When a cement wall needs to be demolished, it doesn't take a couple hits of a workman's hammer to knock it down. It requires someone with knowledge of the tools needed to knock the wall down. That person would come to the job came with three tools -- a sledge hammer and a regular workman’s hammer and chisel. First, with the sledge hammer, he began striking the wall with blow after blow. To a casual bystander, it appeared he was wasting his time. Ten, twenty, thirty blows, and not so much as a crack. But, on the thirty-sixth blow, a horizontal crack appeared in the wall. On the thirty-seventh, several cracks appeared in a spiderweb pattern. On the thirty-eighth, the whole wall was covered with cracks. Then, the contractor laid his sledge hammer down and with a workman’s hammer and chisel proceeded to bring the wall down one piece at a time.
I want to use this story to demonstrate persistence in using God's Word through prayer to demolish spiritual strongholds. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Paul defines strongholds as arguments, pretensions, or thoughts that set themselves against the knowledge of God. Any beliefs that have made their ways into our thinking that are contrary to truth as revealed in Scripture are strongholds of the Enemy that stand in the way of our knowing God and making Him known. For this reason, they hinder us in our walk with the Lord and in our prayer lives. Edgardo Silvoso’s definition sums it up very well- "A spiritual stronghold is a mind-set impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept as unchangeable, situations that we know are contrary to the will of God." The basis for strongholds is that we doubt (James 1:6-8) How do we deal this this doubt and the stongholds in our lives? That is where prayer comes in...
It's not just one prayer here and there as we are being pounded by the stronghold. It is praying without ceasing (I Thes 5:17). James 5:13-18 says "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing Psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit." It goes on to say in verse 19-20 "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." I believe that God has called us to be praying on behalf of others. He wants us to call on the victory that He has given us through His Son Jesus Christ. It is only by His grace that we are able to offer up prayers for others. And while praying for others, Satan is sure to be there casting doubt as God's answer may be "not yet, I haven't accomplished all that I have set out to accomplish in this situation". Satan will be pounding at your door hurling flaming arrows...but it is our responsibility to be "Submitting ourselves to God, Resisting the devil, and drawing night unto God" (James 4:7-8)Ephesians 6:16 says that it is our shield of faith that will quench those fiery darts of the wicked.
What does my faith look like in times of trouble? Am I a double minded man (James 1:8) or am I am man grounded in God's word, hoping for those things which I do not see the evidence for at this time? (Hebrews 11:1) Remember, one only needs the faith of a mustard seed. Matthew 17:20 says "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." If you are filled with unbelief, do not let Satan bind you in that. Agree quickly with him and run to Jesus for help~! It is better to ask for help now than let Satan cripple one our men in the army of God. A man brought his son who was filled with a spirit to the disciples to be healed. They were unable to heal him, but when Jesus came to them...by the time Jesus came, this father had little faith. Infact, he told Jesus, if you can't do anything with him - please have compassion on us and help us. Jesus responded to him in Mark 9:23 "If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes." At that point the man in verse 24 says "Lord, I believe; help me in my unbelief." Jesus then cast the demon out of the boy. My point here is that the father asked Jesus to help him with his unbelief. I think at times, we may need to be more vulnerable to God and tell him what is going on inside and ask Him to help us through it.
Psalm 145:13- "The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made" The degree of our faithfulness is the direct result of our regard for God's faithfulness. God's faithfulness (Aman) in the Old Testament can be translated firm, steady, sure, trust honesty safety and certainty. So what does faithfulness mean when applied to God? The faithfulness of God is His believability! What does faithfulness mean when it is applied to us? The faithfulness of a believer is his belief in God's believability~! Faithfulness is resting in His certainty, being persuaded by His honesty, trusting in His reality, being won over by his veracity....being sure that He's sure and believing He's worth believing. Deuteronomy 32:4 reminds us that God is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment; He is a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. Even when it doesn't look like God is paying attention or things are just going way wrong, we must remember that His ways are perfect. Psalm 115:11 says "Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; he is their help and their shield." God expressed His faithfulness to us in Christ, and Christ expressed His faithfulness to us in the Holy Spirit. Only through the Holy Spirit can we express our faithfulness to Him . Faithfulness is a fruit of the spirit. It is by God's grace that we are filled with faithfulness during the hard times.
The only weapon we have against Satan is truth. In John 17:17 - Jesus is interceding to His father and he says "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." When reading through the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-18) the only weapon that is mentioned is the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. It is through the Word of God that we expose the lies of the devil - Hebrews 4:12 says that "the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing assunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the heart." We must look for the promises that God has given us and pray according to His will. Jesus gave us an example of using the Word of God when he was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. (Luke 4:4,8,&12)It is also by the word of God that our faith is increased which will give us the strength to persevere. (Rom 10:17)This faith according to I John 4:5 is what will give born again Christians victory over the world. How exciting is that? When you feel defeated, come back to this verse and remember that the victory is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Spiritual strongholds are human reasonings that exalt themselves over the revelation of God’s will for our lives as revealed in Scripture. They are Satan's schemes to trip us up in our walk with the Lord. They breed hopelessness that paralyzes the faith we have in God’s promises and cloud our mind from being able to see God’s purposes for our lives and the lives of those for whom we pray. If we do not seek God for His wisdom and look to His Word for guidance we are in danger of giving into these strongholds when we are faced with life's challenges. Strongholds weaken our lives and make our prayers ineffective by causing us to become double-minded. We try to balance our own plans with God’s rather than dying to ourselves with a whole-hearted commitment to follow Him. In doing so, we build our lives on a shaky foundation and find ourselves praying prayers that waver through indecisiveness and unbelief. We must realize that we overcome strongholds in our lives by allowing God’s Word to be final authority in our lives. We allow the light of Scripture to expose our hearts, to bring us to repentance, to lead us to worship, and to recognize and resist Satan’s schemes against us. When we are persistent in using the sword of God’s Word against the strongholds of the Enemy, God will draw near to us, Satan will flee from us, the clouds of deception and blindness with dispel, and the walls of Satan’s strongholds will come down. What’s holding us back from a deepening intimacy with the Lord, greater victory over the Enemy, and a fruitful ministry and prayer life? It is our duty before God to allow the Lord to expose any strongholds that we have tolerated and to put the Sword to them. It is only after we are able to do this in our own life that we will be able to intercede on others behalf.
Remember, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
2 cans chickpeas
1/2 cup roasted red bell pepper
3 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 Tablespoon tahini
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup bean cooking liquid or vegetable broth
1. Place the chickpeas, red peppers, green onions, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, cumin, and pepper in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Add bean cooking liquid as needed to facilitate processing and achieve a smoother consistency.
2. Stored in a covered container in the refrigerator, leftover Roasted Red Pepper Hummus will keep for up to 3 days.
1/2 cup roasted red bell pepper
3 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 Tablespoon tahini
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup bean cooking liquid or vegetable broth
1. Place the chickpeas, red peppers, green onions, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, cumin, and pepper in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Add bean cooking liquid as needed to facilitate processing and achieve a smoother consistency.
2. Stored in a covered container in the refrigerator, leftover Roasted Red Pepper Hummus will keep for up to 3 days.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE~!
1. broken tooth
2. broken phone
3. broken dryer
4. broken insurance coverage
5. broken iPhoto
6. broken truck mirror (almost)
7. broken AT&T
- shipped phone to wrong address
- disconnected after talking with them & waiting for 30 minutes!
It just so happens that during the time that all of these things are braking...I'm doing a bible study from Beth Moore called "Living Beyond Yourself" and this week the topic is Patience. I want to share with you what I learned from her study this week. While the fruit of the spirit "Patience - is responding to people with mercy" I'm learning patience almost at every turn regarding my circumstances. The 1st 2 things on that list happened on Thursday last week and the last 5 happened on Monday this week. A feeling of being overwhelmed swooshed over me this Monday.
