Does God really HATE America?

There are a group of people that live only 15-30 minutes away from my home. These people have big signs that say, “God HATES America” and other such things. After seeing these people for the first time, I wondered what to do with or think of them. God surely does not HATE America. Yes, he hates our SIN but not us. Surely, he would not have sent his son to die for us if he hated us. He loves us dearly and tenderly wraps his loving arms around us. Sometime those loving arms correct us, discipline us, that’s what loving arms do (John 3:16 “For God so loved the WORLD that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”)

So, what should we think of these people or others who say they speak on behalf of God yet contradict the Word of God? This is something I am committing to prayer and examining in my own life to make sure that I do not ever speak against His Word.

I must confess, it frustrates me to see people vocalize their ideas and present them to the world as Truth. If you do not know whether or not they are wrong, go to Scripture and see what GOD says. I do not care about what these people say, I want to know what God thinks. We can preach against them all we want, we can send them emails, letters, we can protest too if we want but do you really think that will convince them of truth? It wont. It will just feed the flesh and confirm in their minds what they believe. It is only the Holy Spirit that can convince each of us of Truth.

John 16:12 – 14,  “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

This verse is just one of the many that speak of the Lord’s forgiveness and love. I believe that punishment will come but I also believe that there is a kind and loving God behind that punishment waiting for us to reach out to him again.

Hosea 14: 4 ~ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

I am not doing this subject justice and maybe one day I will expound on it more.

Until our next chat…

Beth Joy

These are other verses that speak of Truth.

Psalms 85:9-11, Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Psalms 57:9-11, I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

1 John 4:5-7, They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Psalms 25:4-6, Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

If Only… *sigh*

I think we all have “if only” moments. Moments we are longing and hoping for something other than what we have. “If only I had blonde CURLY hair..” – “If only I had blue eyes…” – “If only I was married…” – “If only I was thinner…” – “If ONLY!”

I believe we are more like sheep than most people would like to admit. We are often so discontent (something most sheep have a problem with) and we come up with all these different if onlys. If onlys are just another form of discontentment. This type of discontentment comes from us getting the idea that we could be  better, could do better things, or would be happier if we ONLY were made differently. This type of attitude is COMPLETELY wrong. We can only get this if only attitude when we take our eyes off of the Lord. Instead of looking at the blessings we have been given or the talents we have been gifted with we look at the bad things and all the downs in our life.

My momma once gave this analogy.                                                       

“If you put your whole heart into drawing me a picture and you were so very excited about giving it to me and then… when you gave it to me I turned my nose up at it and started pointing out all the things I didn’t like. The sky isn’t blue enough, or the trees are shaped funny. THAT is exactly what you are doing to God when you decide that you could be better if He had ONLY done things differently.”

Do you think that next time you are in the if only moment, you could instead think of something the Lord has blessed you with. I often remember my momma’s words whenever I would least like to… I am thankful for it too. I hope you’ll remember her words next time too.

Until our next chat…

Beth Joy

Cabbage Soup

Last night  we had a lovely cabbage soup with grilled cheese sandwiches. I didn’t get the chance to take a picture of the actual soup before we gobbled it down but I did get one picture of the vegetables. I think it would be just cruel not to share such a good recipe so, here it is!

 

 

 

Wood Family Cabbage Soup

9 quarts of Water

2 lbs. Pasture raised Beef

1 head of Cabbage chopped

12 Carrots

1 Yellow Onion

1 bulb of Garlic

1 Tablespoon Mullein leaf

1 1/2 Tablespoon Basil

Pepper and Salt to taste.

Directions:

Start by cooking the beef. While this is going cut up your veggies. Fill your pan with the 9 quarts of water and add in the cooked beef, chopped veggies and let cook in the pot for about 15 minutes. Add your seasonings, serve and ENJOY!

Until our next chat…

Beth Joy

What I do all Day…

Well, I was recently asked what I did all day by a friend when she came to visit. I thought it was a funny question because although nothing amazingly different has happened, we are quite busy! So, for any of you that are wondering what I do with my day, I thought I would share.

5:30- 6:00 AM ~ Wake up, get ready for day, and tidy house (occasionally, skim through emails before going outside to work).                

6:40 or 7ish AM ~ Milk cow, horses (groom, clean hooves, move to pasture, quick tune up, and fill water), feed Normandy (the baby cow), quick tidy up of the barn as I go back to the house.

8:40 AM ~ Breakfast and Bible study

9:40- 10:00 AM ~ Do chores that are appointed to me by momma or papa.

11:30 AM ~ Start making lunch and tidying up the kitchen

12:30 AM ~ Clean up after lunch and tidy up house

1:30 PM ~ Back out side to do gardening, horse training or school

(during this time something extra normally happens. Like a visit from the vet, or a unexpected visit from our friends, or a animal breakout, or…well you get the picture)

5:30 PM ~ Start barn chores which includes, milking the cow, feeding and caring for the horses, checking all goats, quick check (takes about 30 minutes) over the rest of the animals and a little bit of tidying up the barn.

