WWU--This is My Comfort

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

This Weekly Wrap-Up is going to be short and sweet.  Well, short, at least.  I need to get to a couch to give my back a break.  It is really aching now, but oh, how I've missed blogging this week!  The Lord had other plans for my life, however, and I am content in that.  Without further ado...


Home Life

The Lord allowed my back to "go out" on Wednesday morning, to the point I was in utter agony by that evening, and immobile until some time on Friday.  When I could focus, I spent time in Psalm 119.  God's Word is a balm.

My view from the couch as my guys made Wednesday dinner.  :)

Jacob and Danny finished college classes and finals by Tuesday.  Everyone is happy.  :)

Danny is happy.

Jacob is happy, too.

My Kitchen and Garden

I baked whole-wheat peanut butter cookies on Tuesday, right before injuring my back.  God's timing is impeccable.  :)  (They turned out yummy, by the way.)

My Project Desk

...sits empty for the time being.


Behind the Lens

My first piece of official mail for my business!

The hilarious thing is that this particular piece of mail was from the county clerk's office, who returned my assumed business name application.  Apparently, they do NOT accept temporary checks.  Now that I have my "real" checks, I have to re-submit the application.  *rolls eyes*


Heart Thoughts

My heart has focused on the Lord this week.  That focus always gets keener when I'm experiencing trial, for which my back pain definitely qualifies.  As I lay in bed Thursday morning, wondering if I'd ever be able to get up to take a shower, I carefully read Psalm 119.  Here are a few verses that stuck out to me, and that I leave you with (all from the NASB).

My soul weeps because of grief;

Strengthen me according to Your word.

verse 28

This is my comfort in my affliction,

That Your word has revived me.

verse 50

It is good for me that I was afflicted,

That I may learn Your statues.

verse 71

I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous,

And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

O may Your lovingkindness comfort me,

According to Your word to Your servant.

May Your compassion come to me that I may live,

For Your law is my delight.

verses 75-77

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU -- Contented Celebration

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

Saturday, 11:24am--starting this post.  (I want to see how long it takes me to get this posted!)


Home Life

As I listen to Jacob's less-frequent cough, I thank the Lord for health.  No one else has caught his cold, which is a good thing since next week is finals week for Jacob and Danny.  Will I ever be especially glad when Danny walks through the door after completing his Rhetoric final.  He agonized his way through the class, and obsessed about every essay paper assigned.  But he's pulling an A so far, and as long as he gets his outline prepared for the final exam, he should be fine.  (The students are allowed to bring an outline for the in-class essay final.)

Jacob is an excellent student, and rarely asks for my help--except for commenting and making suggestions on his papers, proofreading them, and typing them for him (he can't stand typing!).  He offered me Trader Joe's dark chocolate peanut butter cups to type his final Psychology essay.  That was a no-brainer "yes" for me!!

Joseph likes to read through his brothers' papers, too!

Christmas decorations are all up, or at least the ones I'm willing to put up!  If you step into my home, you'll be greeted by a cheery Christmas-y foyer, and you'll see the tree--with my grandmother's manger set nestled at its base--in our front living room.  If you step beyond the hallway, however, the rest of the house is as it appears each and every day.  I just don't have storage space for lots of decorations, and I'm also way too practical to have lots of decorations!

It has been a peaceful season, since we aren't shopping for gifts this year.  We, along with our extended family (a small crowd at 11 people), decided to celebrate Christmas differently this year.  There is no hustle and bustle, and so far our outside activities have been minimal.  It's very nice.  :)


My Kitchen

I've been enjoying cooking a bit more, because it warms the kitchen and I can fend off feeling cold for a little bit.  (I'm almost always cold all winter long.)  I have a Nutri-Mill recipe for whole-wheat peanut butter cookies in my plans for the next few days.  That might be the only cookie recipe I prepare this month!  We'll see how it goes.