Well, I just wanted to share with you what I learned about patience. There are 2 types of patience in the Bible. The first one is hupomone - to persevere, remain under...bearing up under...it refers to that quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial. James 5:11 uses hupomone "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy" Job had lost his family, livestock, health, and he had negative friends feeding him the lies of the devil and yet he had patience and endured the hardships. Job had hope - a positive outlook toward an expected end. Do I have that type of hope? Job 23:10 says "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Do I believe that good is going to come from the trials that are in my life? Here are some verses to encourage us to "hope" in God and wait "patiently" for Him.
Hebrews 10:35&36 - "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."
Hebrews 12:1&2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
2 Timothy 2:10-12 - "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. [It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]: If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:
Without hope, there is no patience; without patience there is no maturity; without maturity there is no reflection; and with out reflection, there is no glory.
Colossians 1:27b - "Christ in you is the hope of glory"
The 2nd word for patience is "Makrothumia" - forbearance....self-restraint before proceeding to action. It is a patience in respect to people, inspired by mercy. This is to be longsuffering. I believe that patience in circumstances is much easier than being patient with people. I often become frustrated when I am trying to do things on my own. This patience must be an overflow of the Holy Spirit...it is Him working through us.
Patience is Void Of Judgment
When I look at the patience that God has for us...I find it amazing that He does put up with us. 2 Peter 3:9 says "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." and 2 Peter 3:15a goes on to say "Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation". Romans 2:4 says "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" We are saved because the Lord has chosen in His mercy to have patience with us by delaying judgement on us. He has shown us love and it is because of his goodness that we turn to Him. We love Him because He first loved us. When I think of the patience that He has shown me, how can I not be patient toward others and pray that God will work through me to lead others to Him.
Judgement and Patience do not go together~!
Romans 2:1-5 gives us 6 reasons why we must not judge others.
1. When we judge others, we cause God to be harder on us. (vs 1)
2. We do many of the same things we condemn in others. (vs 1)
3. We do not know the whole truth. (vs 2)
4. We are just human~! (vs3)
5. When we judge others, we are judging God. (vs 4)
6. God's judgment is always righteous. Ours in tainted by the flesh. (vs 5)
Matthew 7:1-5 gives us more reasons not to judge others
1. We will be judged with the same judgment that we are judging others with (vs 1&2)
2. We cannot judge the speck of sawdust in another's eye because of the plank in our own. (vs 3&4)
James 4:11-12
1. There is only one lawgiver and judge (James 4:12
2. Only God has noble purpose in His judgment
We judge to make ourselves fell righteous in comparison. God's judgment is not based on His ego.
John 8:14-18
1. Just like Christ's, our judgment would have to be completely consistent with God's. He must agree with us four our judgment to be valid.
-We judge by human standards (vs 15)
While God is the judge, He has chosen to show patience to each one of us and to delay the proceedings that would have meant our death. If He is patient with us and He has no sin, how patient must we be toward others with whom we share the same sin. Judgment strangles patience and grieves the Holy Spirit.
Patience involves Forgiveness
Matthew 18:15-35 talks about forgiveness and answers the question "how many times should we forgive?". Jesus taught them the answer with a parable about a merciless servant. Patience is the vessel through which God pours out His mercy. Mercy is fueld by forgiveness.
What is Biblical Forgiveness?
The Greek word is "aphiemi" which means "to let go from one's power, possession, to let go free, let escape". In other words...to cut one loose from judgment, bitterness, reaction.
Who & What must we forgive?
Luke 11:4 - "And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one"
Mark 11:25 - "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins"
Why Must we forgive?
1. We must forgive because of the very word forgiveness (apheimi). We are unable to be walking free in the Spirit of God if we are bogged down by the load of unforgiveness.
2.We must forgive because God's Word calls us to forgive.
Luke 6:37, and Matthew 6:14-15 shows us that God links His forgiveness of us to our forgiveness of others. Also, when we condemn others, we are condemning ourselves.
3. We must forgive for our own sakes
Look at Matthew 18:21-35, the first servant was delivered to the tormentors, while the second servant was cast into prison. A truth we can see here is that the one who will not forgive always suffers more than the one that is not forgiven. Unforgiveness tortures the person who harbors it.
4. We must forgive so that we do not provide Satan with the opportunity to take advantage of us.
2 Corinthians 2:10 & 11 - Paul says that he has forgiven whatever need to to be forgiven and whoever needed to be forgiven. He did this to keep Satan from getting the better of them. He says that we all know what goes on in the mind. Things like...anger, bitterness, guilt It is impossible to be filled with the Spirit and filled with unforgivenss. Only Satan wins in the war of unforgiveness.
5. We must forgive because we are not the only ones bound bu the rope of unforgiveness.
Remember what is bound on earth is bound in Heaven. Christ has a purpose in the pain that we suffer or He would never have allowed it~! (Romans 8:28)
6. Unforgiveness grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30-32)
How do we forgive?
Colossians 3:13 tells us the answer "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you."
How does God forgive us?
Psalms 85:2 says "You have forgiven the guilt of your people-- yes, you have covered all their sins." He has forgiven us 100%~!
IJohn 1:9 -"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Psalms 103:12 - He removes our sins from us as far as the east is from the west
Jeremiah 31:34 -"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." He remembers our sins no more
I am so thankful for the forgiveness that God has given me, and I pray that He will work in my heart to truly forgive others. Love hardly even knows when it has been wronged. Before doing this study, I didn't realize all the things that go along with patience...mercy, no judgment, and forgiveness. I am not perfect, and I now get to add patience to my list in a new light of areas that I need to work on. I would recommend this Bible Study to everyone...It is going through the Fruits of the Spirit and each week, God is opening my eyes little by little and revealing things to me that I haven't seen before. I am thankful for his Patience with me.
2. broken phone
3. broken dryer
4. broken insurance coverage
5. broken iPhoto
6. broken truck mirror (almost)
7. broken AT&T
- shipped phone to wrong address
- disconnected after talking with them & waiting for 30 minutes!
It just so happens that during the time that all of these things are braking...I'm doing a bible study from Beth Moore called "Living Beyond Yourself" and this week the topic is Patience. I want to share with you what I learned from her study this week. While the fruit of the spirit "Patience - is responding to people with mercy" I'm learning patience almost at every turn regarding my circumstances. The 1st 2 things on that list happened on Thursday last week and the last 5 happened on Monday this week. A feeling of being overwhelmed swooshed over me this Monday.
Well, I just wanted to share with you what I learned about patience. There are 2 types of patience in the Bible. The first one is hupomone - to persevere, remain under...bearing up under...it refers to that quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial. James 5:11 uses hupomone "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy" Job had lost his family, livestock, health, and he had negative friends feeding him the lies of the devil and yet he had patience and endured the hardships. Job had hope - a positive outlook toward an expected end. Do I have that type of hope? Job 23:10 says "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Do I believe that good is going to come from the trials that are in my life? Here are some verses to encourage us to "hope" in God and wait "patiently" for Him.
Hebrews 10:35&36 - "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."
Hebrews 12:1&2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
2 Timothy 2:10-12 - "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. [It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]: If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:
Without hope, there is no patience; without patience there is no maturity; without maturity there is no reflection; and with out reflection, there is no glory.
Colossians 1:27b - "Christ in you is the hope of glory"
The 2nd word for patience is "Makrothumia" - forbearance....self-restraint before proceeding to action. It is a patience in respect to people, inspired by mercy. This is to be longsuffering. I believe that patience in circumstances is much easier than being patient with people. I often become frustrated when I am trying to do things on my own. This patience must be an overflow of the Holy Spirit...it is Him working through us.
Patience is Void Of Judgment
When I look at the patience that God has for us...I find it amazing that He does put up with us. 2 Peter 3:9 says "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." and 2 Peter 3:15a goes on to say "Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation". Romans 2:4 says "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" We are saved because the Lord has chosen in His mercy to have patience with us by delaying judgement on us. He has shown us love and it is because of his goodness that we turn to Him. We love Him because He first loved us. When I think of the patience that He has shown me, how can I not be patient toward others and pray that God will work through me to lead others to Him.
