  cannot think of a better    toy for your  toddler  than this  set.  using it to retell the birth of Jesus    and  children love  setting it up and retelling it to themselves, over and over again.  It is just right to  facilitate their understanding   and  they will enjoy playing with it for years to come.

3.  If you struggle about what to get your daughter I know of no other book that moves the heart than this one!

A grace-filled invitation to leave the parched ground of pride, fear, and white-knuckle control behind---and immerse yourself in the depths of God! Poignant and poetic, Voskamp's gentle reflections teach you how to biblically lament loss, be transfigured by pain, intentionally embrace radical gratitude, and abandon yourself to God. Anniversary edition features a new introduction. 240 pages, hardcover from Nelson.  What an offer at$5.00

Most women who  have this book enjoy journalling  about it or  beginning their own list of 1000 gifts  they experience   in their day..  it fosters such a heart of thanksgiving! So I would include a beautiful new journal in your gift!

4.  For the Bible study    person in your family   this is  a wonderful gift..  I am putting it on my wish list!

I love to mark in my Bible. I have one that is all marked up  because as I reread through a passage it helps me to  really remember what I have learned. These pens are marvelous..Pack of 5 Bible study marking kit including, 4 Bible gel highlighters and 1 Pigma Micron pen underliner. Vibrant color smooth gel ink highlighters in pink, blue, yellow, and green with black fine point underlining pen. No bleed through, Bible safe ink.  $7.99  The fine line of the   underliner  is wonderful for writing notes in the margins!

Check out the website.  There are so many other great ideas there..  Family movies on DVD, great  music CD's, wonderful books   including great fiction books. Also,  now they have their gorgeous Christmas cards on sale!  You might get to  get your Christmas shopping done without leaving home!  I think Im going to get a lot of mine done!!

Friday's Fave Five

Hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story!I have been blessed this week!  Let me tell you about it! I am thankful that  I  have  wonderful doctors and health care to  take care of my medical needs. I  admire my ophthalmologist..  a great, caring doctor and  Christian, as well. Unfortunately he will be retiring soon.  But I just got my eye laser treatment to    correct my glaucoma just in time..  and it  was  almost painless, praise the Lord. I had dreaded it so, as a correction I got during my cataract surgery was  hideously painful! I am praying that my eye pressure will fall and stay within the healthy limits he set  at 15  tops.

I, also,  got my mammogram done  for another year. I do dread this one every year, but do try to stay on top of  getting  them  done   exactly  one year apart.  I think that is the part I should play in  staying healthy in that area.  

I love our ninja air fryer  5 in 1  unit.  I think I could use it every night.  Last night I made the best chicken tenders..  they were so juicy and tender..  not dried out at all!    Even though I did over cook the second batch  and  they got up to 185 temp.  The trick for juicy tenders is in the marinade.  I mixed up 1/2 c of mayo,  with  some garlic powder , and a little dijon mustard.  I placed the 9 tenders in the bowl   and  stirred them around coating each one..  Let them sit in it while you get the next step ready.  Toss together 1/2 Panko,  to 1/2 dry bread crumbs,  and some shredded parmesan cheese.  then preheat the fryer.  Coat the tenders in the  crumbs  and place about 4 or 5 in the fry pan.Do not over crowd.  Spray with oil.    Cook at 400  for 4-5 minutes on each side..  or until 165 degrees.  Truly yummy!!!!

This has been such a hectic week of  going out and about to  appointments and  rushing around  to schedules... it feels wonderful to look at the calendar and realize I have nothing til next Monday when things start up again! But the most  serious items were checked off  this week.  Now I have time to   just do some things around the house. Today we purchased  a tight closing tub and  a bag of bird seed.  All this year the bird feeders have been quite away from the house and I couldn't enjoy    seeing the birds.  Lynn isn't that happy because "the birds make a mess!" he  complains!  Well, this fall and winter  it is my turn to  have the feeders  closer to the sunroom window and  placed where it is much easier to fill the feeders in bad weather! I do look forward to our birds!!!!

It seems that  observing the birds  instills in me a much more   creative point of view that  I  ordinarily have. I love to   paint them, and write  poetry in my journal.. So I have hopes of  spending time being  bit more    intentional and doing things  that  feed the heart and soul!

I am also baking a  from scratch pumpkin pie for Lynn.  This is his very favorite and I love the aroma..  

It's a good thing I thought to  get a photo..  Lynn is a pumpkin pie fiend!!  But it is  so  very good..  I used the recipe on the back of the  Libby  pumpkin can  and it is not too sweet, and the consistency is  very custardy!  Yum!!

