Pause and Ponder: 1 Peter 1:1

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,"
1 Peter 1:1

"Peter,..."

In the beginning introduction we learn so much about Peter.

We learn that he accepted and believed and embraced the name Jesus gave him without clinging to his former identity.

He calls himself, "Peter." Not Simon--who he was. Or even Simon Peter in an attempt to cling to his former identity while trying to embrace his new one.

Instead, he simply refers to himself as Peter, the rock.

•••

The question I ask myself is, "Do I embrace the new identity the Lord has given me? Do I see myself the way He sees me, as a perfect, spotless Bride... as a new creation... as one free from condemnation? Or do I cling, somewhere in my spirit and in my mind, to who I was before Him?

•••

"an apostle..."

Peter's identification was not:

• with his former occupation (fisherman)

• or his location (region of Galilee)

• or his condemnation (the one rebuked by Jesus & the one that denied Him three times)

• not in His education (or lack thereof)

• nor his earthly relation (son of...)

• or even his acclamation ( I'm one of the twelve you know-wink, wink-- I've seen Moses--nudge, nudge)

• or his accumulation (I own a boat and my own business...)

• or his aspiration (One day I'm going to...)

Instead, his identity is in God's intention for his life--to be a messenger of the gospel and in his function as a living, active part of the body of Christ.

His identification was wrapped up in his determination to fulfill the commandment and will of God for his life.

"of Jesus Christ"

Not Jesus of Nazareth

Not Jesus, a carpenter

Not Jesus, son of Mary

Not Jesus born in Bethlehem

But Jesus Christ

In those two names Peter acknowledged that the man known in humanity as

Jesus from Nazareth, who was a carpenter,
son of Mary, born in Bethlehem

was fully, completely, totally Divinity.

Peter acknowledges Jesus as LORD, as Messiah, as fulfillment of prophecy and of God in the flesh.

•••

Lord, we come to You and ask for clarity so that we would see ourselves according to the truth of Scripture. By Your Spirit, may we cling to the identity You provided. We are simply sinners saved by grace. May we walk by Your grace to fulfill the calling and purpose You've ordained for us-- to worship You and give You glory.
Amen.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

(All future Daybook entries have been moved to my daily blog at Mishmash Maggie)

(To join Peggy and/or to see other daybook entries, click the photo)

FOR TODAY: Monday February 23rd, 2009...

Outside My Window...there is rain for next three days. Even though I desperately need the sun right now, the thought of raining is actually comforting.

I am thinking...about the hard season so many friends are in right now. I'm also thinking I need to purpose to make time to get together. I can't believe March is right around the corner.

I am thankful for... a few special talks I've had with my husband this week. We met with a young couple on Thursday night after church and it felt like we went on a double date. I am also thankful Andrea was willing to drive the kids home after church since Nana was taking Papa for an MRI.

From the kitchen... This week's dinners: Fajitas, Potato Leek Soup, Meatloaf, Chicken Something (grin) and Baked Fish.

I am wearing... Very soft flannel pajamas with polar bears on them. I woke up and started baking and realized I forgot to get dressed.

I am creating... 250 300 wedding invitations. We finalized the picture and I ordered them last night. This weekend our home will probably look like an assembly line.

I am going... to a private tropical island to soak up the sun, eat good food (that I don't have to cook) and read good books.

Okay not really, but I am going to try and get to Target this week for toothbrush head replacements and other household items.

I am reading... verses about Sarah in the Bible (still), my nighttime devotional, Nourishing Traditions and I checked out an armful of books on caring for aging parents. Besides being a catalyst for healthy dietary changes, these last few weeks have been an eye-opener that perhaps I should thoughtfully prepare for this season of life.

I am hoping... that the friends I've been praying for have a great week this week.

I am hearing... pages being turned and cars passing on the main road.

Around the house... I really need to tackle the Master bathroom.

One of my favorite things... the smell of baked goods in my house.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: The usual lessons for the kids (ballet, violin etc...), Wednesday after eye therapy we are taking a trip to the Kookoolan Farm in Yamhill and I know something is going on Friday but it is escaping me right now.

From the learning rooms: We start the Book of Ruth today and study the Minoan civilization. Our day-to-day home schooling posts are on my daily blog-- Mishmash Maggie

Picture Thought:

Still dreaming... don't mind me...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

(To join Peggy and/or to see other daybook entries, click the photo)

FOR TODAY: Monday February 16th, 2009...

Outside My Window...it looks like it will be a cold but beautiful winter day. I am so grateful to see the sunshine and blue skies.

I am thinking...about fourteen things all at once! I think I definitely need to start to FLY lady again.