Judgement and Patience do not go together~!
Romans 2:1-5 gives us 6 reasons why we must not judge others.
1. When we judge others, we cause God to be harder on us. (vs 1)
2. We do many of the same things we condemn in others. (vs 1)
3. We do not know the whole truth. (vs 2)
4. We are just human~! (vs3)
5. When we judge others, we are judging God. (vs 4)
6. God's judgment is always righteous. Ours in tainted by the flesh. (vs 5)
Matthew 7:1-5 gives us more reasons not to judge others
1. We will be judged with the same judgment that we are judging others with (vs 1&2)
2. We cannot judge the speck of sawdust in another's eye because of the plank in our own. (vs 3&4)
James 4:11-12
1. There is only one lawgiver and judge (James 4:12
2. Only God has noble purpose in His judgment
We judge to make ourselves fell righteous in comparison. God's judgment is not based on His ego.
John 8:14-18
1. Just like Christ's, our judgment would have to be completely consistent with God's. He must agree with us four our judgment to be valid.
-We judge by human standards (vs 15)
While God is the judge, He has chosen to show patience to each one of us and to delay the proceedings that would have meant our death. If He is patient with us and He has no sin, how patient must we be toward others with whom we share the same sin. Judgment strangles patience and grieves the Holy Spirit.
Patience involves Forgiveness
Matthew 18:15-35 talks about forgiveness and answers the question "how many times should we forgive?". Jesus taught them the answer with a parable about a merciless servant. Patience is the vessel through which God pours out His mercy. Mercy is fueld by forgiveness.
What is Biblical Forgiveness?
The Greek word is "aphiemi" which means "to let go from one's power, possession, to let go free, let escape". In other words...to cut one loose from judgment, bitterness, reaction.
Who & What must we forgive?
Luke 11:4 - "And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one"
Mark 11:25 - "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins"
Why Must we forgive?
1. We must forgive because of the very word forgiveness (apheimi). We are unable to be walking free in the Spirit of God if we are bogged down by the load of unforgiveness.
2.We must forgive because God's Word calls us to forgive.
Luke 6:37, and Matthew 6:14-15 shows us that God links His forgiveness of us to our forgiveness of others. Also, when we condemn others, we are condemning ourselves.
3. We must forgive for our own sakes
Look at Matthew 18:21-35, the first servant was delivered to the tormentors, while the second servant was cast into prison. A truth we can see here is that the one who will not forgive always suffers more than the one that is not forgiven. Unforgiveness tortures the person who harbors it.
4. We must forgive so that we do not provide Satan with the opportunity to take advantage of us.
2 Corinthians 2:10 & 11 - Paul says that he has forgiven whatever need to to be forgiven and whoever needed to be forgiven. He did this to keep Satan from getting the better of them. He says that we all know what goes on in the mind. Things like...anger, bitterness, guilt It is impossible to be filled with the Spirit and filled with unforgivenss. Only Satan wins in the war of unforgiveness.
5. We must forgive because we are not the only ones bound bu the rope of unforgiveness.
Remember what is bound on earth is bound in Heaven. Christ has a purpose in the pain that we suffer or He would never have allowed it~! (Romans 8:28)
6. Unforgiveness grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30-32)
How do we forgive?
Colossians 3:13 tells us the answer "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you."
How does God forgive us?
Psalms 85:2 says "You have forgiven the guilt of your people-- yes, you have covered all their sins." He has forgiven us 100%~!
IJohn 1:9 -"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Psalms 103:12 - He removes our sins from us as far as the east is from the west
Jeremiah 31:34 -"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." He remembers our sins no more
I am so thankful for the forgiveness that God has given me, and I pray that He will work in my heart to truly forgive others. Love hardly even knows when it has been wronged. Before doing this study, I didn't realize all the things that go along with patience...mercy, no judgment, and forgiveness. I am not perfect, and I now get to add patience to my list in a new light of areas that I need to work on. I would recommend this Bible Study to everyone...It is going through the Fruits of the Spirit and each week, God is opening my eyes little by little and revealing things to me that I haven't seen before. I am thankful for his Patience with me.
Snowman Cake & Cupcakes
Our neighbor let us use their shovel as we have lived here for almost 3 years, but still do not own a shovel...shows you how often we get a good snow around here. Well, I decided to make them a Snowman cake. I made it out of a 9*13in cake...just cut out the snowman shape and frosted it.
This was the first cake that I've ever tried to decorate artsy. AND as you can tell, I picked a super easy cake to start with. ALL one color~! I use M&M's for the eyes, mouth, and buttons...and a Starburst for the nose. SIDE NOTE - this was the same night that I broke my tooth while eating a Starburst~! I'm looking forward to learning more about decorating cakes. I just found out that Michael's is offering a cake decorating class starting in April...I'm hoping to be able to take that class~!
So after I made this cake, the neighbors were not home. I missed them for 3 days in a row. NOW how crazy is that....so the 3rd night, I decided to give it to my other neighbor before taking the dogs on a walk. I step out of the door with cake in hand, and they were gone to. Needless to say, after that walk, the cake was mine & Tim's. It was super yummy and didn't last long :)
This was the first cake that I've ever tried to decorate artsy. AND as you can tell, I picked a super easy cake to start with. ALL one color~! I use M&M's for the eyes, mouth, and buttons...and a Starburst for the nose. SIDE NOTE - this was the same night that I broke my tooth while eating a Starburst~! I'm looking forward to learning more about decorating cakes. I just found out that Michael's is offering a cake decorating class starting in April...I'm hoping to be able to take that class~!
So after I made this cake, the neighbors were not home. I missed them for 3 days in a row. NOW how crazy is that....so the 3rd night, I decided to give it to my other neighbor before taking the dogs on a walk. I step out of the door with cake in hand, and they were gone to. Needless to say, after that walk, the cake was mine & Tim's. It was super yummy and didn't last long :)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Choices
Why do I choose to be nice...even when I am not treated nicely?
* Because God has chosen to respond to my sin with GRACE.
We are to have the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5) He died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins while I was still a sinner (Romans 5:8) It is God's grace that carries us from our sin into His forgiveness. (Ephesians2:8&9) Also, that grace was a gift of God's. Me showing grace to another person is a gift from me to them. It is only by God's grace that we are able to love anyone who hurts us. I think of the ways I have hurt God, but yet He continues to love me and continually shows His love for me in tangible ways. My passion and compassion for others is my response to the grace that He has given us. It is only by the grace of God that I am where I am today. My desire is to share that grace with others, that they may know HIM.
I Peter 4:1&2 "So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning. And you won't spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God." The same attitude there is translated- mind - in the King James Version of the Bible. If we have the same attitude of Christ we will not bend towards sin. I Peter 3:17 says "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing" and earlier...Peter in I Peter 3:8 & 9 says "Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it." Peter says that we will be blessed if we respond to evil with good!
*God will fight our fight for us.
Romans 12:19 "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath {of God,} for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord."
Exodus 14:14 "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
* We need to put others first.
Eph 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Phil 2:3 - "In humility consider others better than yourselves"
This verse doesn't say that we only need to consider those people that are nice to us better than ourselves. It says OTHERS~! That is everyone - the good, the bad and the ugly~!
* We will reap what we sow~!
Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."...and it goes on to say in verse 9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
This is just the beginning of why I must treat others with kindness...even when I am not being shown kindness. This is a choice that I must make. Please add to my list~! We all need reminders to respond to others with kindness.
Two choices on the shelf,
pleasing God or pleasing self!
* Because God has chosen to respond to my sin with GRACE.