We've been blessed with some fresh vegetables and fruits, and a few other food items, over the last few weeks.  We have used them to create and enhance some delicious meals, and we are still in the mode of giving thanks for what the Lord has provided.  God is good.  He has blessed us beyond measure, and we need to remember Him in this abundance.

Enchiladas for dinner

I turned my portion into Enchilada Salad!

Though my vegetable garden is "closed," I still have a few little purple onions in the fridge, and I slice them up for salads and things.  Though they are little, they are strong!  Plus we continue to enjoy the various salsas, jalapeños, tomatoes, and apple products that I've canned this year.

My Project Desk

I actually altered a blouse this week!  I have hooks/eyes to sew on between the front buttons, but I have taken in the sides.  I found this blouse at a resale shop some friends took me to a few months ago, and it was brand-new with the tags still on!  It is a very tailored, very well-made blouse, and I hope to wear it for a long time.  Photos soon...


Behind the Lens

I have been busy getting my ducks in a row with Christine Anne Photography.  I now have a business checking account, and have filed my business name with the county.  Once I hear back from them, I have to publish a notice in the local newspaper for three weeks, then make sure the newspaper files (I can't remember what document) with the county.  Then I'm official!  It seems like a long process for this little business.

I try to take pictures of something every day, but life happens, and my business is not my life.  It really is a hobby, and a passion, and I don't want to lose the heart of my love of capturing people and things on film.  I do have some upcoming business opportunities, about which I'm excited and nervous all rolled into one!  I'll tell you about it soon.  For now, enjoy this photo of a cinnamon-oat muffin to which I added blueberries.

Heart Thoughts

Since we're wrapped up in the Christmas season (hey, that's a nice pun!), I thank the Lord for His peace and His perspective during this time when our culture has mega-commercialized the greatest event in history and in our faith.  But we are to enjoy this season of reflection, waiting, and celebration, no matter our circumstances.  We are to be content in the current situation in which we have been placed.  For truly the Lord has led us here--or has allowed us to walk here--and we need to remember to celebrate with joy and contentment.

...for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

I know how to get along with humble means,

and I also know how to live in prosperity;

in any and every circumstance I have learned

the secret of being filled and going hungry,

both of having abundance and suffering need.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11b-13 nasb

I frequently quote "I can do all things..." when I am faced with a challenge, but it is interesting that in context, it is linked to contentedness.  Contentedness is the secret to the knowledge that I can indeed do all things through Him who strengthens me.

End Note:  It's only 12:26pm!!  I thought I'd be working on this post over a couple of days--thank You, Lord!!  :D

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU--Heartily as to the Lord

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

Home Life

My young men are staying busy with school.  Danny, forced to work within the constraints of his textbook, is still agonizing over his argumentative essay due next week.  He at least has a general idea of what to write about; he needs to get it into outline form and find some quotes from his textbook.  Then he'll really be on his way.  Everyone else is working hard, getting things done, and life is settled.

I think back to early September, when I was so overwhelmed with starting homeschool and assisting with college classes...  Praise the Lord for steady routine!  I still have a long-and-growing-longer to-do list, but with the Lord's strength, I am getting things done!


My Kitchen and Garden

I canned the last of the jalapeños, which Becki gave to me.  Thank you, Becki!  I had to use half-pint jars, since that was all I had left, and I canned 21 jars.  My spicy-lovers are happy!

My Projects

Hmm, no craft projects to report this week.  Just cleaning, organizing, keeping things de-cluttered.  I will post soon about cleaning my dining room.  It's nice to have a clean, tidy room that welcomes you when you peek in!


Behind the Lens

The Lord has brought several photography projects my way.  I had three photo sessions in an eight-day span last week!  I'm currently editing photos from my borrowed daughter's senior portrait session.  She was so sweet--she sat where I asked her to, tilted her head, smiled, laughed.  We had a great time together!  I will post photos of her soon on my photography blog. Below is one of my favorite photos from a session I did last week with two sisters.  This photo is of the little one.  Precious!