6:30 PM ~ Dinner

7:00 PM ~ Clean house and get ready for bed

8:30 PM ~ Bible study

….Sleep…

So, that is what I spend all day doing. I also add little extra things in there but that is the general idea of my day. I hope you enjoyed yet another peak into my life.

Until our next chat…

Beth Joy

Longer days and Shorter nights.

The days are growing longer, my horse is more playful, the goats have started their escape plans and we are working hard in the garden and pastures.

We have many things going on in our life right now. We have quite a few projects to finish and they all need to be done right NOW. I am so thankful for my large family because now we can get more done. Well… that’s not the only reason but I am thankful for my hardworking brothers and my sisters that have meals ready and the house clean while the rest of us are outside working.

Papa’s routes are growing ever so quickly! We are hoping to hire another truck driver soon but haven’t found someone yet. I am sure God will bring the right person to us at the exact moment He has ordained. So, we are patiently waiting for that too…

Lord willing, I will meet Miracle’s possible trainer…I am excited to meet her.

Soo, those are just a few things, of the many, that are going on in our home today. I hope you all are enjoy reading a little bit about my life during this time…I think it is pretty random at times but I sure am enjoying it!

Well.. I best be off! Bible study is about to start.

Until our next chat…

Beth Joy

New happenings..

Bekah:”Goodbye.”  Jacob: “Don’t say that. This isn’t Goodbye, this is me giving you 23 days to do your makeup and pack your bags to come and see me.”

As a little sister, I am quite excited to share that my sister, Bekah, is entering a new phase of like with a wonderful young man named Jacob.

Bekah flew out to Idaho (that’s where Jacob and his family lives) a couple  months ago and enjoyed spending about a week getting to know Jacob  more. We got to meet Jacob for the first time this week and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him. My brothers welcomed him with open arms. I often walked into the living room to see a arm wrestles or other brotherly test of strength. I enjoyed seeing my brothers have so much fun with my sisters future husband.

So what do I think? I think Bekah and Jacob have a true love for each other… not the glimmering Hollywood love but the love that last. The love that will see them through the trials of life. As a little sister, I couldn’t be happier for Bekah.

Until our next chat…

Beth Joy

Learn to surf…

I was born and raised in California. Now, most people think of the big cities, lots of noise and all those other California things… but when I think of California, I think of big mountains, flowing streams, long horse rides…and BEACHES! We lived 20 minutes away from Yosemite and we would often take a little drive to go see the glory of God. My grandparents lived just hours away from the beach so we would also drive to the beach and spend the day finding sea treasures and enjoying our grandparents.                 Now, we live in Kansas and our only hope is that half the continent will fall off and we will have beach from property. But, that is highly unlikely so instead we spend our summer days swimming in our creek or a nearby pond. My older sister, Bekah, is still very hopeful that half the continent will fall off and no one will be inured in that event… *giggles*

Beth Joy

New Creations… in the kitchen?

I came up with this lovely little  rice mixture today. I am not the most creative cook so I am quite excited about this little creation.

I will be posting the recipe on our Azure Standard blog later on this weekend. 

Just thought I’d share a sneak peak.

Until our next chat…

Beth Joy

The story of the wayward turtle named Justice

Miranda (Jed’s fiancé) found a wayward turtle today. The turtle was on the highway and had a hawk pecking on its shell. So, Miranda, who has a love for small critters, decided it needed a place to stay.                                                                                                      The turtle is happily living in its own little home and tomorrow will be released into the creek behind our house. It is a beautiful turtle with many markings. I am enjoying watching it play in its water and burrow into the sand. All the children are sitting around watching him and thinking of all the things they should feed him.                                                                                                            Now of course this little critter needs a name. So, Sammy has dubbed him Justice. When I asked why, Sammy replied “because he is quiet and has a hard shell.. just like justice!” So the wayward turtle now has a name and a home. 

Until our next chat…

Beth Joy

Daughter of the King

My mother has always called me a Princess of the most High. When I was little I thought that simply meant that I was pretty, that I could wear all the big pink and purple dresses that I wanted and do whatever I wanted. Then when I grew older, I forgot who I was. I stopped believing that I was a Princess (surely it was just what my mother said to make me happy). Well to Satan’s great dismay, I caught sight of who I was and what I could be again. I am glad to say that I know who I am today. I AM a Princess of the most High King. But, what does a princess do? Does she have servants? big puffy dresses? and not a care in the world?                No, she is the one being a servant. She speaks kindly even to those who ridicule her. She is always at her post, watching, keeping guard, les Satan should show his face again in attempt to steal what is hers. She works diligently with her hands, quickly and skillfully preparing food and clothing for her family. She helps her father and mother with task around the house. She does not grumble at work but is joyful to serve. My friends, have you forgotten who you are?                                                                               

You are princes and princesses of the most High King. Do you know how it breaks His heart to see you accept the lies of the devil? Yet, his grace is strong enough to uphold all of us. Remember this today, He loves you.                                                  

Until our next chat,

Beth Joy

Wood family happenings...