We are to have the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5) He died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins while I was still a sinner (Romans 5:8) It is God's grace that carries us from our sin into His forgiveness. (Ephesians2:8&9) Also, that grace was a gift of God's. Me showing grace to another person is a gift from me to them. It is only by God's grace that we are able to love anyone who hurts us. I think of the ways I have hurt God, but yet He continues to love me and continually shows His love for me in tangible ways. My passion and compassion for others is my response to the grace that He has given us. It is only by the grace of God that I am where I am today. My desire is to share that grace with others, that they may know HIM.
I Peter 4:1&2 "So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning. And you won't spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God." The same attitude there is translated- mind - in the King James Version of the Bible. If we have the same attitude of Christ we will not bend towards sin. I Peter 3:17 says "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing" and earlier...Peter in I Peter 3:8 & 9 says "Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it." Peter says that we will be blessed if we respond to evil with good!
*God will fight our fight for us.
Romans 12:19 "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath {of God,} for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord."
Exodus 14:14 "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
* We need to put others first.
Eph 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Phil 2:3 - "In humility consider others better than yourselves"
This verse doesn't say that we only need to consider those people that are nice to us better than ourselves. It says OTHERS~! That is everyone - the good, the bad and the ugly~!
* We will reap what we sow~!
Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."...and it goes on to say in verse 9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
This is just the beginning of why I must treat others with kindness...even when I am not being shown kindness. This is a choice that I must make. Please add to my list~! We all need reminders to respond to others with kindness.
Two choices on the shelf,
pleasing God or pleasing self!
Trash to Treasure
So I've been needing to clean my carpets. In the past, I've borrowed a carpet cleaner from Margaret. But this time, I decided that I needed my own. If I'm going to have dogs...I'm going to want to clean my carpets, and not have to ask a friend every time I want to clean them. All last week, I was wanting to buy one, but just did not feel peace about going to the store and putting it on my credit card. I have so many things that I want more than a carpet cleaner really! You know, I never did pray about this, but obviously the Lord knew my heart and my needs. He knows our needs even before we open our mouths to tell Him.
Well, Monday, I went out for tea and crumpets :) with Amy. It was so nice to see her again and catch up! I hope we can get together again soon. On the way home, I noticed someone had a carpet cleaner at the end of their driveway for the trash truck to take away. I was talking on the phone to my mom and said...hold on mom, I have to get this carpet cleaner....I've been wanting this exact one~! She was like, "Brook, if it's in the garbage, it's probably there for a reason. Next, it's going to be sitting in your garbage". Not to be discouraged, I stopped and put the cleaner in my trunk. Took it home and plugged it in...WALLA! It works~! I've cleaned my carpets now, and I think they look great.
I'm so thankful that God chooses to bless us~! He didn't have to do that for me. But He chose to. Now, I need to choose to bless others~!
One person's trash is another person's treasure~!
Well, Monday, I went out for tea and crumpets :) with Amy. It was so nice to see her again and catch up! I hope we can get together again soon. On the way home, I noticed someone had a carpet cleaner at the end of their driveway for the trash truck to take away. I was talking on the phone to my mom and said...hold on mom, I have to get this carpet cleaner....I've been wanting this exact one~! She was like, "Brook, if it's in the garbage, it's probably there for a reason. Next, it's going to be sitting in your garbage". Not to be discouraged, I stopped and put the cleaner in my trunk. Took it home and plugged it in...WALLA! It works~! I've cleaned my carpets now, and I think they look great.
I'm so thankful that God chooses to bless us~! He didn't have to do that for me. But He chose to. Now, I need to choose to bless others~!
One person's trash is another person's treasure~!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Books That I have read this year :)
My goal this year is going to be to read 52 books...so we'll see how I do as the year goes on.
1. Hope For the Separated - Gary Chapman (Thanks Rebekah)
2. Christian in Complete Armour - (Thanks Mom)
3. The Invisible War - (Thanks Kim)
4. A Wife After God's Own Heart - Elizabeth George
5. Creative Counterpart - Linda Dillow (Thanks Becky)
6. The Excellent Wife - Martha Peace
7. They Said It Wasn't Possible - Karen R Hurd
8. Thy Word In My Mouth - Ruth G Dewing (Thanks Angela)
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1. Hope For the Separated - Gary Chapman (Thanks Rebekah)
2. Christian in Complete Armour - (Thanks Mom)
3. The Invisible War - (Thanks Kim)
4. A Wife After God's Own Heart - Elizabeth George
5. Creative Counterpart - Linda Dillow (Thanks Becky)
6. The Excellent Wife - Martha Peace
7. They Said It Wasn't Possible - Karen R Hurd
8. Thy Word In My Mouth - Ruth G Dewing (Thanks Angela)
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Thursday, February 19, 2009
God's Promises
Knowing that the quarrel is God's surely He will not have you go forth to war at your own expense~! I am so thankful for that statement...so many times I feel like I'm in it on my own, and I forget that this is God's battle and if we are trusting in Him, it is his obligation to prove Himself trustworthy. He has bound Himself with promises that He has made in His word.
* I Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
*James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
*James 4:7&8a - Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh unto you.
*James 4:10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
*James 5:11 - Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and o9f tender mercy.
*I Peter 5:6-11 - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him;for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
*Romans 6:14 - For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.
*Matthew 6:33 & 34 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
*I John 4:4 - Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
These are just a few of God's promises to us, and I am thankful for them. It's not always that we remember them...but He does remember them and abides by them. Has God ever broken a promise? When Satan comes against you, remember that it is God and no other that justifies you. I John 3:20 says..."For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." Sometimes...I think my heart starts to believe the lies that Satan is telling it...just as Eve believed his lies in the Garden of Eden, but I need to remember that God is greater than our heart. He knows everything...and it is in His love, grace, and mercy that I need to rest in.
I've been reading the series "The Christian in Complete Armour" and would recommend it to everyone~!!!!!!! Some statements I'd like to share from this book are as follows:
*One Almighty is more than many 'mighties'!
*Begin the work God has given you, and you will engage His strength for you; run from your work, and you engage God's strength against you.
*Never let the weakness of your faith keep you from the presence of God.
Thank you Lord, for the trials you have brought in my life. I only pray that I will run this race of life with patience (Heb 12:1) and may I be filled with the fruits of righteousness that You may be glorified above all(Phil 2:11). Help me to forget those things that are behind, and press forward in your grace.(Phil 3:13-15) Lord, please fill me with Your love for others. Love that is patient, kind, doesn't envy, doesn't boast, is not proud, is not rude, is never obscene, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no records of wrongs, does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth, that always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always hangs in there, and last but not least does not fail. (I Corinthians 13) It is only through You that I am able to love as you have loved and Lord, please pour that power of yours into me. I submit myself to You and resist the devil and claim James 4:10 that he will flee from me. As the man in Mark 9:24 called out to you, I say "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" It is through faith in You that You will carry out what You have said You will do that I ask all of these things in Jesus name. Amen
* I Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
*James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
*James 4:7&8a - Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh unto you.
*James 4:10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
*James 5:11 - Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and o9f tender mercy.
*I Peter 5:6-11 - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him;for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
*Romans 6:14 - For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.
*Matthew 6:33 & 34 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
*I John 4:4 - Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
These are just a few of God's promises to us, and I am thankful for them. It's not always that we remember them...but He does remember them and abides by them. Has God ever broken a promise? When Satan comes against you, remember that it is God and no other that justifies you. I John 3:20 says..."For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." Sometimes...I think my heart starts to believe the lies that Satan is telling it...just as Eve believed his lies in the Garden of Eden, but I need to remember that God is greater than our heart. He knows everything...and it is in His love, grace, and mercy that I need to rest in.
I've been reading the series "The Christian in Complete Armour" and would recommend it to everyone~!!!!!!! Some statements I'd like to share from this book are as follows:
*One Almighty is more than many 'mighties'!
*Begin the work God has given you, and you will engage His strength for you; run from your work, and you engage God's strength against you.
*Never let the weakness of your faith keep you from the presence of God.