I also just purchased a 50mm f1.4 portrait lens, and the bokeh is amazing (sorry for the technical language!).  Bokeh is basically the blurriness of the background, so the focus is drawn to the sharp point of what the photographer wants the viewer to focus on.  The below picture demonstrates this concept.  Yep, I dream about this stuff!

Heart Thoughts

I connected to the Friday Farm Girls @ Heart meme at Lori's blog yesterday about the Lord's awesome power, and I'm still stuck on those thoughts.  It's a good thing to be stuck on!  The thoughts ran toward this--that my life is to glorify Him.  I am not to think, "I'm going to do something outstanding for God," as if I'm going to do the accomplishing.  I am simply to trust and obey, and to be outstanding in the realm in which He has placed me.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:17 nasb

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.

It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Colossians 3:23-24 nasb

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU--Every Spiritual Blessing

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

Home Life

This week, Joseph, poor thing, has had a sore throat and cough.  He is fine other than that, and has done his daily activities as usual.  But he did spend one entire day in his pajamas!

Jacob, Danny, and Thomas are working hard at their schooling.  Jacob's and Danny's Rhetoric class at the local community college is going well, and they are currently working on another speech.  This one is a little trickier, since it is about gender roles and the definition of a family, plus they have to work within the constraints of the essays given in their textbook.  We're bathing this issue in prayer, and the Lord will be faithful.


My Kitchen and Garden

The garden has finally petered out.  I thank the Lord for His bountiful harvest for our family, using just three raised bed garden boxes.  I still have tomatoes in bowls all over my kitchen, and though I'd like to space them out as far as eating them goes, I know they need to be eaten once they turn red or I'll have rotten tomatoes!  We're enjoying them while they last.

Here are the peppers we picked off my pepper plants.

Project Desk

I haven't been crafty lately, but I have accomplished some cleaning projects!  My friend Helen and I called each other (for accountability) on Tuesday and spent the entire afternoon cleaning the first floors of our respective homes.  I started in the dining room, and ended up there the entire three hours!  It is amazing to me that I had to spend that much time in that room, since it is one of the cleanest rooms on the first floor.  But, it contained its clutter.  I will blog about the dining room in my Tackle-It post next Tuesday.

I decided I would just pick up each misplaced or "no-placed" item and process it--hang it up, put it away, throw it out, etc.  I found a game I had bought at a summer garage sale, so I de-cluttered the hallway closet and put it away on the shelf with all the games.

I also found the cover for the hallway light fixture!  Kevin, our handyman extraordinaire, had painted much of our first floor, and the cover never made its way back on to the fixture, probably because we were going to clean it!  So Jacob kindly cleaned it, replaced a burned-out light bulb, and got the cover on.  (Confession--Kevin painted about a year ago...)

I spent some time cleaning in the kitchen; boy, can this room get messy even when I'm not cooking!  Below is the counter area next to the fridge, where we pour our drinks.  Another unabashed plug for his services:    Kevin installed the tin backsplash that you see in the photo.

I found the basket in a garage sale (50 cents!), so I used it here to contain Fernando's vitamins and other bottles which were spreading all over the countertop.


Behind the Lens

I finally figured out how to upload photos from Lightroom 3!!  Here is one of my favorites from my photo shoot with Danny (17) and Thomas (14).

Heart Thoughts

I started a weekly Bible study on Thursday mornings with a dear heart-sister in Georgia.  Our phone ringing at 6:30am is an alarm clock for the boys!  We chose the book of Ephesians, which I have studied in depth before.  I thought it would be a little easier for us to read through and study.  *riiight*  :)

Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing

in the heavenly places in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 nasb

We made it through several verses in chapter 1, and got stuck--in a good way--on the phrase heavenly places in verse 3.  The word places is not in the original Greek, which is the word for heaven.  We had a lively and thought-provoking discussion about why Biblical scholars would translate this word heaven in some places, and heavenly places (or, more accurately, heavenlies) in other places.

