Apparently my 3 year old (nearly) daughter is a songwriter.

I was playing my guitar earlier today, and as usual Elena walked over and asked to start strumming the guitar. The difference is that this time, she started singing along. The tune was indiscernible, so I assume she was inventing it.

I think I captured the lyrics fairly accurately. Here they are.

Once upon a time
there was a happy little lady
and her name was mommy
and her name was mommy
and her name was mommy

And she was playing with her magic ball
and she was going to the potty
but she was not going in her pants
she was going all by herself
she was going
she was going
she was going
she was going
she was going
but not forever and ever.

Since rhubarb season is drawing to a close (experts say not to cut it after the summer heat hits the 90′s) I thought I’d post my favorite new recipe this month: Grandma Stribe’s “Talk of the Town” Rhubarb Muffins. (I gave the recipe this name because Grandma was raving about this recipe and told me that her friends and neighbors just loved it :) I’m a big fan, too!)

“Talk of the Town” Rhubarb Muffins

1 egg, beaten
2 t. vanilla
1/2 c. oil
1 c. buttermilk (OR 1 T. lemon juice mixed with 1 c. milk, let sit 5 min…I used this and it worked well)

1-1/4 c. brown sugar
2-1/2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1-1/2 c. rhubarb, finely chopped (so you get a rhubarb “kick” in each bite :))
1/2 c. nuts, chopped (optional)

Sugar topping:
1 T. butter, melted
1/3 c. sugar
1 t. cinnamon

Mix wet ingredients and add to combined dry ingredients. For sugar topping, mix sugar and cinnamon before adding melted butter. Fill 20 muffin cups and sprinkle on sugar topping. Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes, using toothpick test to determine “doneness.”

This is a great recipe to share with friends and neighbors since it makes such a big batch (20). Maybe it’ll be the talk of YOUR neighborhood soon!

We know that even in the Old Testament, people were justified before God by their faith, not adherence to the Law. (Though, those in the OT days who had faith desired to keep God’s law!)

I get asked occasionally, “What did faith look like in the Old Testament? If they didn’t have Christ, what did God want them to have faith in?”

I think that Psalm 119 in general, and these two lines from it specifically, reflect that kind of faith very well.

My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes long for your promise; I ask, When will you comfort me?
Psalm 119:81-82

We can still pray this today. We know that God’s Word and his promise IS Jesus! Psalm 119:81-82 would read something like this today:

My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in JESUS. My eyes long to see Jesus, When will you comfort me?