Thank you Lord, for the trials you have brought in my life. I only pray that I will run this race of life with patience (Heb 12:1) and may I be filled with the fruits of righteousness that You may be glorified above all(Phil 2:11). Help me to forget those things that are behind, and press forward in your grace.(Phil 3:13-15) Lord, please fill me with Your love for others. Love that is patient, kind, doesn't envy, doesn't boast, is not proud, is not rude, is never obscene, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no records of wrongs, does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth, that always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always hangs in there, and last but not least does not fail. (I Corinthians 13) It is only through You that I am able to love as you have loved and Lord, please pour that power of yours into me. I submit myself to You and resist the devil and claim James 4:10 that he will flee from me. As the man in Mark 9:24 called out to you, I say "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" It is through faith in You that You will carry out what You have said You will do that I ask all of these things in Jesus name. Amen
Friday, February 13, 2009
Frugal Friday
If you have pets, save your used dryer sheets. This past week, I saw on a website that you can use your used dryer sheets as a lint roller for pet hair. I was very excited about this as I use my lint roller way too much on our cream couches. What ever possessed me to buy cream slip covers for our couches when we have 2 dogs with dark hair, I do NOT know.
Well, tomorrow, I'm having my Pampered Chef party...which I'm very excited about. BUT what I was not excited about doing today was taking the couch covers off to wash them...thank God, he brought to memory the used dryer sheet. So I just tried it and I'm amazed. I will not have to take the slip covers off~! They look great~!!!!! I will be saving all my dryer sheets from now on. They also make your furniture smell good too.
YEAH for dryer sheets~!
Well, tomorrow, I'm having my Pampered Chef party...which I'm very excited about. BUT what I was not excited about doing today was taking the couch covers off to wash them...thank God, he brought to memory the used dryer sheet. So I just tried it and I'm amazed. I will not have to take the slip covers off~! They look great~!!!!! I will be saving all my dryer sheets from now on. They also make your furniture smell good too.
YEAH for dryer sheets~!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Crossing The Jordan
If we would only move straight ahead in faith, the past would be opened for us. But we stand still, waiting for the obstacle to be removed, when we ought to go forward as if there were no obstacles at all...
When the Israelites went to cross the Jordan, it's waters were opened once they set foot in it. Can you imagine having the faith that the waters were going to split and there would be an open path to walk on. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says we are to walk by faith and not by sight. That raised the question in my heart..."How often am I walking by faith?" and that is in all circumstances??? How many times do you think we stand aside and wait for God to part the waters for us...and then we will step forward. I think Satan uses this to keep us quiet...God has not given us a Spirit of fear, and He is greater than he that is in this world. We have the victory through Jesus Christ who gave himself as an sin-offering for us.
I found this poem today...and really like it
Chance has not brought this ill to me;
It's God's own hand, so let it be,
For He sees what I cannot see.
There is a purpose for each pain,
And He one day will make it plain
That earthly loss is heavenly gain.
Like as a piece of tapestry
Viewed from the back appears to be
Only threads tangled hopelessly;
But in the front a picture fair
Rewards the worker for his care,
Proving his skill and patience rare.
You are the Workman, I the frame.
Lord, for the glory of Your Name,
Perfect Your image on the same.
When the Israelites went to cross the Jordan, it's waters were opened once they set foot in it. Can you imagine having the faith that the waters were going to split and there would be an open path to walk on. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says we are to walk by faith and not by sight. That raised the question in my heart..."How often am I walking by faith?" and that is in all circumstances??? How many times do you think we stand aside and wait for God to part the waters for us...and then we will step forward. I think Satan uses this to keep us quiet...God has not given us a Spirit of fear, and He is greater than he that is in this world. We have the victory through Jesus Christ who gave himself as an sin-offering for us.
I found this poem today...and really like it
Chance has not brought this ill to me;
It's God's own hand, so let it be,
For He sees what I cannot see.
There is a purpose for each pain,
And He one day will make it plain
That earthly loss is heavenly gain.
Like as a piece of tapestry
Viewed from the back appears to be
Only threads tangled hopelessly;
But in the front a picture fair
Rewards the worker for his care,
Proving his skill and patience rare.
You are the Workman, I the frame.
Lord, for the glory of Your Name,
Perfect Your image on the same.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Washington Monument
Yesterday, I was able to go up the Washington Monument with Rebekah and her sisters. Thanks Rebekah for getting the tickets. I really liked seeing DC from the top. It's amazing to see all the monuments from this one place. I always remember the first time that I ever saw the Washington Monument. We had went to DC for a class trip. It was on Mr Sartain's Birthday...and he was turning 30~! We sang Happy Birthday to him 30 times that day. I always think of that every time I see it.
One of my favorite Monuments is the Lincoln Memorial...and here's what it looks like from the Washington Monument.
Here is my 2nd favorite monument. The Jefferson Memorial. I had never been to this one until last year when my parents and Sarah were here. I love what is inscribed on the walls here. When we went to visit...a spider fell down on my mom's head from the ceiling. Of all the people there, and it chose her head. I think she will forever remember that.
One of my favorite Monuments is the Lincoln Memorial...and here's what it looks like from the Washington Monument.
Here is my 2nd favorite monument. The Jefferson Memorial. I had never been to this one until last year when my parents and Sarah were here. I love what is inscribed on the walls here. When we went to visit...a spider fell down on my mom's head from the ceiling. Of all the people there, and it chose her head. I think she will forever remember that.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Going Green
So as many of you know, while I was at home this fall...I learned how to make Laundry Detergent...and I love it. I'm so thankful Rayne persuaded me to try. She has made it and used it for a long time...and loves it also. Since doing this, I've really wanted to start making my own cleaning supplies, fabric softener...everything. I want it to be more natural and I don't want to be paying so much for good cleaning supplies. So this last week I've been researching making some of my own things. Thursday, I made Fabric Softener, and I tried it yesterday....Lo & Behold, it worked~!!!!! And it's much cheaper than store bought stuff...and I can change the scent when I want. This one was Cucumber Melon :) I also tried making Rug Freshener, also Cucumber Melon scent...it was great~!!!! I'm so thankful to be able to start making these things on my own. I would love to start making more scents and have some products ready for the Farmer's Market this summer. Last night, I started getting things together to try my hand at making a Powder Laundry Detergent, and from what I've read, you can use it in front loading washing machines. I've been having a hard time finding all the ingredients out here...I guess that's why we have Amazon.com right.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
My New Do
So I've been wanting to cut my hair for sometime. I finally made the decision on Thursday...and called to make the appointment immediately before I changed my mind. Then Friday night, I did my hair...and loved it long. This caused me to have some question as to what I was going to do on Monday when it came time to get it cut. Infact, on the way there, I told my sister-in-law, I think I'm just going to get it trimmed...I'm not quite ready for it to be short yet. YIKES~!!!! I got to the salon, and told the girl to just do whatever she wanted...and this is what I came out with. I LOVE IT~! I just hope that I can do it again after I wash my hair. You know how that is. I absolutely love the Paul Mitchel School Salon in Tysons Corner. I've gone there 3 times now, and the students always do a great job~!
I need to blog more often
Another week has flown by again...God has been teaching me so much, and I wonder how I can even blog this all to make sense...so I think I need to make a commitment to be blogging more often~!!!! I've been listening to a series on James, and I'm loving it~! I'm learning so much...and so thankful to have found this.
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you face trials of many kinds; Knowing, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
The testing of our faith proves the genuineness of our perspective of God. What are our reactions to trials? Are reactions show what we think about His character, His sovereignty, and His promises. Do we believe what He says in His Word? Do I believe that He works all things for the good of those who love Him? Do I believe that He has a purpose for everything that He brings into my life? Even the people that I meet day to day...the places I go...where I live...everything~!
So what is my view of God? What is your view of God?
1. Do I believe that he does not know or control the future?
2. Do I believe that He knows, but does not control the future?
3. Do I believe that He knows the future, but does not control it?
4. Do I believe that He knows and controls the future?
Trials do have purpose...