I'm still mulling over that word.  It is good to meditate on God's Word!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU--Shield, Anchor, Tower

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

Home Life

Well, the week didn't start out well.  But that's my perspective.  You can read about Murphy's Law Monday here.  God is good.  :)

Our school schedule evolved a bit this week, with Fernando allowing Thomas to drop Spanish II.  I have also rearranged Danny's schedule to better organize the time he is spending on each of his subjects.  Since he will have almost enough credits to graduate high school at the end of this semester, I dropped a few requirements and will add a few different ones come January.  It should help ease the load he's carrying.

My Kitchen and Garden

I was able to do some canning earlier this week.  I'm so thankful for food put up!  Whenever I go to the basement bomb shelter (that's what we call it), I thank the Lord for the canned apples, applesauce, spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and pepperoncinis gracing my shelves.  Even typing that all out just now made me realize how blessed our family is.  Thank You, Lord.

Behind the Lens

The Positive:  I started our family photo shoot (for Christmas pictures and to update the boys' wall frames with current photos) this past week.

The Negative--or, The Negative Right Now.  My photos are all sitting in Lightroom, my new photography editing software.  After two solid hours of work, I edited a total of two photos.  I don't even know if the changes will be saved when I return to working on the photos.  In other words, I have never been more thoroughly confused in my life (except maybe that math class in college).  I'm sure that in six months or so I will love Lightroom.  Right now, however, it is not my friend.  And because of these circumstances, I have no extra photos to share today.


Heart Thoughts

It has been an up-and-down week for me, partly due to constant mishaps and accidents, interruptions and frustrations; and partly due to hormones.  *cross eyes*  I have been on the Emotional Roller Coaster, with almost no time to get off and breathe before I scream down another plummet.  Don't get me wrong, though.  God is an ever-present help and shield, sure and steadfast anchor, and a mighty tower of refuge.  I continually remind myself to keep my eyes turned toward Him, even on that downard plummet.  :)

Scripture in my heart for this last week:

Our soul waits for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.

Psalm 33:30 nasb

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

a hope both sure and steadfast

and one which enters within the veil...

Hebrews 6:19 nasb

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

The righteous runs into it and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10 nasb

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU--First Pure, Then Peaceable

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

Home Life

What a week.  I have felt a calmness that can come only from the Lord.  I'm amazed that I feel this way, simply because our days are busy, in my opinion.  I've crossed off three or four items from my to-do list, only to write down five or six more.  I think, like my friend Shani, that I need to just buckle down and schedule some of these to-do items, so they actually get done.  Some of them require me to actually go out and do something, or get something--such as Joseph's handicapped state i.d. card (free, but we have to go to the driver's license facility with proper paperwork and identification).  The rest require simply my time.  Time?  What's that?!

Jacob and Danny turned in writing assignments again this week.  I think Danny is getting over his fear of talking in class, and talking to the professor!  He even emailed her to get an "okay" on which historical references he could use in his paper, after she told him that his example of Corrie ten Boom was not well-known enough to be cited in the assigned essay.  I must have read The Hiding Place dozens of times growing up, so I was somewhat taken aback that someone hadn't heard of Corrie.

Danny completed a few chemistry experiments.  The sales rep at the hardware store lectured Danny for several minutes about the dangers of working with lye.  Needless to say, I was nervous as he worked through the experiment.  But everything went without a hitch.

Also this week, I cut everyone's hair.  And I took pictures!  I keep telling my boys to stop looking so handsome, but they don't listen.  Jacob is still full of hair in the photo below, but he still looks good!

Future police officer/detective

My Kitchen and Garden

I'm still picking--my vegetables, that is!  We've enjoyed almost two glorious weeks of summer-like weather, and my tomatoes and green beans have gone crazy.  Plus, all the little green peppers on my plants are getting bigger.  Even though they're not supermarket-sized, they will work for salads, chili, soup...

