The Hiding Place

Can I just tell you a little about this book and how I stumbled across it?

This year in BSF we studied the book of Romans which is a letter from Paul to the Romans about righteousness (and for me love).  He explains the depth of our human unrighteousness and the astounding love God has for ALL people.  Out of this great love, God graciously gifts righteousness through Jesus Christ to all who believe.  Through His righteousness alone is the only way.  We cannot do anything to earn righteousness (or right-standing with God) on our own.  The righteousness He bestows upon us is simply a gift given for truly believing in who Jesus is and what He did on the cross.  It is given to anyone who calls on His name.

John 3:16                Romans 10:9

One of the homework questions took me back to my favorite quote...

“This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”

Now, I've never known who said it, who wrote it, or where it even came from.  I can't even tell you when I first found the quote or where I was in my life at the time but I knew it impacted me somewhere deep within and wanted to remember it.  Nor did I ever research the answer to those questions until recently.   All these years later, answering a question on my BSF homework, led me to find out.

It was written by Corrie ten Boom in her book, The Hiding Place.

(thank you, Google! 😉)

Well, now I had to buy this book and find time to read it.

Not only was I captivated by Corrie's story of how God was in every detail, how Jesus impacted her family and those she met, and how the Holy Spirit led her family every step of the way but I also highlighted several more quotes to hold on to.  I've listed them below so I can refer back to them easily.  Maybe they hold significance for you, too.  I'd love to hear from you if they do.

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"That was Father's secret:  not that he overlooked the differences in people; that he didn't know they were there."

"Childhood scenes rushed back at me out of the night, strangely close and urgent.  Today I know that such memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.  I know that the experiences of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do."

"Father sat down on the edge of the narrow bed.  'Corrie,' he began gently, 'when you and I go to Amsterdam - when do I give you your ticket?'  I sniffed a few times, considering this.  'Why, just before we get on the train.'  'Exactly.  And our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things, too.  Don't run out ahead of Him, Corrie.  When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need - just in time."

"...yearning to say something, to heal something.  Wanting to love her better."

"Happiness isn't something that depends on our surroundings, Corrie.  It's something we make inside ourselves."

"Dear Jesus, I thank You that we must come with empty hands.  I thank You that You have done all - all - on the cross, and that all we need in life or death is to be sure of this."

"Perhaps only when human effort had done its best and failed, would God's power alone be free to work."

"The Bible lay at home on its shelf, but much of it was stored in his heart."

"And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His.  When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself."

I mean WOW...I have nothing left to say.

Breakfast Egg Casserole

I was pleasantly surprised when we were asked to bring a dish to share at our last BSF Monday meeting before summer break.  It's the only day throughout the year when BSF stands for Bring Some Food!  Woohoo!

In addition to sharing our favorite dishes during this fellowship time, we were also preparing to share what the Lord has done in our lives throughout the 30 week study of Matthew.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a faith-filled person.  I grew up in a Christian home, accepted Christ at a young age, participated in youth group activities, and spent several summers at a week-long Christian camp.  We now attend church regularly and I've participated in lots of Bible studies over the years.  But generally, I was just kind of going through life believing.  Through this study, I learned that "blind faith is not biblical faith."  Sure, the previous Bible studies I've done have kept me in the Word during the study and brought me closer to the Lord but it wasn't until this study that it hit me.  I needed to and was ready to go deeper.  Romans 10:17 promises that faith comes as we read God's Word.  The best way to believe is to expose yourself intentionally and steadily to the Bible.  Intentionally and steadily meaning purposefully and routinely.  Jesus doesn't promise life following him will be easy but he does promise it will be rewarding.  It's not always easy but I'm excited at 6:00am to get up before the baby to do my reading, studying, and question answering knowing that will most likely be the only quiet time of my day, but more so knowing that the Lord has so much to teach me if I will just be obedient and open his Word with an open heart, refreshed eyes, and a clear mind.  Through that time together it's as if He has grown my heart to love Him more and know Him better.

So, let me encourage you to find a quiet time that works for you, open His word and listen.

Ok back to the food...I was hoping to sign up to bring this Blueberry Banana Bread, but the only thing left to put my name beside was a breakfast casserole.  However, I still had the bread on my mind so I made it too for us to enjoy at home. :)

Here is how to make it:

Breakfast Egg Casserole

Ingredients:

1 dozen eggs

1 cup milk

white bread, crusts removed

1/2 lb sausage, browned and drained

small onion, chopped

1/2 red pepper, finely chopped

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Brown sausage along with onion and red pepper until cooked through.  Drain off excess grease and set aside.  Arrange bread in bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.  Beat eggs and milk and pour over bread.  Sprinkle sausage, onion, pepper over eggs.  Cover with cheese.  Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.  Bake at 300 degrees for 1 ½ hours total (1 ¼ hours covered, 15 minutes uncovered).

Enjoy!

Here it is ready to go in the frig overnight.

BSF

I just started my first year of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) the week before last and I'm so excited!  This isn't my first Bible study but one I have been hoping to join for quite some time.  I've heard amazing things about all aspects of the program.  If you're not familiar with BSF, it's "an in-depth, interdenominational Bible study that helps people know God."  There is even something to be said for the BSF children's program (newborn to age 6).  Mobile infants like my little guy can spend the morning "in a nurturing environment. They hear a Bible story, are prayed for and listen to BSF hymns sung to them as they are held and rocked."  Because my little guy isn't away from me too often, it's so comforting to know that he is in good, God-loving hands while I'm in the study for a couple hours.

I'm thrilled the Lord has finally opened the door for me to attend and I'm walking in with faith.  We've only met twice but the Lord is already teaching me His truth.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17

We are studying Matthew this year which begins with a genealogy of Jesus Christ.  In this genealogy, Matthew includes five women, most of whom were less than perfect but were faithful to the Lord and He chose to use them in a mighty way.  Each played a special role in the lineage of Jesus Christ, God's most precious and perfect son.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

In many areas of my life, I try to be perfect.  I try to be the perfect wife, step-mom, mother, daughter, sister, employee, business owner, cook, laundry washer, dish doer, and on and on.  Yet, I continually fall short.  The chicken is over-cooked, the laundry didn't get done, the floor is dirty, the flowers didn't get watered, the dog didn't get walked, did I pick up the dry-cleaning, oh my...did I even drop it off?  But you know what?...the baby laughed a lot and slept all night, my family is healthy and happy, we have food to eat and a shelter over our heads.  At the end of the day, I have to realize and accept that no one is perfect except Jesus who lived a flawless life.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 3:23

Jesus comes from a line of imperfect women yet each was used for a bigger and better purpose.  Just like He wants to use imperfect little ol' me and you for His bigger purpose!  I am here for His glory.  Use me Lord as you see fit according to your will is a prayer I have prayed since I was young.  Although the unknown can be scary and obedience isn't always easy, I have faith that God will use me for His almighty purpose.

faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see
Hebrews 11:1

I always go back to my favorite verse.

...Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

And for that reason, I don't need to worry about the future or where He will send me because I know that if He brings me to it, He will bring me through it!