YUM! Think I'll go light a candle..  I bought a luscious  fall candle today at Home Depot!  FUN!!

All About Home

Hosted by Amber at Follow the Yellow Brick Road.

I love Autumn and  dragging out those  large tubs form the storage room and  pilfering though them for  fall treasures!  

I had not been able to use   my wall hanger   for some years due to a bookcase in this space.  Thankfully, we purged it in favor of  my wonderful multi- music  box..  I love having this vintage   appliance in our living room,  just where I love to listen to my music! So when I found the hanger  I  drew forth all the lengthy   pieces of   gorgeousness and  created this    glorious  arrangement for the wall!  I love the Gingko leaves I  purchased at  Pottery Barn  a few years ago. Their golden leaves are perfection  in fall.

The urn filled with   fall    flowers   goes very nicely with a basket  half full  of  roses from the garden. 

The fireplace   hosts   a more  serious look, as I enjoy  attempting  to  create  an English point of view!

A frisky, black cats    rule   the October  table  

It has been so rainy  the past couple of weeks  our  outdoor decor  is  not very  exciting.  just a few pumpkins and wreathes... Autumn continues to come!  The trees are really beginning to  radiate their fall colors! 

                                                              Let the dance begin!

Wednesday Hodge Podge

1. Do you think intuition is as valuable as rational thinking? Explain why or why not. I have always that that I was very intuitive. Based on my "intuition" we have made many prudent decisions as a couple that panned out for ur good. But now as I am wiser, I believe that what I thought was my intuition was actually the lord leading us as a family.. I know now that it was the small still voice of the Holy Spirit guiding me.

2. In the grand scheme of things I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.

3. Last place you went that felt like 'Grand Central Station'? Have you ever actually been to Grand Central Station (and by Grand Central Station I mean Grand Central Terminal)? I have ridden the train  there but didn't get off the train.  

4. October 6 is National Noodle Day. What's your favorite dish made with noodles and have you made/eaten this dish lately? I almost bought noodles yesterday at the store as I was stocking up  on  some emergency food... but  no, I cannot think of a dish Ive had  lately. I  used to like to make a  simple beef stroganoff

5. A time recently you had to really 'use your noodle'? Elaborate. My old noodle sometimes fails me  at this age..  trying to think of  a word that I know I know  but cannot think of it readily..  Praise God I  eventually do  after some   deep thinking!  Last week while blogging I was  talking about    things I like and  I  was trying to think of the word Jacobean  referring to som fabric.. It took me forever to think of it so I  resorted to the internet and  typed in everything I knew about the  fabric  and architecture. Finally there it was .. It popped up as I was looking up Haddon Hall in England!

6. Insert your own random thought here. This  morning at 8:45 I will check in at   the eye clinic   for  a laser treatment   to  correct some  glaucoma..  I dread it... Ouch!!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hosted byHosted by Sandra over at Dairy of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather 

Monday  rain, 78

Tuesday  rain, 78

Wednesday  rain, 74

Thursday  rain, 70

Friday  rain, 71

Saturday rain, 71

Sunday Partly Cloudy, 74

I hope this week will be like today..  we woke up to a shower but has just been overcast all morning..We do not need any gully washers!

On my mind

I woke up this morning just so pleased that  we  really liked the church e visited yesterday.  The pastor called this morning and we had a lovely chat.  He is starting a study of Hosea next week,  so we will definitely be back!  Ive never studied Hosea before!

On the breakfast plate

Coffee and yogurt

On my reading pile

I am still reading the Debbie Macomber book, White Lace and Promises.  I am pretty sure Ive read it before... but it is good and  I am reading it leisurely to make it last!

On my tv

!

Our area is  running Downton Abbey again 9on Saturday nights which I enjoyed.. otherwise I have gotten into the habit of watching the very vintage What's My Line  around bedtime.. I catch a couple   episodes and   turn in.. It  makes me happy. I remember  Sunday nights as a child and teen wanting to watch it more  but it  came on at 10pm and as a teen I had to be in bed.  But it was comforting to go to sleep with it playing in the den  which was near my room!

Interesting youtube vlog I saw this week

Time to   plan  carefully.. but please do not hoard.

also,

Enjoy!

On the menu this week

Monday -Sausage, egg,  and veggie   bake which shredded cheese

Tuesday -  left over  Garlic chicken    with rice  from  the restaurant 

Wednesday -  sandwiches and salad

Thursday-  dinner out

Friday -  grilled steak and  grilled Brussel sprouts  

From the camera:

I'm sharing   the dining room because  I plan  to  cha age it up today!

