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Jan. 2, 2009
The Metzger Family New Years 2009 Newsletter!
I just completed our annual, although somewhat late, family newsletter! Yippee! Usually we do a Christmas newsletter, complete with a family picture that was taken professionally. However, this year I was hugely (and I mean HUGELY-no-way-that-I'm-having-my-picture-taken) pregnant AND we didn't receive our 8th little blessing of Judah Michael until the day after Christmas. Sooooo....the next best thing is a New Years newsletter. Hope ya enjoy catching up on our crew! CLICK HERE TO VIEW!
~ Lisa
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Jan. 2, 2009
Judah Michael Metzger Photos
Jan. 2, 2009
Walk Through Bethlehem - Metzger Photos
Jan. 2, 2009
Free Books - 50 Places to Find Free Books Online
Free books can be found everywhere--if you know where to look. This list shows you 50 places to find free books online. Offerings include free fiction and nonfiction books, free audio books, free reference books and free textbooks.
Read the rest HERE!
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Dec. 30, 2008
Photos of Judah Michael Metzger!
Judah Michael Metzger
(Name Meaning: Thankful Praise/ Who Is Like God)
December 26th, 4:35 A.M.
Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville, NC
8 lbs. 6 oz. 21 inches long
A successful VBAC, just as Mommy prayed for, which started when my water broke at 7:00 am on Christmas morning! What a precious little man!
Thank you, Jesus!
Why did you choose the name Judah?
"This time let me gratefully praise (odeh) God! Therefore she called his name Judah." Genesis 29:35
Judah means praise. The root word " Hodeh" means thanksgiving as well as praise and it is used in colloquial Hebrew today. (i.e. todah meaning thank you). So the first characteristic I found in the name Judah is the idea of praising God and a sense of gratefulness for being given perhaps more than one deserves. The words Jew and Judaism are derived from this name. The 4th of Jacob’s son’s was Judah - Judah is our 4th son!!
"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a scholar from among his descendents." Genesis 49:10
So far we see that the name Judah signified praise, thanksgiving, acknowledgement, and kingship. But there was more to learn about this powerful name. At the end of the book of Deuteronomy, Moses blessed each of the twelve tribes. His blessing for Judah is as follows:
"This is for Judah, listen God to the voice of Judah, and to his people you should bring him. His hands will fight for him and you shall help him against his foes."
Deuteronomy 33:7
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Dec. 26, 2008
Judah Michael Metzger Joins our Family!
A quick update to let y'all know that Judah Michael Metzger was born at Presbyterian Hospital in Huntersville this morning (December 26th) at 4:35 AM by VBAC (no repeat c-section!) after my water broke on Christmas Day at 7:00 AM. He is 8 lbs. 6 oz. and 21 inches long...our biggest baby yet. He looks like Julia and has a head-full of blonde, curly hair (go figure - ha)! He did have a knot in his cord and it was all twisted and wrapped around him, but he didn't have any complicationos! He also turned from his (very painful for Mommy) sunny-side-up position shortly before delivery!!
His siblings all adore him and Ellie keeps saying, "Ba ba Jejus" (Baby Jesus) when she points to him. :)
Thanks to all who prayed for the delivery to go smoothly. It went just as we had prayed it would. Thank you, Jesus!
Love,
Lisa
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Dec. 24, 2008
Easy Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
This is the BEST sweet potato casserole I've EVER had! It got rave reviews on Thanksgiving from every single person. The kids are begging me to make it again tomorrow, which I will. It can be made in larger portions a day ahead, covered in foil or Saran wrap and cooked the next day. :)
Lisa
Easy Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes
- .
- Topping
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
PREPARATION:
Beat eggs, granulated sugar, and 3/4 cup butter. Add milk and vanilla. Combine with the mashed sweet potatoes; spoon into a greased 2-quart casserole. Combine brown sugar, flour, 2 tablespoons softened butter, and pecans, mixing until crumbly; sprinkle over sweet potatoes. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes.
Serves 6.
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Dec. 23, 2008
BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO YOU! The Sheep and Their Shepherd
Luke 2: 8-11, "And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were sore afraid. And the angel of the Lord said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you are born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."
Dear friend, I still have to send to you Part 5, in our series of Home Destroyers. However, it is Christmas week and therefore I thought I would send you a Christmas devotion this time. Instead of writing it myself, I have asked my sister, Kate, to write it for you. Kate and I are both familiar with sheep. Our father, Ivan Bowen, designed the way shearing is done across the world and he was the fastest shearer in the world in his prime. He passed away at nearly 92 years of age this last January. Kate also shepherded a flock of sheep when she lived up in the Caribou of Canada. She has a special love for sheep. May you be blessed by her writing...
I would love to share a couple of thoughts that came to me as I pondered again the Christmas story.
God Chooses the Poor and Despised!