I am thankful for... Facebook. I am getting to know my cousins better and am finally realizing how totally cool they are :)

From the kitchen... Dinners this week: Italian Wedding Soup, Roast Chicken, Spaghetti and Salmon.

I am wearing... a cute little black knit dress that is so comfortable with gray tights.

I am creating... 250 wedding invitations. You'll probably see this on here for a few weeks!

I am going...to take the girls to a special ballet class today (extra practice before their RAD exams), the grocery store and a short trip to Oregon Photo.

I am reading... verses about Sarah in the Bible (still), my nighttime devotional and Nourishing Traditions.

I am hoping... to see continued growing in grace and truth. The Lord is faithful to do the work... sometimes it's hard to see progress though...

I am hearing... pages being turned and cars passing on the main road.

Around the house... caring for my currently ill child and checking off my "To do" list-- one thing at a time.

One of my favorite things... receiving encouragement from friends via email or cards. They are always so perfectly timed and always very appreciated.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: The usual lessons for the kids (ballet, violin etc...), Wednesday night worship/Psalms devotional at our home, and Beauty and the Beast opens up at the high school on Friday--must get tickets to one of the shows. I can't wait to see Brooke and Joey!!

Picture Thought:


I love taking pictures of signs that catch my attention. I thought this one was so cute and funny. It was taken at Lego Land last summer.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

(To join Peggy and/or to see other daybook entries, click the photo)

FOR TODAY: Monday February 9th, 2009...

Outside My Window...the sun is trying very hard to break through the overcast skies. It is very cold outside. Brrrrrr.

I am thinking...about all the things I would like to do in the house this week. Mainly, de-cluttering and cleaning.

I am thankful for... knowing of my severe Vitamin D and ferritin deficiency. I am hoping that I will have energy soon and am thankful that there is an explanation for my lack of pep that isn't too serious.

From the kitchen... Pot Roast, wedge potatoes and veggies tonight. Hopefully leftovers tomorrow. Tacos on Wednesday. Thurs and Fri are still a mystery.

I am wearing... capris! Why? I'm freezing but they fit and were clean and available. I'm also wearing a brown hoody and of course lilac Uggs. I am a sight to behold!!

I am creating... a revision of the wedding invitation for David and Kristina. I also want to sew up a few skirts.

I am going...to the library later and on a few errands. The girls are invited to a pool birthday party and I'm positive their suits no longer fit. I've heard Costco has swimsuits right now. I hope it's true!

I am reading... verses about Sarah in the Bible, my nighttime devotional and I finally finished The Hobbit!!!

I ordered myself a book titled, "Nourishing Traditions" and I hope it comes this week.

I am hoping... for rapid improvement for my son's eye issues.

I am hearing... two kids having a snack in the kitchen and my other child taking a shower.

Around the house... I made a new batch of detergent up this weekend so laundry here we come.
We are giving away lots of old toys that the kids have outgrown. We are definitely in a new season around here.

One of my favorite things... getting together and having fellowship with women from our church. Saturday was such a blessing to me!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: The usual lessons for the kids (ballet, violin etc...)
and my Mom (Nana) comes back on Wednesday night so I'm sure we'll be busy catching up with her and hearing all about her trip.

Picture Thought:

This was an often played with toy in our house. The kids used to stage all kinds of shows to entertain us. When this was first given to us, my daughter would stand well short of those white stars in the middle of the curtain.

Now she is taller than the entire thing.

Where did the time go?

Edited to add: I forgot to mention our "Learning rooms" information is posted on my daily blog at Mishmash Maggie.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

(To join Peggy and/or to see other daybook entries, click the photo)

FOR TODAY: Monday February 2nd, 2009...

Outside My Window...it is another beautiful Monday-- crisp and clear and very welcomed.

I am thinking...very slowly since I have a cold and have been sick all weekend.
I am thankful for... my husband and children that took care of me this weekend. They did the housework I couldn't and they did it with joy.

From the kitchen... Clam Chowder tonight, Steak tomorrow and beyond that???

I am wearing... jeans, a green, long-sleeved v-neck T-shirt I picked up at Target for cheap and my ever warm Uggs.

I am creating... hopefully wedding invitations for David and Kristina at church.

I am going...to the library later and perhaps the grocery store. I need to make a trip to Trader Joe's.
I am reading... the same as last week-- My bible, my new before-bed devotional, Footsteps of the Flock, and J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit which is very good and has given me lots to think about. Smaug is dead, Thorin is dead and Bilbo and Gandalf are on their way home.

I am hoping...that I get well quickly. I am also hoping the I can keep up with schooling and house stuff this week.