* to test our stregnth of faith and obedience
* to humble us
* to wean us from our dependence of worldly things
* to foster a desire to be with Christ
* to help us discover what we really love
* to value God's blessing
* to develop us for greater actions - to help others
One statement Rae made was "Your husband is not a perfect man. He has failures...I know this isn't new news, but as a wife, those failures are going to be your trials in life. God has brought your husband into your life for you to grow through these trials. It is not your job to change him. It your your job to grow through these trials. How you react to these trials is your test." I thought that was sooo good. not only is this true with our spouse, but it's also true with every person that God brings into our life and allows us to interact with. We need to be focusing on ourselves...getting the log out of our own eyes.
God's plan is a perfect plan and for that I am thankful.
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you face trials of many kinds; Knowing, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
The testing of our faith proves the genuineness of our perspective of God. What are our reactions to trials? Are reactions show what we think about His character, His sovereignty, and His promises. Do we believe what He says in His Word? Do I believe that He works all things for the good of those who love Him? Do I believe that He has a purpose for everything that He brings into my life? Even the people that I meet day to day...the places I go...where I live...everything~!
So what is my view of God? What is your view of God?
1. Do I believe that he does not know or control the future?
2. Do I believe that He knows, but does not control the future?
3. Do I believe that He knows the future, but does not control it?
4. Do I believe that He knows and controls the future?
Trials do have purpose...
* to test our stregnth of faith and obedience
* to humble us
* to wean us from our dependence of worldly things
* to foster a desire to be with Christ
* to help us discover what we really love
* to value God's blessing
* to develop us for greater actions - to help others
One statement Rae made was "Your husband is not a perfect man. He has failures...I know this isn't new news, but as a wife, those failures are going to be your trials in life. God has brought your husband into your life for you to grow through these trials. It is not your job to change him. It your your job to grow through these trials. How you react to these trials is your test." I thought that was sooo good. not only is this true with our spouse, but it's also true with every person that God brings into our life and allows us to interact with. We need to be focusing on ourselves...getting the log out of our own eyes.
God's plan is a perfect plan and for that I am thankful.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
"David Found Strength In the Lord his God"
I Samuel 30:6 says "David found strength in the Lord his God" I found this interesting in my devotions today ~ Sometimes God reserves the right to withhold others and to pull you aside with Him so you can experience His strength. The KJV says "David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." Many times we may go to others for encouragement, when the Lord is right there with us waiting for us to call on Him. He desires to meet our needs just as a mother desires to meet the needs of her children.
At times, I think of myself, being out here in Virginia. God has given me some friends here, but I feel as if I'm here alone. Most of my friends and all of my family is in Wisconsin. Sometimes, I think to myself, why did God bring me all the way out here? Why can't I just live by everyone else and have them to do things with. This devotional helped me to realize that God just wants me to be with Him. I do not need to busy my time with doing things with people...I need to spend my time wisely that He has given me and use it as an opportunity to grow through His Word. I need to seek His friendship and rely on Him for my strength and encouragement.
I've arrived at a conclusion,
maybe one of life's rare finds
that there's not a lot worth salvaging
within this heart of mine.
It's ever ready to destruct
and lie above all things...
It tends to laugh when it should cry
and mourn when it should sing
I've waited countless hours begging,
"Fix this heart, Lord, please!"
while it stomps its feet, demands its way
and floods with sin's disease.
At last, you're able to get through
and lay it on the line:
You must give up that heart of yours
and trade it in for mine."
So I cry out with the psalmist,
create within me, Lord
A new heart crystal clear
that only Calvary could afford.
A heart which pounds the rhythm
of heaven's metronome
and issues forth a boundless love
and beats for You alone.
I want to love that which You love,
despising what you hate
and see myself as least of these
oh Lord, retaliate
The efforts of the evil one
who seeks to make my plea
that of his own, "I'll make no move
til I've considered me."
Peel away my fingers,
finally make me understand
the power to love and please You
can't be found within a man.
So, my Lord, I bring this offering;
a stubborn heart of stone
And ask You, in it's absence,
please exchange it for Your own.
Beth Moore
At times, I think of myself, being out here in Virginia. God has given me some friends here, but I feel as if I'm here alone. Most of my friends and all of my family is in Wisconsin. Sometimes, I think to myself, why did God bring me all the way out here? Why can't I just live by everyone else and have them to do things with. This devotional helped me to realize that God just wants me to be with Him. I do not need to busy my time with doing things with people...I need to spend my time wisely that He has given me and use it as an opportunity to grow through His Word. I need to seek His friendship and rely on Him for my strength and encouragement.
I've arrived at a conclusion,
maybe one of life's rare finds
that there's not a lot worth salvaging
within this heart of mine.
It's ever ready to destruct
and lie above all things...
It tends to laugh when it should cry
and mourn when it should sing
I've waited countless hours begging,
"Fix this heart, Lord, please!"
while it stomps its feet, demands its way
and floods with sin's disease.
At last, you're able to get through
and lay it on the line:
You must give up that heart of yours
and trade it in for mine."
So I cry out with the psalmist,
create within me, Lord
A new heart crystal clear
that only Calvary could afford.
A heart which pounds the rhythm
of heaven's metronome
and issues forth a boundless love
and beats for You alone.
I want to love that which You love,
despising what you hate
and see myself as least of these
oh Lord, retaliate
The efforts of the evil one
who seeks to make my plea
that of his own, "I'll make no move
til I've considered me."
Peel away my fingers,
finally make me understand
the power to love and please You
can't be found within a man.
So, my Lord, I bring this offering;
a stubborn heart of stone
And ask You, in it's absence,
please exchange it for Your own.
Beth Moore
Monday, January 26, 2009
Streams In The Desert
Have you ever thought of this? - God knows exactly when to withhold or to grant us any visible sign of encouragement. That is how my devotional started off this morning...that is a pretty big thought to think about. God truly does know exactly what we need and when we need it. He longs for us to realize that the Bible is more real and dependable that any evidences that our senses may reveal. It also stated "Those who are most inclined to trust God without any evidence except His Word always receive the greaetest amount of visible evidence of His love" Interesting...I'm still trying to wrap my thoughts around that one.
As God is teaching me right now to trust in Him...I need to remember "that God has a fixed time and an ordained purpose, and He who controls the limits of our lives also determines the time of our deliverance" He never does give us more than we are able to handle, and for that I am thankful.
What does my faith/trust in God look like? I know it is not where it needs to be, and Lord Jesus, I pray that you will help me in my unbelief. Please fill it with trust in You~!
Psalms 112:7b "his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord"
Jeremiah 29:11" For I know the plans I have for you,... plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
God's rod is like a schoolteacher's pointer to a child, pointing out a letter so a child will notice it. In the same way, God points out many valuable lessons to us that we otherwise would never have learned.
Each of us may be sure that if God sends us over rocky paths, He will provide us with sturdy shoes. He will never send us on any journey without equipping us well. - Alexander Maclaren
As God is teaching me right now to trust in Him...I need to remember "that God has a fixed time and an ordained purpose, and He who controls the limits of our lives also determines the time of our deliverance" He never does give us more than we are able to handle, and for that I am thankful.
What does my faith/trust in God look like? I know it is not where it needs to be, and Lord Jesus, I pray that you will help me in my unbelief. Please fill it with trust in You~!
Psalms 112:7b "his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord"
Jeremiah 29:11" For I know the plans I have for you,... plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
God's rod is like a schoolteacher's pointer to a child, pointing out a letter so a child will notice it. In the same way, God points out many valuable lessons to us that we otherwise would never have learned.
Each of us may be sure that if God sends us over rocky paths, He will provide us with sturdy shoes. He will never send us on any journey without equipping us well. - Alexander Maclaren
Accomplishments in a way
Here it is Monday already...I can't even believe it...and as I think over what I've done the last week, it all blurs together~!
