More Precious Than Gold

Good Reads from Around the Blogosphere

morepreciousthangold — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:11:31 +0000

Masking Anger as Justice over at Femina hit the nail on the head and was convicting and encouraging.

Sunday Morning Chaos made me chuckle. How true this is so often! I have found, like the author, that getting prepared the night before church helps keep the Sunday morning chaos down to a minimum. She has some sound advice. Though I can’t quite bring myself to agree about the pop tarts.

Al Mohler has a well written article, The Chicken of the Sea: A Modern Tale of Fear, Failure, and Cowardice, speaking to the tragic accident of the cruise ship Costa Concordia.

I recently came across the blog Heavely Springs. So many good things to read. I plan to read through her “Women of the Reformation” series very soon.

Can’t wait to try this delicious looking Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Cauliflower!

Next time you sit down at the end of a long day let it be a reminder to you of the gospel.

Valentine’s Day Sale at Salt & Pepper Creations

morepreciousthangold — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:05:16 +0000

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! If you are still looking for that perfect gift for someone special in your life head over to Salt & Pepper Creations. Now through February 14th all orders over $25 will receive free shipping. I can also take custom orders!

Jesus: The Joy Giver

morepreciousthangold — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:36:04 +0000

So many christians today walk around with a “woe is me” attitude. Just looking at them you assume they are in pain or distress. Frankly, talking to them makes you depressed.

Certainly we all go through hard and trying times. Trusting in Christ doesn’t mean we will never face difficulty. It does mean that we have a sovereign Saviour that we can trust to carry us through those hard times and to only do what is good and best in our life.

Do you have joy? Jesus Christ is the Joy giver, and if He is in you, then you should be showing forth that joy in your life. Are you showing that joy in your life today, Christian?

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. “

Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…”

Reading in 2012

morepreciousthangold — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:16:13 +0000

In 2010 I posted my year-long reading schedule and posted reviews as I finished each book. I am a list maker and a planner, so this was helpful to me and helped me stay accountable and put effort into making time to read. In 2011 I didn’t make a specific list, and I don’t think I posted many book reviews. And to be honest, without the list holding me accountable, I didn’t read as much. Of course in 2011 I was pregnant, started homeschooling, and then gave birth. So I suppose those things could have something to do with not accomplishing as much reading.

But, I did do some reading in 2011. And I read a lot of really great stuff. Some really challenging, encouraging, and helpful books. So I did want to share some of my favorite reads from this past year.

Helper by Design by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Elizabeth Prentiss ‘More Love to Thee’ by Sharon James

The Faithful Parent by Martha Peace and Stuart W. Scott

The Intimate Marriage by R.C. Sproul

Faithful Women & Their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper

Mission to the Headhunters by Frank and Marie Drown

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald

This year I want to challenge myself to read more than I did this past year, but allow myself a bit more flexibility than in 2010. So I am going to challenge myself to read 15 books this year, and to post reviews as I finish reading. Reading good books is a great way to learn and grow. I am praying that in 2012 the Lord will help me to learn and grow, in part through the books I read.

I have already started on a really great book this year and I can’t wait to share a review with you when I finish. What are you reading right now?

Merry Christmas from the Jones Family!

morepreciousthangold — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 02:24:25 +0000

Dear Friends and Family,

Once again as we send our Christmas greeting out to our friends and family we reflect on how good God is and how He continues to pour his abundant blessings out on our family.

This is our fourth Christmas here in Wausau and at the Harvest Baptist Church. God continues to teach us and bless us in our ministry here. We are continually thankful for the beautiful area in which we live, and the wonderful church family that God has blessed us with.

This year has brought several new experiences for our family. Most exciting was the birth of our third son, Myles Haddon. Myles was born on October 22, and missed sharing Isaac’s birthday by only 50 minutes! He is a healthy, beautiful, and sweet baby. He has brought so much joy and fun into our family. Isaac and Hudson love their little brother…nearly to death at times! They think he is pretty special and love to kiss and hug him constantly.

We also started home schooling this year. Isaac started kindergarten in September. He is doing very well and learning easily and quickly. His favorite subject is science, and his least favorite is handwriting. It has been fun to see him growing and learning in this new stage of his life.

Isaac turned six in October, and Hudson will be four in January. While we at times are sad at how quickly the time is passing and how fast they are growing up, we also are enjoying them as they are more independent and becoming little men. Every new stage is another adventure in parenting!

As always, God has been very good to the Jones family, and we eagerly anticipate his continued blessings in 2012. We pray that God will also pour his blessings upon you in the year ahead.

Much Love,

Adam, April, Isaac, Hudson, and Myles Jones

Celebrating Christmas with Three {Finer Things Friday}

morepreciousthangold — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 04:31:05 +0000

This year we have the joy of celebrating the Christmas season with three little boys. Children seem to make the holiday season so much more fun and exciting….and this year we have three times the fun and excitement! Definitely a Finer Thing!

Faithfulness and Fruitfulness

morepreciousthangold — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:15:33 +0000

“Faithfulness is our business; fruitfulness is an issue that we must be content to leave with God.” – J.I. Packer

Family Pictures 2011

morepreciousthangold — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:49:18 +0000

My mom took our family pictures this week….and it was a bit chilly at 38 degrees! But we didn’t let a little cold stop us! We had been waiting for Myles to be born so we could have him in the picture….and we just haven’t gotten around to it until now. I think we had the world’s fastest family photo shoot because we were in a hurry due to the cold. We wore our coats and took them off just before the picture, and inbetween each pose we put Myles in his carseat and bundled him in to keep warm while my mom got situated and got everyone posed. We only took four different poses in less than 20 minutes, but I was pretty pleased with how they turned out! Thanks to my mom for taking them!

Family {Finer Things Friday}

morepreciousthangold — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 03:36:34 +0000

Today my sister, Katie, stopped by our house and took Hudson grocery shopping with her.

Last week my grandma held a sweet sleeping Myles for probably close to two hours.

Every Wednesday my mom comes and does school with Isaac.

My sister Katie, and brother-in-law Aaron come over every Sunday night after church for dinner at our house.

Tomorrow I will be a hunting widow as my hubby heads to the woods for opening day of gun season. But the boys and I will be spending the afternoon at my mom and dad’s house.

Sometimes my dad stops by our house unannounced when we he’s in town and has a few minutes to spare.

Tonight Adam and I and the boys when out to Applebee’s for dinner with Katie and Aaron.

Every Tuesday my grandma and I go grocery shopping together.

Having family around is a Finer Thing!

Brotherly Love {Finer Things Friday}

morepreciousthangold — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:41:50 +0000

“He is so stinkin’ cute!”

“I can’t resist him!”

“Our baby is so cute!”

“I just can’t stop lovin’ on him!”

“Can I give him just one more kiss?”

“Can I hold the baby?”

I hear these phrases, and many more, from my three year old and six year old all day long. They love their baby brother. Brotherly love is a Finer Thing !