As I write this Newsletter; I have never been more conscious of the ticking of the clock and how time moves on and on – sometimes even faster than we can move in our minds.
With the state of our nation; time seems even stranger. So many things must be delayed because of precautionary fears. Time is so precious and we are forced to waste it in needless boredom and dismay.
I don’t like that! Yet; sometimes God requires that we stop and be still for a moment. Often a moment in time seems to take forever. That is especially true when all of your efforts to find normal again are slowly defeated.
August was supposed to be my week with my two oldest grands for G-Ma camp. Because we had some people who worked with my husband to suspect they had COVID 19 and because they had to get tested – we had to wait out the time and be careful too. No one had it – neither were we exposed; but it was a risk we could not take. “Just in case” we stayed away from the grands.
When life gives you lemons; you make lemonade; right? That is a lesson I’ve successfully implemented into my whole life; and if I had not; I would be telling you about even more wasted time!
When G-Ma camp got cancelled suddenly; I spent the week of horded, precious and treasured hours off from my “day job” trying to finish up my novels that have been put off for this reason and that reason (there is always another “reason.”
I’m very pleased to say the good thing that came from this problem is that my first published novel was finalized. Expect to see The Gospel Hidden in Genesis – Book One of Two to hit the presses in the very near future. I’ll keep you posted.
That is only one good thing that is coming up in August of 2020! There will be many more. Life is going to get better; and God is still writing our stories. Our time is in His hands.
REVIEWING JULY HAPPENINGS
Before we talk more about August though; let’s review what articles we did get accomplished in July. My regrets (right up front) about not getting to write about G-Ma camp or to produce those patriotic articles I had planned in July. There is still more of that to come in August though – because they are still being written.
COME AS A CHILD IN JULY
We had a great time in the COME AS A CHILD Bible Study all the way through July to August. We have worked our way up to The Book of Deuteronomy; Chapter Six.
A lot of the bible study lessons were about Moses warning the people of Israel about what to know before they crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land. We ARE going to get there folks – I promise – just stay with us. Everything good requires preparation ahead of time! If you want to review those July lessons; you can find them here: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/for-those-who-overcome/ https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/moses-pleads-with-god-to-cross-over/ https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/moses-warns-of-obedience-as-the-people-wait-at-pisgah/ https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/remember-to-keep-the-commandments/ https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/remember-god-needs-love-too/.
SEASONS IN JULY
July started out with a bang as we entered the month celebrating Independence Day. We brought you several articles. You may reference them here if you missed any of our 4th of July celebrations: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/independence-day-celebrations-of-2019/ https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/independence-day-celebrations-of-2018/https https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/july-family-tree-for-the-in-season-lifestyle/
There is truly nothing like a few national emergencies and an upcoming election to make you remember why you are glad to be living in America. It certainly makes me want to dig down deep into our roots and try to explain to those who can’t see those things that still make me want to keep the original values that the founders of our country put into place for us.
The main problem with that is that many do not even know these values. Many schools (and parents) have been lax in really teaching the things that Americans have traditionally held dear and unbreakable. Most of us have forgotten why and how we became such a great country; and we need to remember these things in order to carry on. We intended to spend July writing about a few of those subjects; but that will have to trickle over into August due to lack of time in the posting schedule. Something to look forward to!
PEN ART – IN JULY
One poem dominated our thoughts as we went through the last month – the very beautiful sanctity of life. It was expressed in poetry here: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/morning-poetry/.
PRODUCTS – FOR JULY
If you missed our line-up of products for July and would like to re-visit here you are most welcomed: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/the-in-season-lifestyle-community-store-for-july-2020.
PIECES OF THE PUZZLE IN JULY
We had a lot of deep thoughts in July; especially about social justice. Our series continues as we have delved into the history and hit the Holocaust in history’s timeline. As hard as it is to imagine or remember we must never forget what happened in this piece of the puzzle of history. It was hard to write because no words could offer justice to probably the most tragic part of social justice history. The article is here; if you wish to re-read: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/remembering-the-holocaust-the-history-of-social-justice/ .
Another rather serious, theological article we offered was one that considered the observance of Tisha B’ Av. It is traditionally a Jewish observance where they look back at the times the temple was destroyed and the times that their nation was punished for their sins. I’ve brought up the question as to whether or not Christians should observe this day too; in light of the fact that the new temple for us would be our bodies, the place where God’s Holy Spirit comes to dwell. Each body with God living inside is a piece of the spiritual temple; and there is always more restoration, preparation and repentance to be done. I’ve come to believe that this observance in a more “spiritual” sense would be a good thing. You can review the article here: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/did-you-fast/ .
ARTICLES COMING IN AUGUST
We have so many ideas and subjects of interest! Hopefully we can squeeze them all in; but we will do what we can:
AN APPLE A DAY
We have totally slipped on all of the “better health” articles we started at the first of the year. This isn’t intentional and we hope to get back on track in August. Let’s get healthy before the fall season arrives so that we can go out and play in the beauty of the earth.
OH THE PLACES WE SHOULD GO
Just a few weeks ago we had the pleasure of our first visit to Tuscumbia, Alabama. This little dot on the map is full of surprises and adventures. We hope to do the first of several articles soon.
THE HOUSE DOCTOR
It really began in July; this new feeling of patriotism that has come into our neighborhood. Suddenly the place filled up with American Flags! This has been beautiful to behold and we want to do a whole article on how to let the outside of your home express your patriotism. Be looking for some flag-flying articles to hit the press in August; along with our series of new articles about the roots and foundations of America.
SEASONS
Beginning August 21st is the time of Elul. It is a time of self examination and renewal of our souls before our Great God. Come along and join in with us as we bring forth a different devotion of each of these days leading up to The Days of Awe and The Fall Feast and Festivals of God.
PIECES OF THE PUZZLE
We have realized that we skipped an important part of the historical timeline when we began studying the history of social justice. This month we will go back and look at the injustices that were done to The American Indian. It has become apparent that we could continue history lessons on injustice forever. There is probably not one people group on earth that has not been affected at some point in time.
Hopefully after just a few more historical lessons we will be able to get back on track with answering our ten original questions. Eventually we will have to drop studying history in order to complete our thoughts! Still; so much history is very insightful about the way humans handle and process such events. Studying the history has clarified to me and my own heart many of the areas where we go wrong in addressing these issues. Keep reading!
MONDAY NIGHT MENUS
I’m throwing away shelves of old cookbooks; but first I’m documenting the recipes of many side-dishes that I do not want to forget. If you are still looking for more “front-porch” dinner ideas; you may get inspired in August. The focus will still be for using those healthy vegetables from the garden.
PEN ART
PEN ART topics in August will focus on two new book reviews; one being Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life – An antidote to Chaos; and the other being my own new novel; The Gospel Hidden in Genesis. I hope it is okay to review your own book!
We may get a bit crafty in August too. I’ve found a few patriotic coloring books that are amazing which I wish to share with you all; plus we have some new ideas for painting rocks that can be hidden in order to make someone’s day more special.
That about sums up our thoughts for August; but I can guarantee there will be a few new surprises along the way.
Thank you for being one of our IN SEASON Community readers; and keep living out 2 Timothy 4:2 every day!
Gail Landgraf/Author/Publisher/Blogger for The IN SEASON Lifestyle