Looking around the house

Downstairs looking  good,  but upstairs is another  thing..  need to do a bit including a bit more  purging!

On my to-do list

• Changing the sheets on the beds
•  pack away summer clothing
• purge clothing that is too large  and accessories that   I  never use
• redo the dining room decor
• grocery shop 
• Eye laser treatment  to correct  some glaucoma (YIKES)  (I had some of this  at the time I had my cataract surgery and it  hurt like  hi jinx)
• next day I have my mammogram..  ok  great week ahead!
• Intercessors for America
• Intermittent fasting  all week.. and   trying live much more intentionally
• Bible Study ..  book of Ephesians   in the NT  and  Hosea in the O

Decluttering

• clothing   that is too large  for me now..   several slacks, shirts,  a couple of blouses,   a couple of courses, I never use,   a couple of sweaters and  some shoes.

• To relax this week 
• reading,  Bible Study,   vlogs,   quiet music like the YouTube  above

Prayer and devotional

Crisis in Afghanistan and the Middle East, 
influx of illegals into our nation, crisis in Haiti
everywhere that persecution is taking place...
Pray for the upcoming  elections...  Pray for godly  leaders who   really
 care about their constituents and  govern  fairly and  according to our 

Constitution!  
Our government leaders to seek God, and for the fear of the Lord to

 spread among all people.
For healing of the sick,
 salvation of the lost,
 deliverance for the hurting,
the supply, food, and building shortage problem: may it not  become

 a huge crisis  
Churches to arise and pastors to  preach    according to our times and

 this days.. very vital!
protect our children from the ungodly teachings and protect them

 from ungodly people who wish them harm for their own purposes. 

Especially for  people to turn or  return to God.   Only He can

 save..  There is no other way to God except through the shed blood 

of His son! I cannot imagine negotiating these days  without knowing

 that  God has my back.  Otherwise, I would be a basket case. He is in 

control ;even  the  terrible things He is allowing for his own purposes

 and it may be for the judgement of America. A nation cannot kill 63

 million babies and think God doesn't notice and care.  His judgement

  may be  right around the corner,  but His people  will go through it 

 in the palm of His hand. Please  turn to God through Jesus Christ.  

Theodosia Writes

             

   A Woman of God   and for His Glory

 I'd like to introduce you to  a woman of great faith and  a heart of  the deep things of God, Anne Steele. Anne was born in 1717 in Broughton, Hampshire, England. Because of her love for the Lord, she wrote many poems to Him... I suppose in her times of prayer and worship.   Her  highly   honed  skills   led her to become a hymn writer and an essayist.   I love her pen name..  so refined and elegant sounding ..   she wrote under the name of Theodosia which means giver of God.... and she certainly did!A further study of her life  reveals  the following:

'Her father was a timber merchant, and at the same time officiated as the lay pastor of the Baptist Society at Broughton. Her mother died when she was 3. At the age of 19 she became an invalid after injuring her hip. At the age of 21 she was engaged to be married but her fiance drowned the day of the wedding. On the occasion of his death she wrote the hymn ""When I survey life's varied scenes." After the death of her fiance she assisted her father with his ministry and remained single. Despite her sufferings she maintained a cheerful attitude. She published a book of poetry Poems on subjects chiefly devotional in 1760 under the pseudonym "Theodosia." The remaining works were published after her death, they include 144 hymns, 34 metrical psalms, and about 50 poems on metrical subjects.'

Can't you just see the suffering and sadness in her eyes...  what a  tragic  life, yet her  heart  remained full of  the glory of God and love for her savior, Jesus!

One of my favorite  of her hymns  goes like this!

1 And can my heart aspire so high

To say—My Father, God?

Lord, at Thy feet, I fain would lie,

And learn to kiss the rod.

2 I would submit to all Thy will,

For thou art good and wise;

Let each rebellious thought be still,

Nor one faint murmur rise.

3 Thy love can cheer the darkest gloom,

And bid me wait serene,

Till hopes and joys immortal bloom,

And brighten all the scene.

4 My Father, God, permit my heart

To plead her humble claim,

And ask the bliss those words impart,

In my Redeemer's name.

When I contemplate these words my heart swells within me, and I  turn to prayer  that I may be so humble and so content in the Father's love and presence!.. 

  Each week   for  a while I plan to share  another  hymn  or writing from Anne.. I hope it will bless you and  give you peace in these  troubling times!