The Palestinian shepherds in Bible days were despised by society. They were not allowed to give testimony in a court of law as they were considered unreliable. Doesn't it astonish you that God chose the despised members of society, those with unreliable testimony, to be witnesses of the most important message of all time? He entrusted them with a message that was foretold by prophets hundreds of years before and would change the course of history. If it was me, I would make sure this message was given to the most influential, reliable men of the nation to ensure it was accurately broadcast world-wide. Yet, how God is this! His ways are greater than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8)
I believe these ancient shepherds were good shepherds. I was a shepherdess in Northern British Columbia, Canada for a time, and as I worked with the flock, I experienced something of the heart of the shepherd. The sheep pulled at my heartstrings. I believe these shepherds would have had tender hearts.
They would also have been tough physically, braving the elements. They were watchmen, always on the lookout for predators, or the enemy that would attack the flock. Remember how David contended with the lion and the bear? In fact, a shepherd never rests until the entire flock is safe in the fold, especially at night. "There were ninety and nine that safely lay in the shelter of the fold, but one was out on the hills away, far from the gates of the fold..." This old hymn speaks of the shepherd going out to look for the one astray. I had to do this many times in my shepherding days.
These ancient shepherds were courageous, too, willing to lay down their lives for the sheep. And, ultimately, they were a living illustration of the Great Shepherd of the Sheep. God saw beyond what society perceived these shepherds to be, and saw their tender, courageous hearts.
God Chooses the Sheep!
The other point that hit me is that not only were the shepherds there when the angels appeared, but who else? The sheep! The shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night. As we fast forward two thousand years later, we peer back into this divine hallowed moment in history and see ourselves represented through the sheep. Again, how God is this! He does not make mistakes. What does God liken us to in the Bible? Sheep! It is one of the recurring themes throughout Scripture--the shepherd and his sheep. On looking through one of Promise's (my six year old) Bible story books, this same passage was illustrated with bright lights beaming on the shepherds. But, I was fascinated to see that the illustrator had perceptively drawn the cute little sheep with their heads looking up at this light also!
All we like sheep! They go astray, wandering off unaware of the dangers from under the shepherd's care. They get dirty; they're stubborn, often stupid--although not dumb as is the popular belief. They're vulnerable and need constant attention. In fact, the flock cannot survive without the shepherd. Sound familiar! In spite of this, the sheep are entirely loveable.
Today, as 21st century sheep of His flock, we are witnesses to and of this amazing proclamation that the savior of the world is born and has come. In the business of this season, let us remind ourselves that we carry this great proclamation wherever we go-in our homes, into the city streets, into the stores, on the road, as we go out and come in. Whatever we are doing, this proclamation is with us. And remember, it is backed by a multitudinous heavenly choir! It is the message of hope in these troubled times.
Truly He is the king, worthy of proclamation!
Kate Marchiniak
Can I add some more thoughts that came to me this morning?
Jesus Wants His Sheep around Him
After the amazing experience of seeing the multitude of angels praising God, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem and see the Savior who had been born! Did they go alone? Or did they take their sheep with them? I am sure the sheep went too. The shepherds would not have left the sheep, vulnerable and alone, to be attacked by animals. In the Middle East the sheep always follow the shepherd as he leads them.
Nativity scenes often show one or two sheep, but there would actually have been many sheep around Jesus. Remember, it wasn't only one shepherd, but number of shepherds, each with their own flock.
As the sheep surrounded Him at His birth, Jesus still wants His sheep around Him. He wants them to be close enough to Him in order to hear His voice as He speaks to them.
Shepherds Lead their Sheep
Just as the Bethlehem shepherds led their sheep to Jesus, so as a mother shepherdess, we should also lead our flock to Jesus. This is the big question?
Am I leading my flock to Jesus?
I am going to be asking myself this question over this Christmas time? Am I leading my children to Jesus by His character which they see in me? Am I truly showing them the way? Are there some ideas or better ways that can I implement to lead my lambs to Jesus? I don't want to tell you how to do this. God will show you and me individually. But will you pray this prayer with me?
God is Looking for Father Hearts
God wants mothers and fathers to have shepherd hearts. It is interesting that God chose a carpenter to be the earthly father of His son, Jesus. Like the shepherds, carpenters were not on the highest rung of the career ladder. Joseph was a humble man, but the Bible says he was "righteous." But he must have had a father's heart. God would not have put His son into a family of a man who did not have a father's heart. God was more interested in this quality than what career he had. Now, in our 21st century, God is still looking for father hearts to father His sheep and lambs. This is more important to God than a high-powered career.
In fact, every aspect of Jesus' birth was bathed in humility--his earthly parents, the place of His birth and his dedication where Joseph and Mary brought turtle doves because they could not afford a lamb. In the birth of Jesus, God revealed to us His true character. Although He is the God of the universe, King of kings and Lord of lords, He is not afraid to come to the lowest place to associate with and meet the needs of His created ones. Read Psalm 68:4-6; 107:41 and 113:4-9.
