Settling In

The smell of supper fills our kitchen as I take a break after a few hours of cooking and cleaning. For my efforts, dinner is essentially ready. Cheesy scalloped potatoes wait in the refrigerator to be baked, and the chicken continues to cook in the crock pot, where it will remain for at least another 6 hours. A salad will complete the meal.

Our kitchen overlooks the lovely 2 acre back yard of the home we are living in for now. The horse, Whiskey, is grazing as usual. The cat is not is sight, but I’m sure he’s near by. I can see the barn that Ben’s shop is in. It’s at the far end of the yard. It was built in a church barn raising some years back. Other than its lack of air conditioning, which is pretty brutal in the heat of the Florida summer, it is a perfect place for him to work. It’s so nice to have him around all the time… :)

We arrived home late last Tuesday night (May 27). We have since been busying ourselves with settling in and getting into a routine together. Ben has been living here since January, so I guess I’m the only one adjusting to being here…but I’m sure he’s got his own adjustments to make not being a bachelor any more. After a number of trips to my parents’ house over the past few weeks, most of my belongings and our wedding gifts are here, though they’re not all put away. Our friends and family were so generous to us, and it has really made for a quite comfortable beginning of our lives together. We have far more than we need and are ever thankful for God’s provision for us.

We are living in the home of some good friends of ours. Dave’s work has taken the family away for the majority of the next year, so we are using the entire house right now. We rearranged the basement, and will be staying down there when they are in town for relatively short spurts. We have a nice living area, a table to eat at, and our bedroom down there. Even though it’s a relatively small space, I’m confident we’ll be quite comfortable.

Being Ben’s wife is an immeasurable blessing. I’ll be sure to post about The Day before long, but for now I need to get going. I have a number of things I need to get done today, so I’m going to hop to it.

Blessings,

Mrs. Murch <3

Hello there!

Hello to all from the happy wife of Ben Murch! I’m sure you’ll all forgive my lack of posts as of late. :) My beloved husband and I are at his family’s home for a short stay before heading back to our home in Florida on Tuesday. Today, we have been married for two weeks, but in some ways, it feels as though we’ve been married forever. However, I still have moments when I look at him and am in awe at the fact that he truly is my own husband. I’ve learned over the past two weeks that there are innumerable blessings in having a godly husband, and we’ve only just begun! Our honeymoon is over, and it’s back to real life shortly. We’ve had a splendid time, but I am somewhat looking forward to getting home, and starting to build our life together. Next week, my full time job as a keeper at home begins, and I am thrilled. I have learned, though, that being a godly wife requires constant leaning on Christ; being Ben’s wife is wonderful…I just still have my sinful nature to contend with. Once we’re home, I’ll have time for a more thorough update, but for now, I’ll just leave you with a picture from The Day.

Blessings,

Mrs. Murch <3

Bad News…

The medical license of “Dr.” James Scott Pendergraft has been reinstated, despite the fact that he has murdered many children in the third trimester of pregnancy in direct violation of Florids statutes. It seems that Saturday was his first day back at Orlando Women’s Center slaughter house…he killed about 20 people.

Change

So, I’m laying here on the cozy sofa in my family’s den, about to go to sleep (it’s way past my bedtime). My two little buddies (one three, one five) are sleeping comfortably on a pallet on the floor. We met their Mom late last summer at the abortion clinic; her little boy is now nearing one month old. We went by to see them today, as we hadn’t seen them since she came home from the hospital after delivering her sweet son and her older two came over for a sleep over. They are an active couple of young men, but I love them dearly. :) The older one is snoring ever so slightly…

In our guest room, my beloved fiance’ is sound asleep. He came over this evening for supper, and helped me watch my little friends. Mom is scurrying around in the kitchen; Dad is reading in their room. What wonderful parents I have. I love Ben with all my heart, but I know I will miss not having my parents around all the time! I must admit…I am quite thankful we will be staying around this area for a while and not heading to another state right away. I a m so content here. Wonderful parents, wonderful church, wonderful fiance’, lovely home to live in with him free of rent once we are married…

