Honey dripping mouth

Last week I was reading the book of Songs of Solomon during my devotion. I would like to share with you what God was teaching me as I sat at his feet in the mornings. Songs of Solomon is actually love songs between a groom and a bride. Very interesting read. As per today's topic, the groom was praising his bride in these words:

Songs 4:11- Your lips drip nectar my bride, honey and milk are under your tongue.

I thought wow! What high praise! This bride must have really mastered how to make her husband happy.
You see today in our culture, it has become usual for men to complain that women nag alot, talk too much and generally express much dissatisfaction towards their mates. But not this Songs of Solomon woman. Her mouth is used to utter beautiful words.

Words as sweet as nectar. Words of praise to her husband, words of praise to those around her.

As if not enough, under her tongue is milk and honey. She takes this business of speaking seriously and even keeps reserves of sweet speech under her tongue

Milk is a nourishing drink so this woman speaks life giving words unto people who surround her. She uses her
tongue to encourage, to build up, to correct gracefully and to admire.

Honey is a natural medicine. So we see this beautiful woman using her tongue to offer healing words. She comforts the grieving, she gives hope to the desolate with her words. She knows that her tongue has power. And when her husband, her king is stressed out and discouraged, she knows her words can heal him, and goes ahead to give him a dose of honey filled words.

May we strive to be like this beautiful woman. May we always use our words to praise, nourish and heal.

Proverbs 18:3b but the tongue of the wise brings healing

Baking and practicing for perfection

Hi all,

Last month I had a seven day break for work and I had a wonderful time, I thank God. I was home all along. I finished a book, Americana by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie which I will do a review later and I loved it. I also did a bit of baking which is something I had purposed to do and I trimmed my hair cause it had so many split ends. I will write about that later too.

I have never really baked in an oven. Our home oven was mostly decorative because no one ever uses it. So I just started without a clue of what to do! Guess what I learned from all this, Practice always makes perfect. I used only two recipes to cook, you have to start small lest you make a huge mess right? You can follow the links below for the recipes. Please note, I was using only what was available at home. So if an ingredient isn't withing my reach, skip :-)

1. http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/honey-cake-recipe - For the honey cake. I used raisins instead of almonds and margarine (blue band) instead of butter.

2. http://www.urbanfarmonline.com/sustainable-living/eat-local/whole-wheat-honey-cake.aspx - For the vanilla cake. I skipped the allspice, nutmeg, baking soda and sugar. I used lemon juice and peel.

The first day, the cake burnt after five minutes! imagine! And as if not enough, half of it overflowed from the baking tin and spill to the oven. It was such a mess. The second time was better but the cake cracked at the top. See, practice does make perfect-ish.

Next time I will take pictures.

In those kitchen moments, God was reminding me that we are all works in progress. And with enough practice, we near perfection everyday. Of what purpose are we here on earth if not to daily improve ourselves?

1st Cor 9:24-27
²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

My race, this time was cake baking to the glory of God as I please my family ( and they were very happy)
Tomorrow I will pick another race. and on and on it goes till I win the crown, till I meet my Jesus.

 Practice makes perfect.

A different kind of woman...

"The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of christian,
But the fact that I am a christian does make me a different kind of woman."
~Elisabeth Elliot 

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

Psalm 18:1