I also have canning on my radar.  In fact, it's blipping away loudly as I prepare this wrap-up of my week!  Today is canning day--apples, spaghetti sauce, jalapeños, pepperoncinis... (I won't get it all done!)



My Project Desk

Sadly, I haven't completed any projects this week.  Up in my bedroom, my desk sits empty, waiting for me to work on something.  But Fernando says homeschool is priority, and I'm trying to rest in that.


Behind the Lens

This week, I took the plunge and created business cards for christine anne photography.  I wanted a photo to be imprinted on the cards, so I had to experiment.  Most of the photos I've taken aren't suited for writing to be imprinted on them.  I ended up outside for several different shots.  After creating six different cards, Fernando and I both decided on one--yes, the same one!  Here is a photo that didn't work well for a business card, but it's pretty enough for my portfolio.

Heart Thoughts

We've been reading through and studying James during our dinner hour (more like dinner hour-and-a-half!).  Fernando has gone into depth with word studies, which is one of my favorite things to do.  Here is a passage we studied this past week, with word definitions added.

James 3:17 nasb

But the wisdom from above is first

• pure -- characterized by spiritual integrity
• then peaceable -- peace-loving, peace-promoting
• gentle -- characterized by a sweet reasonableness
• reasonable -- showing obedience to God's standards
• full of mercy and good fruits -- quick to forgive, having a concern for others
• unwavering,
• without hypocrisy --consistent and unwavering, undivided in commitment and conviction, doesn't make unfair distinctions

What a list.  It shows me that I have so far to go in seeking the Lord's wisdom instead of instantly using my own frail human wisdom.  God's foolishness is wiser than my greatest wisdom, and most times I can't grasp even His foolishness!  I read verses like these with a hunger to continue to seek after His wisdom, and with a humility that acknowledges that without Him, I am nothing.

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU--Seek Her as Silver

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

Home and School

We experienced a busy week this past week--small projects, a greater focus on homeschooling, and general home "management" duties (a..k.a. chores).  Fernando asked Joseph to help out more with chores, and he is willingly working around the house.  Jacob and Danny continue to chug along in their college Rhetoric class.  Thomas continues to check his attitude as he and I work more closely together throughout the week.  Parenthood isn't any easier now, that's for sure.  Someone once told me, "You can't have quality time without quantity time."  And Thomas and I have quantity time in abundance!

It also helps when Thomas gets to play with matches.  Come to think of it, he's really enjoying science this year...

Physical science:  Observation

My Kitchen and Garden

I already posted about my adventures in canning earlier this week, so you can click here to read about it if you wish.  My vegetable garden continues to be the Little Engine That Could!  This week, I've picked another overflowing bowl of tomatoes, plus more green beans and the rest of my basil.

Three raised-bed vegetable gardens

Tomatoes on the vine

Tomatoes, green beans, and basil

My garden-wise friend Becki gave me several cayenne peppers, which are currently drying and will soon be crushed for adding to homemade salsa.

Cayenne peppers redden as they dry

Speaking of spicy, here's a photo of the enchiladas we had for dinner a week ago.

My Project Desk

Fernando was extra thoughtful this week; he not only built me shelves for a couple of kitchen cabinets, but he hung a few things that needed hanging.  He's my hangman!

I found this wrought-iron scroll at a garage sale, and we decided it nicely dressed up the photos of our sons:

Main hallway

Then, he hung this funny sign in our back hallway, which leads to our mud room/pantry/laundry room.  We have had the sign for almost two years!!

Behind the Lens

I've been experimenting with shooting into the sun.  What appears on the finished product is not what I see when I peer through the viewfinder!  Surprises--sunspots and glare--sometimes turn an ordinary scene into something amazing.  Here is an example, with more to be posted on my photography blog later today.