This season of my life is quickly coming to an end. Three weeks from tomorrow, I will walk down the aisle on my dad’s arm and he will give me to Ben. I will go from being just a daughter to being a wife, and Lord willing, a mother eventually. What responsibility…what joy! While I very much look forward to May 10, I must try to savor each and every moment; this path I am walking on now I will never walk on again. May 10 a 1 o’clock, my life will become permanently intertwined with the life of another in such a real way that we will become one. I, like every girl, have looked forward to that day for my entire life. The fact that it is so soon approaching is quite surreal.

May God give me the grace to honor Him during this time. May He bless as I prepare for this unique calling of being a helper to my beloved Ben. May He be glorified in the remainder of our engagement, at our wedding, and throughout our marriage.

The five year old has stopped snoring now. All the lights are off; I think everyone is sleeping now besides me, so I reckon I will join them.

Until next time…

“…and they two shall become one flesh”

A little over three years ago, Ben Murch drove his brother and sister to meet me. We exchanged hellos, but there was not even a hand shake. Three years ago, Ben Murch came to Florida with his sister and they stayed at my house. I thought he was a nice guy, but did not even begin to foresee what God would have in store. We quickly became friends, and 27 months ago, he got my daddy’s permission to court me.

Friday night (March 21), he asked me to marry him. I, of course, said yes. And, Lord willing, on May 10, 2008 and 1 o’clock in the afternoon, Ben Murch and I will be united as husband and wife.

Managing my time

One of my biggest struggles is managing my time. It is so easy for me to get caught up in something and waste most of my day, letting important tasks fall to the side. Several areas of my life have been lacking as of late. I need to clean things out of my life and use my time as wisely as possible, for the sake of bringing glory to God. After all, time is one thing that cannot be recycled. Once a moment is gone, I can never, ever have it back, and I’ll give an account for each moment.

As of late, I’ve been wasting a lot of time. Many goals I set for myself have fallen to the wayside, and I need to get back on track. My devotions haven’t been happening every day, I haven’t been memorizing Scripture, my room is a mess, I’ve been going to bed too late and sleeping in, flute and piano are largely neglected…etc.

I’ve decided that tomorrow I’m going to set aside a good chunk of time to get myself organized. Perhaps I’ll sneak away for an hour or two with my Starbucks gift card and my laptop and get some things done, free from distraction. I want to make a workable schedule for myself and put it into practice ASAP.

So, my next few posts will likely be able my attempt to get myself back on track, by God’s grace, in the area of time management.

1954-2008

I found out this evening that my aunt’s ex-husband died of a massive heart attack yesterday afternoon. Even though they were divorced, he kept in touch with my mom. He left behind three children: one adult son, one teenage son, and a young daughter. They are all taking it very hard, as you can imagine. Please remember them in your prayers during this season.

Valentine’s Day with my Beloved

This was our third Valentine’s Day as a couple, but the first one we’ve actually been together for! For various reasons I didn’t think we were going to do anything, but Ben surprised me Thursday morning (of last week), and invited me to have a picnic with him to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Of course, I accepted his invitation. I began busying myself with getting ready, packing lunch (with some special things like sparkling grape juice and chocolate covered strawberries), and then he arrived. I answered the door, and he presented me with a beautiful bouquet of all different types of pink flowers. It’s lovely; they’re still alive a well! Shortly after he arrived at the house we headed out.

We spent the day at Bok Sanctuary. I read that it was the most romantic place to have a picnic in Central Florida, so that’s where we went. It is an absolutely beautiful place, with over 50 acres of beautifully planned gardens and trails. When we arrived, we enjoyed our picnic in a lovely wooded picnic area.

We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the breathtaking gardens, and then had dinner with my parents. It was a lovely day. I am so thankful for Ben. What a blessing it is for my heart to be held by a man who loves the Lord!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today marks half a century since the birth of my father. I remember when I was a little girl, talking to Dad and saying, eyes wide,  “Dad! When you turn 50, I’ll be 18!” At the time, it seemed so far into the future. It’s hard to believe it’s already here.