I know that I finished 4 new purses, cut out the batting and back of the quilt (now I just need to baste and quilt it). I finished 4 of the coasters. I've realized that I've done alot of completing projects that I've started in the past. I made coffee cozies, a new purse pattern, business card holders. All of which I'm looking forward to posting pictures soon.
I've done a lot of thinking this past week too. I think God is truly working on my trusting Him to take care of things. I so want to take things into my own hands, but we all know how it turns out when we try to do things on our own...Usually not very pretty~! So, daily...God is allowing me to have opportunities to trust Him. Which I am thankful for my mom...who keeps reminding me to let God have control and take care of things. God does not always work in our timing...so many times we just have to wait on Him.
I have a lot of projects to work on this week. I've decided to start writing lists at night before bed and then work on completing them the next day. We'll see how this works out. Today, I was able to cross a lot off of my list. I finished the cards for the Valentine's Day Cards Swap. I wasn't so sure about these cards as I was making them, but after they were done, I think I decided that I do like them. I took 2 tests for a job that I'm applying for. I filled out the job application...I'm applying for a job at DC Children's Hospital to work in the NICU. It's a casual job, so I just work when the need me and I'm available. I had to get passport pictures done for the DC license...which made me want a passport and to travel the globe~!!! Hopefully, Tim & I are going to be taking a vacation to San Diego in April for our anniversary. I'm looking forward to that~!!! Need to start getting some info from there, so we can plan the trip.
This week, I hope to make the Glamour Gloves like the ones I bought awhile back for doing dishes. I received the gloves this past week, so now I need to get to work and get them made. I'm also hoping to make at least 3 more purses this week. 3 a week is going to be my goal from now on. I would also like to finish the envelope purse that I cut out. I do need to get a few more supplies for this, but I want to complete another project~!!! I want to make some more coffee cup cozies...I want to use up my fabric (so I can get more)- this becomes a bit addicting :)
I know that I finished 4 new purses, cut out the batting and back of the quilt (now I just need to baste and quilt it). I finished 4 of the coasters. I've realized that I've done alot of completing projects that I've started in the past. I made coffee cozies, a new purse pattern, business card holders. All of which I'm looking forward to posting pictures soon.
I've done a lot of thinking this past week too. I think God is truly working on my trusting Him to take care of things. I so want to take things into my own hands, but we all know how it turns out when we try to do things on our own...Usually not very pretty~! So, daily...God is allowing me to have opportunities to trust Him. Which I am thankful for my mom...who keeps reminding me to let God have control and take care of things. God does not always work in our timing...so many times we just have to wait on Him.
I have a lot of projects to work on this week. I've decided to start writing lists at night before bed and then work on completing them the next day. We'll see how this works out. Today, I was able to cross a lot off of my list. I finished the cards for the Valentine's Day Cards Swap. I wasn't so sure about these cards as I was making them, but after they were done, I think I decided that I do like them. I took 2 tests for a job that I'm applying for. I filled out the job application...I'm applying for a job at DC Children's Hospital to work in the NICU. It's a casual job, so I just work when the need me and I'm available. I had to get passport pictures done for the DC license...which made me want a passport and to travel the globe~!!! Hopefully, Tim & I are going to be taking a vacation to San Diego in April for our anniversary. I'm looking forward to that~!!! Need to start getting some info from there, so we can plan the trip.
This week, I hope to make the Glamour Gloves like the ones I bought awhile back for doing dishes. I received the gloves this past week, so now I need to get to work and get them made. I'm also hoping to make at least 3 more purses this week. 3 a week is going to be my goal from now on. I would also like to finish the envelope purse that I cut out. I do need to get a few more supplies for this, but I want to complete another project~!!! I want to make some more coffee cup cozies...I want to use up my fabric (so I can get more)- this becomes a bit addicting :)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunday's Thoughts
The first word that comes to my mind is thankful. I am thankful for all the wonderful family and friends that God has placed around me. As I wrote that, Chloe interrupted by scratching the door for me to let her outside, and for this...I am thankful. I wish she would teach Ellie this now too~! Seriously though, I am thankful for the work that God is doing everywhere. It amazes me how He works right here in Herndon, VA...and is working in peoples lives in Wisconsin also. Not that this fact should amaze me. I know that God is everywhere and always at work. It's just encouraging to me to hear of His work in others lives. We serve a living God, and for that I am thankful.
Some thoughts from conversations I've had today.
* Not only do we serve a living God, but we serve a God who has already conquered sin. Am I living a life in defeat or am I claiming the victory that the Lord has won? Romans 8:37 - "In all things, we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
*Philippians 2:5 (NIV) - "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" and to that I reply- What was the attitude of Christ Jesus? To which Paul says in the following verses..."He took on the nature of a servant, He humbled himself, and became obedient- even to the death on the cross" I must put these things into practice. Todd talked about this at church tonight...which was a bit ironic seeing as the words "I'm not your servant" came out of my mouth today. And to all of this, the Lord has been reminding me yesterday and today that Isaiah 53:7 says "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth" It is not my responsibility to open my mouth with that last word that I so need to get in. Thank you Lord for reminding me of these things. Jesus did not have to die on the cross, but He was obedient and because of that I now have a way to Heaven. To spend my life bringing glory and honour to my Lord. This is not only my responsibility, but my desire. All of that due to the question what is my attitude suppose to look like?
* 2 Corinthians 10:5b "and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." My friend Rebecca reminded me of this verse as I told her that my mind kept thinking of other things other than the service at church tonight. She reminded me that we need to practice controlling our thoughts and taking them captive. I was so thankful that she reminded me of this verse. It also ties into what Allison and I were talking about today. We need to be meditating on the Word of God...putting it in our hearts and thinking on it while we are doing other things. Things like walking my dogs, washing the dishes, folding the clothes, driving to work. We cannot let the business of this world steal our time to meditate on God's Word. Psalm 119:11 says "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." When our thoughts are saturated with the Word of God, it then becomes who we are. Not just a task that I must complete. We think about what we love. I do love my crafts, and tonight...my mind was thinking of the next purse I was going to make and how I could make it better. My prayer is going to be Psalm 119:18 "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law"
These are just a few of the thoughts that have been going through my head today.
Some thoughts from conversations I've had today.
* Not only do we serve a living God, but we serve a God who has already conquered sin. Am I living a life in defeat or am I claiming the victory that the Lord has won? Romans 8:37 - "In all things, we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
*Philippians 2:5 (NIV) - "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" and to that I reply- What was the attitude of Christ Jesus? To which Paul says in the following verses..."He took on the nature of a servant, He humbled himself, and became obedient- even to the death on the cross" I must put these things into practice. Todd talked about this at church tonight...which was a bit ironic seeing as the words "I'm not your servant" came out of my mouth today. And to all of this, the Lord has been reminding me yesterday and today that Isaiah 53:7 says "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth" It is not my responsibility to open my mouth with that last word that I so need to get in. Thank you Lord for reminding me of these things. Jesus did not have to die on the cross, but He was obedient and because of that I now have a way to Heaven. To spend my life bringing glory and honour to my Lord. This is not only my responsibility, but my desire. All of that due to the question what is my attitude suppose to look like?
* 2 Corinthians 10:5b "and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." My friend Rebecca reminded me of this verse as I told her that my mind kept thinking of other things other than the service at church tonight. She reminded me that we need to practice controlling our thoughts and taking them captive. I was so thankful that she reminded me of this verse. It also ties into what Allison and I were talking about today. We need to be meditating on the Word of God...putting it in our hearts and thinking on it while we are doing other things. Things like walking my dogs, washing the dishes, folding the clothes, driving to work. We cannot let the business of this world steal our time to meditate on God's Word. Psalm 119:11 says "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." When our thoughts are saturated with the Word of God, it then becomes who we are. Not just a task that I must complete. We think about what we love. I do love my crafts, and tonight...my mind was thinking of the next purse I was going to make and how I could make it better. My prayer is going to be Psalm 119:18 "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law"
These are just a few of the thoughts that have been going through my head today.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Psalm 1, 16, & 103
I've been reading these Psalms everyday...they have been such an encouragement to me. Today as I was reading them...the light was shining through the blinds in the window...and I thought it was beautiful.
