Ambition

"I am content to fill a little space if God be glorified."
--Susanna Wesley

My own heart rarely displays such humility. What about yours? Isn't the proclamation of God's glory a more worthy ambition than any? And wouldn't it be absurd to set your sights on a lesser goal? "Filling a little space" no longer seems second-rate if you can trust the Lord to work through it.

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A short time in obscurity will be forgotten in the splendor of Heaven, where Christ's elect "will see His face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever." (Revelation 22) To reign with Christ-- that's well worth any "little space" He gives me in this life.

Sweet Book-finding Site

So. If you're looking for textbooks this summer, as many of us are (argh), you absolutely MUST check out BigWords.com. I have a link in the sidebar now, too. :) This website is:
*Easy to use
*Very comprehensive
*Hilarious to boot

You will find every book you need, and you will find them cheap.
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Happy Summer Things

Five summery things that just make me glad to be alive.

1. Fresh fruit. Blueberries, peaches, watermelon, raspberries, apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew, wineberries. (A blueberry glace tart is in the works for tonight...)

2. Long evening walks. Down to the creek for getting wet and muddy, or around the block for "exercise" (actually to find wineberries and tease at the yip-yappy dogs on Loop Road).

3. No school unless I want to. And thesis reading doesn't count. (I should probably be arrested for managing to get college credit for The Wind in the Willows.)

4. Picnics and hikes. One good thing about living in the country is that you can even have a picnic on your porch and feel outdoorsy.

5. The whole world ahead of me, but not much to worry about right now. The future always looks rosier during summer vacation (but wait till the school bills start to roll in...).

This has been an exercise in gratitude, and I think it worked. :)

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Take Refuge in the Mighty Fortress

One of my favorite hymns...three cheers for Martin Luther. And three more for whoever translated this into English! Its truths are so refreshing in times of trial or discouragement.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

Scones Save the Day

Scones often save MY day, anyway. Especially British scones, because they require no fancy-pants ingredients. They aren't packed with chocolate chips or extra grease; they're light and simple. You can have them in and out of the oven in half an hour or less. And they are classy without being snooty. . .something I aim for myself, with occasional success. :)

Anyway, these also have no egg, which is perfect for a) cheapskate college students, and b) those allergic to eggs. I end up making these a lot at school, though I usually serve scrambled eggs on the side, which sort of defeats the second purpose. If you ever have to make an eggless breakfast, though, keep these in mind! They're very good with butter, jam, and cheese.
If you don't want to use the wheat germ, just replace it with flour. But we like it. :) If you do not have cream of tartar on hand, as most people don't, you can substitute two teaspoons of baking powder for the entire cream of tartar- baking soda combination.

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BRITISH SCONES

1 3/4 c. unbleached white flour
1/4 c. wheat germ
1 t. cream of tartar
1/2 t. baking soda
1 pinch salt
1/4 c. cold butter
3 T. sugar
1/2 c. milk

1. Preheat oven to 425 and grease baking stone or cookie sheet.
2. Stir together first five ingredients.
3. Cut in butter till crumbly.
4. Stir in sugar and enough milk to make a soft dough. I usually have to add a couple tablespoons of milk for it all to come together.
5. Turn onto floured surface and knead lightly.
6. Roll out to 1/2 inch thickness (or thicker if you prefer); cut into rounds and place on prepared baking stone.
7Bake for 10 minutes, until golden. Cool slightly on wire rack before serving.
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