I have so many wonderful memories of my dad. There was the time he tried to teach me how to ride a bike in our back yard in Ohio (some of you may have seen the home video *grin*). There was my first time playing golf with him (after three holes, I sprawled out on the fairway). I remember the times he tucked me into bed at night (often staying up past when he wanted to go to bed because I was still putting my PJs on and brushing my teeth). We’ve even had inside jokes, things that only he and I laugh about when they’re brought up. I remember many of the times he stayed up later than usual to help me with my math homework. He’d explain things to me over and over again until I’d finally get it. He always had time for me.

The most amazing thing I remember about my dad, though, is how much he has changed. I remember when he was an unbeliever and then when he started going to church; I was 3 or 4. I remember when he and mom were baptized. I remember when God finally broke him and he started to really follow after Christ. I remember when he tried to read the Bible with me when I was still unconverted; I often fell asleep. I remember when he would practice his Evangelism Explosion outline on me, and when he’d come home each Thursday night with stories of the many he’d had the opportunity to share the gospel with, hopeful that maybe they had been saved.

I remember one night, after God had really started drawing me, Dad told me how he’d been praying for so long that my relationship with the Lord would become a priority in my life. He was sitting out in the driveway at our old house. It was night time and he was working on the car; I came out just to talk. It was just a few weeks after that when the Lord really arrested me for Himself, and I too, began to follow Him.

I know I often take for granted the privilege of having a father who loves the Lord and desires to please Him in everything he does. Many friends who don’t have that same privilege often remind me of this.  He consistently supports me in my service of the Lord. We haven’t always agreed on what’s best for my future, but the Lord has changed his heart in that regard. And, even when we didn’t agree, he encouraged me to do what I thought would please my Lord the most. He trusted that I was in good hands. :) He is a constant source of encouragement, and ever helpful in gaining a better understanding of the things of God. I could not ask for me.

With that said, I love you, Dad. Thanks for being so faithful to God, and faithfully leading our family for his glory. Happy birthday.

Why I and All of Mankind Deserve Eternal Torment

I received a comment from a reader on my Thanksgiving post, in which I stated that “I deserve nothing but eternal torment in the lake of fire.” She wrote,

Why do you deserve eternal torment? Have you committed horrible sins though you are so young? Why do you think that you are such a dreadful sinner?

I want to begin this post with a description of men from the book of Romans, chapter 3, verses 10-20.

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote,

There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And they way of peace have they not known; There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

This is not an attractive picture of mankind. However, it is true. Even David wrote in the 51st Psalm that we are conceived in iniquity. That is, we are evil from the womb. In Genesis, the Lord says that the thoughts of men’s hearts are only evil continually, and from their youth (right before he killed all but 8 people in the flood).

In Isaiah 59:2, we are told that our “iniquities have separated [us] from [our] God.” Sin is the transgression of the law. All people, throughout the entirety of their lives, break God’s laws intentionally, repeatedly, and without remorse. We lie and we steal. We are sexually immoral (if not physically, then in our hearts). We use the holy name of Almighty God as a curse word and drag it through the mud. We use His name in a way we don’t even use the name of our worst enemies! We dishonor our parents. We murder people in our hearts with our unrighteous anger.

Because of our sin, God is angry with us. The Bible even says, “God is angry with the wicked every day.” (Ps. 7:11) In Romans 1:18 we are told that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” Contrary to what is popularly taught in modern churches, God “hatest all workers of iniquity.”

Anyone who commits even one sin is guilty before God. “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do no commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now, if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2:1)

Because God is holy, and we are transgressors of His Holy law, we are deserving of His wrath. Yet, in His mercy, God provided a way for sinners such as me to be saved from His just wrath. Jesus shed His blood to pay the penalty for the sins of those who would be saved. In order to be forgiven, a person must repent and believe the gospel.