May this same spirit of humility be upon us at this season.
May God's peace and anointing be upon your home. May you enjoy the presence of the Lord, whether you are celebrating Hannukah or Christmas.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER:
"Oh great shepherd of the sheep, please teach me how to be a true shepherd of the little flock you have given me. Help me to lead my flock to you. Help me to show them the way, and please help me to be a true watchmen over them. Amen."
AFFIRMATION:
I'm a shepherd to my flock and a sheep to my Shepherd.
Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.
If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org
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Dec. 23, 2008
Am I a Saint or am I Insane for Homeschooling?
I normally receive one of two extreme responses when folks find out I am homeschooling my children. They either think I am a saint, or they think I am insane (maybe not using those exact words, but their attitudes and facial expressions reveal their amazement either way).
Let's look at the first reaction for a moment. The grand response of, "You are lifted up in my eyes and must be on a whole different level to be able to raise all those children AND homeschool them on top of it--you must be a saint!!" Well, in reality, they are right. We are all called saints if we are called children of God. However, we are all on the same level before Him: one of humility before HIS greatness, not ours. And I think that all of us homeschoolers would be quick to say that, but for the grace of God, we would not be doing what we are doing. And that we are nothing and can do nothing without Him. So, really, HE is the One to be lifted up, and not we ourselves. We must always point back to Him and say, "God is good, not me." And yet, even knowing our lack of goodness (as there is none good, no not one) God calls us saints before Him - even 95 times in the KJV! Here is one of those 95 that proclaim just Who is the One to be not only "looked up to" but to be humbly, fervently, worshipped:
"And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." Rev. 15:3
Now the opposite extreme response is to assume we are insane! Don't you love those looks of disdain and condescension? Those voices saying, "how could you, why would you, don't you care, don't you worry, aren't you afraid, I would be crazy to attempt it" seem to ring throughout your being trying to shake your conviction. But praise be to God, when we stand strong in our calling and convictions, the Lord takes up our offense. Let's think about that word, "insanity." A current humorous definition, which I'm sure you've heard, is this: "Continuing to do the same thing over and over and expecting different results." If that is true, then that is exactly what the government is doing by continuing to pour billions of dollars into a failing public education system and expecting different results. Oh but wait, the results have changed, and current research states that things are getting worse than ever before.
Insane. I kind of like that word. It really means "not in one's right mind. Utterly senseless or foolish." Now, why would I like such a word? Well, biblically speaking, God has made the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. While some look at homeschooling as foolish, God raises up children of excellence in character who are growing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. Man's wisdom is really utterly senseless in the eyes of God. To not be in one's right mind can also be a good place as we seek to exchange our thoughts and feeble wisdom in order to know the mind of Christ and operate under His thoughts and wisdom. Totally foreign thinking to the world, but life changing to the believer.
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain." 1 Corinthians 3:18-20
"For who hath known the mindof the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mindofChrist." 1 Corinthians 2:16
So, the next time someone thinks you are a saint or that you are insane, let them know that you are BOTH, and be sure to let them know that you will continue to keep those children Home Where They Belong.
~Deborah
Senior Editor
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Dec. 22, 2008
The Duggar Family's Homemade Laudry Detergent Recipe - Cheap and Works WELL!
I was told that this is the recipe (the liquid one) that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar use for their family of 20. We bought a kit online HERE for $30, including shipping. We also use some of the ingredients for our homemade dishwashing detergent (recipe HERE). The soap is easy to grate if you can find a table clamp cheese grater...we found one on Ebay and the kids do ALL the work and LOVE to do it. The recipe we tried was the liquid laundry recipe and we LOVE IT! We will never go back to our once-beloved Tide again. And at only 3 cents per load, who can complain about cost! ~ Lisa Metzger
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap
Ingredients:
4 cups hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 cup washing soda
½ cup Borax
a.. Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
b.. Fill a five-gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
c.. Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (It will gel.)
d.. Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per two gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons. Top-load machine: 5/8 cup per load (approximately 180 loads). Front-load machine: ¼ cup per load (approx. 640 loads).
Powdered laundry detergent
Ingredients:
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 cup washing soda
½ cup Borax
a.. Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use one tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons. Yields: three cups detergent (approximately 40 loads).
Inexpensive fabric softener recipes
Recipe No. 1: Add one cup white vinegar to rinse cycle. Works great. Removes residue and odors. Also helps to keep washing machine and hoses fresh and clean too.
Recipe No. 2:
1 container of name-brand fabric softener
4 inexpensive sponges, cut in half
Pour a whole container of softener into a five-gallon bucket. Fill empty softener container with water twice (two parts water to one part softener). Add sponges to softener/water mixture. When ready to use, wring out extra mixture from one sponge and add to the dryer as you would a dryer sheet.
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