I am hearing... music coming from upstairs, the strange sounds of a video game as the two younger children take a break from school.

Around the house... we are finishing up laundry. We have three or so more loads to go. We really need to do a deep clean and soon!

One of my favorite things... breathing...the Neti Pot...breathing...

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: The usual lessons for the kids (ballet, violin etc...) Saturday is the first Women's Event (?) since the start of this new church just over a year ago. I am looking forward to getting to know the women here better.

Picture Thought:


My son doing one of his eye exercises. The red stick is his "helicopter" which he positions over one of the "bad guys"--paperclips. If he can judge correctly and drop the helicopter straight down and land in the clip, he can take that bad guy off to jail.

It's harder than it looks!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

(To join Peggy and/or to see other daybook entries, click the photo)

FOR TODAY: Monday January 26th, 2009...

Outside My Window...it is so beautiful! The sky is clear and the sun is shining. A very nice surprise in the middle of Oregon winter.

I am thinking...about how much God has delivered me from, brought me through and that I'm safe with Him.

I am thankful for... His patient understanding of my human frailty. I am so comforted and freed by His grace that I can simply be--without any pretense. I am also thankful for eye therapists, home schooling and friends that understand the need to grieve evaluation reports. I'm very thankful my friends that have been here for me in person, on the phone and via email.

Thank you for coming along side a weary traveler and allowing me to just be.

From the kitchen... Torta on Monday, Thai Spicy Noodles on Tuesday, Chinese on Wednesday for a dinner meeting, Thursday I am hoping for leftovers and Friday either a soup or chili.

I am wearing... jeans I borrowed from a friend (I am very grateful for them), a fuchsia turtle neck shell with black cardigan ( I tend to favor twin sets) and my purple house Uggs because we have tile flooring and my feet are always cold.

I am creating... simplified math timing sheets for my son so they aren't too visually busy.
And in school this week, we are creating a model of the Tabernacle.

I am going...to have a busier routine than I thought I would this year but still very doable.
I just have to wrap my brain around the new schedule of therapy appointments and how to incorporate helping two kids with eye exercises until I am confident they are doing them correctly.

I am reading... the same as last week-- My bible, my new before-bed devotional, Footsteps of the Flock, and J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit which is very good and has given me lots to think about. I'm finally in Mirkwood, Bombur just got pulled out and is fast asleep.

I am hoping...that both my kids that are now in eye therapy progress quickly. I am hoping that I know just how much to challenge them without frustrating them. I am hoping that Jesus comes quickly.

I am hearing... my daughter cooking breakfast (I wonder if she'll make some for me too??), my son singing as usual while flying around a Lego spacecraft of some sort and my other daughter just coming down stairs after showering.

Around the house... still way too much to do. I really hope the sun being out will give me an extra boost of energy.

One of my favorite things... grapefruit. We bought a huge bag from Costco and they are very good.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: The usual lessons for the kids (ballet, violin etc...) as well as meeting with a young couple from church on Wednesday evening.

Picture Thought:

A very beautiful sunrise from last week.

Our home education updates are at my daily blog-- Mishmash Maggie.

Thanks for stopping by--may the Lord bless your week!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

(To join Peggy and/or to see other daybook entries, click the photo)

FOR TODAY: Monday January 12th, 2009...

Outside My Window...typical Oregon winter sky--gray, over cast and threatening to rain.

I am thinking...so many things... our busy week, a passage of Scripture I read this morning and it's application to my life.. schooling...

I am thankful for... our computer which helps provide me an outlet to write and create.

From the kitchen... I know Wednesday I'm making two trays of Chicken Devan-- one for us and one for a friend that just had a baby. But aside from that, I'm stumped and looking forward to reading other daybooks and getting some ideas.

I am wearing... capri length Asics running pants and a short-sleeved running shirt. I have no plans to run today but it is very comfortable!

I am creating...blog designs for a few friends.

I am going...to have a busy week. Wednesday night a meeting, Thursday a big evaluation for my younger two kids (eye specialist), Saturday a holiday party for hubby's work.

I am reading... the same as last week-- My bible, my new before-bed devotional, Footsteps of the Flock, and J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit which is very good and has given me lots to think about.

I am hoping...to get onto a more regular sleep schedule.

I am hearing... the washer, dryer, lunch being made, whistling and general sounds of a busy house.

Around the house... the laundry was a mountain this morning and is down to a hill, needs a good scrub from top to bottom and a good post-Christmas purging of "stuff."

One of my favorite things... being at peace with people and having good friends that are such a blessing to me.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Oops I think I covered that in the "I'm going" section.

Picture Thought: