The Blended Blog: Preserving the Best of Summer

C.H. Spurgeon's Morning Devotional

Sunday June 22, 2025

"He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory."-Zechariah 6:13

    Christ Himself is the builder of His spiritual temple, and He has built it on the mountains of His unchangeable affection, His omnipotent grace, and His infallible truthfulness. But as it was in Solomon's temple, so in this; the materials need making ready. There are the "Cedars of Lebanon," but they are not framed for the building; they are not cut down, and shaped, and made into those planks of cedar, whose odoriferous beauty shall make glad the courts of the Lord's house in Paradise. There are also the rough stones still in the quarry, they must be hewn thence, and squared. All this is Christ's own work. Each individual believer is being prepared, and polished, and made ready for his place in the temple; but Christ's own hand performs the preparation-work. Afflictions cannot sanctify, excepting as they are used by Him to this end. Our prayers and efforts cannot make us ready for heaven, apart from the hand of Jesus, who fashioneth our hearts aright.

    As in the building of Solomon's temple, "there was neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron, heard in the house," because all was brought perfectly ready for the exact spot it was to occupy-so is it with the temple which Jesus builds; the making ready is all done on earth. When we reach heaven, there will be no sanctifying us there, no squaring us with affliction, no planing us with suffering. No, we must be made meet here-all that Christ will do beforehand; and when He has done it, we shall be ferried by a loving hand across the stream of death, and brought to the heavenly Jerusalem, to abide as eternal pillars in the temple of our Lord.

    "Beneath His eye and care,
    The edifice shall rise,
    Majestic, strong, and fair,
    And shine above the skies."

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Friday, August 30, 2013

Preserving the Best of Summer

Canning and Preserving Recipes - Gooseberry Patch Recipe Round Up

We're nearing the peak of the summer harvest and what better time to preserve all those fresh-picked flavors? Whether it's your own spicy salsa, freezer jam or bread & butter pickles, we'd love to hear what you're putting up this year!

So tell us...

What's YOUR favorite CANNING OR PRESERVING recipe? (Freezer & fridge recipes welcome too!)
Share 'em all in today's Recipe Round-Up.

Here's one we love from 101 Farmhouse Favorites.
They're part pickle, part bean and all delicious.

Aunt Ruths Dilly Beans | Gooseberry Patch Canning Recipe Round Up

Aunt Ruth’s Dilly Beans
This recipe was shared by longtime Gooseberry Patch friend, Laura Lett of Delaware, Ohio. She writes, "My mom, who always had a tremendous vegetable garden, passed this recipe along to me. A side of these flavorful green beans really perks up a simple meal!"

2 lbs. green beans, trimmed
4 1-pint canning jars and lids, sterilized
4 sprigs fresh dill
4 cloves garlic, sliced
Optional: 1 t. red pepper flakes
2-1/2 c. white vinegar
2-1/2 c. water
1/4 c. canning salt

Pack beans upright into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Divide dill, garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, evenly among jars. Combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Pour hot liquid into jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles by gently running a thin plastic spatula between beans and inside of jars. Wipe rims; secure with lids and rings. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes; set jars on a towel to cool. Check for seals. Makes 4 jars.

Link up YOUR favorite CANNING & PRESERVING recipes below and, if you're joining this hop, link back here by using our handy button below.

GBPRecipeRoundUp

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