Elisha (my older brother), and I are learning a new song on the piano together. We are quite excited! It is from the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack. We are learning the song Georgiana and hope to learn a few more from the soundtrack. It is such a lovely song and the movie is quite good too!

http://youtu.be/wQ08zO55ZUU

As many of you know, my papa is a truck driver and hauls for Azure Standard. My mother has been helping my papa with his business and has started a page for Azure Standard to teach others how to use Azure's products. My mother works very hard but this isn't a job that can be done by just one person so she has 'hired' soon to be sister-in-law, Miranda, my older sister, Bekah, and I to help her. Momma, Bekah and I have been working on a little surprise for everyone on our page and we can't wait to share! We are working as fast as we can because we are simply horrible at keeping secrets. ;-) I will make sure to blog and tell you all when the surprise is finished and ready for you all.

We planted a few different herbs yesterday and I am excited to see how they grow. The goats are all lustfully looking at them and dreaming of ways to escape from their pens... I do not know why they find my 'weeds' any better that their weeds. I think they just enjoy seeing me replant all the herbs they tore out.

The picture above of that old rusty plow, is actually the same plow my great grandpa used. We also have the wheels to the wagon he used to go from Oklahoma to California. I am just so happy that we have been able to keep part of our heritage. My papa is going to rebuild the wagon and I am hoping to teach one of my horses to pull that plow. I will probably use Sugar to pull the plow unless I decide that I want all of Kansas plowed (in other words Miracle wouldn't be the best horse for the job)...

Miracle and Sugar are also getting their first hoof trimming since winter started.... Miracle is not thrilled about the farrier but Sugar could care less so I am about to go prepare Miracle for his trimming. He is a very smart horse and has a huge heart but he has his own ideas at times and hoof trimming day is normally one of those times. ;-) I am very thankful that I have been blessed with such a great farrier and deep down, Miracle likes him too.

Miracle is calling and I best be going...

Until our next chat...

Beth Joy

Life on the Farm

We have a busy year ahead of our family. My oldest brother, Jed, is getting married to a lovely young lady named Miranda. They have been house-hunting and look forward to making these newlywed decisions together. I have picked my favorite and cast my vote and I look forward to seeing what they decide.

(Look at that house! Isn't it just adorable looking? If you didn't already catch on, that is the one I want them to pick!)

I have been able to save away a little time for trainig my wonderfully spirited horse. Bath time was quite a bit of fun! Miracle is still not sure if bath time is really the best thing for him.

The boys have almost completed their buck and rams pen. They have been working hard to finish it today. I am excited to get those bucks and rams out of 'my' barn and onto the pasture.

We also got a couple of blessings home today. Jasmine and Oscar (two very friendly Kinder kids) arrived safely to Covenant Ranch.

(Jasmine, in all her beauty and grace.)

It is now snack time at the Wood house and I have been chosen to make them delightful little snack.. so with a smile and a joyfuly heart I bid you farewell!

Until our next chat...

Beth Joy

Book Writing

My mother has been asked many times to write a book. However, my mother has not felt the Lord leading us that way. Recently a friend asked my mother to write a book. My mother politely told that we did not have the time during this busy season of life so then the dear friend asked if she could have one of her children write the book with my mother supervision. My mother and papa prayed about the idea and felt that this might be the best way for our family to minister to others and share what we have learned. So, I have been chosen to write this book but just like most projects in the Wood house, it has grown. What was going to be one book with tips and pointers, lessons learned and special moments in our home has now turned into two books. Yes, two books. I am now going to write Conversations with my Mother and Conversations with my father.

Conversations with my mother will be filled with girly moments in the Wood home, gardening, cooking and baking, house cleaning, child training and much more!

Conversations With My Father, will be filled with 'adventures' in with the Wood boys, building chicken coops, barns, fences, garden beds, what manliness is, how men play, and SO much more!

I am quite excited about this project. Along the way, I am learning how to photograph the special moments in our home.

Is there something that you would like to see in this book? Let me know and I'll try my best to fit it in. :-)

Well, the farmyard is calling me. I best be going!

Until our next chat...

Beth Joy

Rich Blessings

With spring come many rich blessings. My father, who is only home 36 hours twice a month, got a 10 day vacation. We all enjoyed his being home and look forward to his next vacation. My father built a fence with my brothers, made a rock fire place with a son, Josiah, and a dear friend from Idaho.
Mr. Yohn and papa working diligently.

After my father left again for work with my oldest brother Jed, we went back to work. We have been planting our orchard, training animals, planting our spring garden, and simply being children! I made sure to capture the highlights of these past months.

Oh, how I do enjoy our spring garden! It is so refreshing to come in after a hard days work.

Papa and the boys did a splendid job on the fence.

Well, I am off to the garden! Have a blessed day with your family.

Until our next chat...

Beth Joy