Heart Thoughts

At church, Pastor Fraley has been teaching through the book of Proverbs.  As I look back on all that I've learned--and my compulsive notes all over my Bible pages--one passage stuck out, as a reminder.  I'll quote a little of it here:

My son [daughter], if you will receive my words

And treasure my commandments within you,

Make your ear attentive to wisdom,

Incline your heart to understanding;

For if you cry for discernment,

Lift your voice for understanding;

If you seek her as silver

And search for her as for hidden treasures;

Then you will discern the fear of the LORD

And discover the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Guarding the paths of justice,

And He preserves the way of His godly ones.

Proverbs 2:1-8 nasb with my [insert]

This passage goes on for several additional verses describing the results of seeking God's wisdom.  One aspect of the first verses is that I have to want wisdom.  I have to be intentional and deliberate about it.  Pastor Fraley talked about "seeking her [wisdom] as silver" as a very difficult process.  Isn't gold more valuable?  But silver is normally covered with gray or black material, making it very hard to find.  And once you've found it, the actual refining process is difficult and drawn out.  Such is the path of seeking wisdom.  It requires diligent investigation into God's Word.  It was good to have this reminder to seek Him this week.

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU--Purity of Heart and Other Thoughts

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

My Home

When we began our homeschooling year, I thought I was doomed.  But I'm much happier now that our schedule is running smoothly and I know what to expect--generally speaking, of course!  Fernando addressed the issue of chores, which was the only item being neglected the past several weeks.  Using my "Home Management" chart, he assigned a son to each day of the week, and laid down some rules.  Praying this works!


College and Homeschool

Jacob is cruising along at college, and always comes home with stories, mostly of what he has learned in class that particular day.  My head gets stuffed with all sorts of tidbits about psychology, U.S. government, criminal law, and juvenile delinquency.  Whew.

Danny seems to have found a rhythm with his online chemistry class, and he complains much less about going to English Comp class with Jacob.  Even though he does not like it, he is more of a natural writer than Jacob, and the professor likes his work so far.  Jacob has to work harder at it.  They enjoy their time together, both in the classroom and in the car.



My Kitchen and Garden

I have an October garden!  Tomatoes are still ripening on the vine, green beans are still growing, as well as herbs, onions--though small, and jalapeños.  I'm happy.

My Project Desk

No pictures to show you, but I've been slowly working on altering blouses to fit better.  I bought several blouses at Goodwill with my birthday discount, and I need to take in sides a little, and sew on hooks and eyes.  Hopefully I'll post some photos for Tackle-It Tuesday.


Behind the Lens

On my way to the garden this morning to capture some veggie images, I almost stepped on this spider web, still wet with dew.  Mr. Spider quickly went into hiding, but the glistening web called me to take its picture.  So I did.

Heart Thoughts

The thoughts emanating from the Scripture our family is reading during devotions have been weighty.  The Lord has been impressing many things on my heart, but I'll share just one verse from Thursday's devotions.

If anyone thinks himself to be religious,

and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart,

this man's religion is worthless.

James 1:26 nasb

Religious refers to ceremonial public worship--the external trappings without the internal belief.  It is simply superficial pseudo-faith, which reminds me of the verse about whitewashed tombs full of dead men's bones (Matthew 23:27).  Which it should, because James used this word religion to refer to the Pharisees.

The main thought, however, was in regard to bridling one's tongue.  Fernando's commentary said:

Purity of heart is often revealed by controlled and proper speech.

It has made me ponder my manner of speaking, and even the words I use.  Controlled brings to mind the lack of angry outbursts, and the welling up of patience as I respond to others.  Proper connotes the actual words I use--hmm, slang, possibly?  The use of casual phrases or words--good luck (do I really believe in luck?), or even "darn" or "shoot" instead of other--um, colorful--expressions.  Purity of heart--may the Lord cultivate self-control in my speech!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne