June 30, 2007
Malachi 3:3 says:
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.“
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.” She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.”If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
(Author Unknown)
Hat-tip: Kelly
Mummymac.
2 Comments | 
Thought for Today | 
Permalink
Posted by Elaine@homebutnotalone
June 29, 2007
Well folks school’s out here and so we’re celebrating - I haven’t much inspiration for blogging as it’s been all go here with play-group sports day and school out early. Busy mummy time….
I have been watching this Friday’s Feast meme for a few weeks and decided I would wait till I liked the sound of the questions before I joined in 
The idea is you answer the questions to let your readers know more about you … well you’ll get the idea……
Appetizer
How many pieces of jewellery do you wear most days?
3 rings and a watch - with the odd necklace thrown in!
Soup
What is your favourite instrumental song?
At the moment - Hubert Parry’s JERUSALEM
Salad
Who has a last name that you like?
Hubby!! (If you had a maiden name like mine you would be quite happy with a semi-normal surname!!) - sorry dad!
Main course
Name a popular movie you’ve never seen.
Amazing Grace - It may not be that popular but I really do want to see it.
Desert
Fill in the blank: Nothing makes me ……………. like ……………….
Nothing makes me smile like my kids can!
And so ends my first meal….. We’re eating at a friends to-night and it’s great not having to think about what to cook, but I really enjoyed my first blog meal!!
Mummymac.
4 Comments | Blogging, Personal | Permalink
Posted by Elaine@homebutnotalone
June 28, 2007
JDmac brought this guy home from school, as it’s clear all the craft out of school-time of the year.
He’s great really as I can look to him for encouragement when I’m having a bad hair day. Anyway I promised I would post “Grasshead” on my blog to see what y’all thought of him - make a 6 year old happy and leave him a wee comment!!
I know I can rely on you 
Mummymac.
7 Comments | Children, You had to be there | Permalink
Posted by Elaine@homebutnotalone
June 27, 2007
School’s almost out here and right now I’m baking some cakes as a thank-you to the teachers in the Pre-School and the Primary School where JDmac (6) and Princessmac (4) attend.
This recipe is a family favourite so I thought I would share it with you.
A Honeyed Sultana-topped Apple Sauce Cake.
1 Bramley apple
1dssp water
1/2oz sugar
1/4tsp cinnamon powder
4oz butter
6oz caster sugar
2oz sultanas
2 small eggs lightly beaten
6oz self-raising flour
Topping:
2oz sultanas
1/2tsp cinnamon powder
2dssp honey
Method:
Peel, core and slice the apple, then poach in the water, sugar and cinnamon powder for 3-4 minutes until cooked and soft. Leave to cool. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the cold, pureed apples, sultanas and lightly beaten eggs. Mix well together, then add the sieved flour in 2-3 additions. Mix well, then transfer to an oiled and lined loose bottom tin. Cook at 180C/375F/gas mark 5 for 30 minutes until golden and firm to the touch. Unmould. Bubble together the sultanas, cinnamon and honey and pour over the top of the cake when still warm.
Hat-tip: Jenny Bristow
Mummymac.
5 Comments | Children, Recipes | Permalink
Posted by Elaine@homebutnotalone
June 26, 2007
I know I’m running the risk of boring you about books and reading but I just have to let you know about the sale on over here. All their books are being sold for $5 on Wednesday and Thursday of this week!! I have no idea what their shipping costs are but I thought you may be interested.
Me?
No way hosey!!
I have too many books on the shelf which I haven’t even started yet and after my last post I need to get cracking.Besides - Hubby is off to the Conference here next week and you never know he may feel led to buy me an addition to my collection!
Mummymac.
2 Comments | Books | Permalink
Posted by Paul
June 25, 2007
The ladies at our church have been trying out a reading schedule this year. We call it the reading roundabout and the idea came from a Godly Pastor’s wife of a sister congregation in USA.
The idea is we have 13 ladies, 13 books and 13 months in which to read them. We each have 1 book for 1 month and swap at the end of each month.We started this at the beginning of September and will be finished our first year at the end of September this year. We hope to get together to discuss the books at some stage. I can hardly believe we have completed so many books already.
I have found the reading schedule has helped me to stick to a reading list as I just slot the reading roundabout books into my own reading list. When I get my new book I read it first as there is always the time pressure as at the end of the month someone will be waiting on it.
Anyway - Why am I telling you all this? Enough of the ladies in our church have told me this has been an encouragement to them as they wouldn’t consider themselves readers. This is a great way to get people to read books they would never normally lift off the shelves. The book I have this month is one my husband has had on his shelf for years and I just “never have got round to reading it” I mean books look nice on shelves but isn’t it so much nicer when we can say “Yea I’ve read it”!
Mummymac.
7 Comments | Books, Church | Permalink
Posted by Elaine@homebutnotalone
June 21, 2007
FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING
Plant three rows of peas:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
Plant four rows of squash:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
Plant four rows of lettuce:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
Don’t forget the Turnips
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
We must plant Thyme:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.
There ought to be much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.
Author Unknown
Mummymac.
4 Comments | Gardening, Thought for Today | Permalink
Posted by Elaine@homebutnotalone
June 20, 2007
When all you can see are the embers of a real coal fire on a winter’s evening sprinkle some dried rosemary and the room will be a lovely scent.
Very seasonal I know
Mummymac.
5 Comments | Blogging | Permalink
Posted by Elaine@homebutnotalone