New Coat
So, I forgot my dress coat in Wisconsin while I was there...so I took a trip to Target and found this super cute coat. I wore it the other night when Tim & I went out for dinner...when he saw it he said "What is up with your coat? You officially look like a YUPPIE!" I thought that was pretty funny. We make jokes all the time about living in Yuppieville...seeing as I am from the country, and I like it that way~! :)
6/365
My friend Rebekah and I have decided to be a part of a Valentine's Day Card Swap This is the first time that I've ever done one. BUT I sure am excited to see the cards that everyone is making~!
5/365
My Scrap Quilt Top...I'm glad to get this done and can't wait to start on it's compadre.
Coaster Tops
4/365
So, my friend Rebekah came over for dinner and brought me these handmade cards. I love them, and thankfully she told me how to make them~!Of course, I didn't waste anytime to start experimenting myself. And this is what I came up with.
and another picture:
An Angel's Work
I've done an angel's work today!
Yes, such an honor came my way.
Real angle's work! And lest you doubt it,
I'm going to tell you all about it.
Well, first, I cooked. It was so nice
To plan the pies, stewed fruit, and rice,
God sent His angel once to make
Cakes for a poor wayfarer's sake.
But just today He honored me,
And sent the task my way, you see.
Then,while I tidied up the place,
Gave every knob a radiant face
Back of my mind this thought would lurk,
That I was still at angel's work.
Putting away coats and dresses,
And moving small unsightlinesses.
For, oh! 'tis such a lovesome thing,
Just straightening out, and freshening.
And after that I washed a few
Small woolly garments, old not new,
Things I had rubbed and rinsed before
Quite forty times, or even more.
And as I hung them on the line
I thought what God-like work is mine!
To cleanse- ah me! - to wash out stains
Till not a single speck remains.
So, later in the day 'twas sweet
To sit and rest my tired feet
Mending the clothes, and plan out, too,
how to make old things into new.
For surely 'tis and angel's way
To put things right from day to day.
To find thin places, and repair
The glad rags and the sturdy wear.
Since wear and tear must surely be
On this side of Eternity,
I'm feeling very proud to say
I've done an angel's work today.
- Author Unknown
Yes, such an honor came my way.
Real angle's work! And lest you doubt it,
I'm going to tell you all about it.
Well, first, I cooked. It was so nice
To plan the pies, stewed fruit, and rice,
God sent His angel once to make
Cakes for a poor wayfarer's sake.
But just today He honored me,
And sent the task my way, you see.
Then,while I tidied up the place,
Gave every knob a radiant face
Back of my mind this thought would lurk,
That I was still at angel's work.
Putting away coats and dresses,
And moving small unsightlinesses.
For, oh! 'tis such a lovesome thing,
Just straightening out, and freshening.
And after that I washed a few
Small woolly garments, old not new,
Things I had rubbed and rinsed before
Quite forty times, or even more.
And as I hung them on the line
I thought what God-like work is mine!
To cleanse- ah me! - to wash out stains
Till not a single speck remains.
So, later in the day 'twas sweet
To sit and rest my tired feet
Mending the clothes, and plan out, too,
how to make old things into new.
For surely 'tis and angel's way
To put things right from day to day.
To find thin places, and repair
The glad rags and the sturdy wear.
Since wear and tear must surely be
On this side of Eternity,
I'm feeling very proud to say
I've done an angel's work today.
- Author Unknown
Thursday, January 15, 2009
So much to be thankful for~!
Today has been such a good day. It was a normal day, not much out of the ordinary...I'm just feeling thankful. When Tim left for work today, I took the dogs out for a walk. I enjoyed just being outside and waving to him as he left. It made me very thankful that he has said it's okay if I stay home and don't work. This has always been a dream of mine. I seem to be busy all day long, and at the end of the day sometimes I think what have I gotten done today.
As I was walking through the house, I saw the dogs laying side by side on the couch...do you think they would stay there long enough to get a good picture. That was asking a bit much. But, it made me think back to the days when they were fighting like 10 times a day...and I'm not exaggerating. It made me thankful to see them laying there enjoying themselves.
And while I was taking the dogs outside yet again, I realized that I didn't check the mail yesterday. Guess what was in it...some very exciting stuff...well at least for me~! I took pictures of it all...and will have to update this entry when I get the card reader fixed.
1. Awesome rubber gloves to do the dishes. Now you might think...why did you get rubber gloves in the mail? Well, to that I say "Because they were so cool!~" They aren't just your ordinary yellow gloves, which I have nothing against, and they work very well. These are white gloves with fabric sewn around the cuff. It makes me smile while doing the dishes...well, at least it did today. They are happy gloves...kind of like when you get a new funky pair of socks.
2. 4 new patterns for my purses. I'm super excited to get these...I cut them all out today before going to the YMCA...in fact, I left later than I wanted to because I was all caught up in cutting out my patterns. I sooo can't wait to make some purses out of these. AND, I just ordered fabric today to start making some more purses. I would really like to get into a farmers market or some boutiques to sell these so I can keep making more. I have more than enough purses for myself.
3. Wiener dog fabric from Japan. This was a surprise. I've been waiting for a long time to get this fabric, so long that I forgot it was coming. It's so super cute~! I can't wait to make something very fun out of this. I have to think about it for awhile...I want to use this fabric wisely. :)
Then I was off to the Y...to walk on the Treadmill...I'm looking forward to the day that I will be up to running. Read my book while walking...it was a good workout.
Then I got back home, checked the mail again...and there was another package in it. MORE FABRIC - It was Amy Butler Fabric that I got on E-Bay. I was surprised at how fast it came. It's beautiful, much pretty than I imagined. So, today I worked on cutting out more purses out of the gorgeous fabric~! Well, I love it anyway. I can't wait to finish the purse. I think this will be one more purse to add to my collection.
As I was walking through the house, I saw the dogs laying side by side on the couch...do you think they would stay there long enough to get a good picture. That was asking a bit much. But, it made me think back to the days when they were fighting like 10 times a day...and I'm not exaggerating. It made me thankful to see them laying there enjoying themselves.
And while I was taking the dogs outside yet again, I realized that I didn't check the mail yesterday. Guess what was in it...some very exciting stuff...well at least for me~! I took pictures of it all...and will have to update this entry when I get the card reader fixed.
1. Awesome rubber gloves to do the dishes. Now you might think...why did you get rubber gloves in the mail? Well, to that I say "Because they were so cool!~" They aren't just your ordinary yellow gloves, which I have nothing against, and they work very well. These are white gloves with fabric sewn around the cuff. It makes me smile while doing the dishes...well, at least it did today. They are happy gloves...kind of like when you get a new funky pair of socks.
2. 4 new patterns for my purses. I'm super excited to get these...I cut them all out today before going to the YMCA...in fact, I left later than I wanted to because I was all caught up in cutting out my patterns. I sooo can't wait to make some purses out of these. AND, I just ordered fabric today to start making some more purses. I would really like to get into a farmers market or some boutiques to sell these so I can keep making more. I have more than enough purses for myself.
3. Wiener dog fabric from Japan. This was a surprise. I've been waiting for a long time to get this fabric, so long that I forgot it was coming. It's so super cute~! I can't wait to make something very fun out of this. I have to think about it for awhile...I want to use this fabric wisely. :)
Then I was off to the Y...to walk on the Treadmill...I'm looking forward to the day that I will be up to running. Read my book while walking...it was a good workout.
Then I got back home, checked the mail again...and there was another package in it. MORE FABRIC - It was Amy Butler Fabric that I got on E-Bay. I was surprised at how fast it came. It's beautiful, much pretty than I imagined. So, today I worked on cutting out more purses out of the gorgeous fabric~! Well, I love it anyway. I can't wait to finish the purse. I think this will be one more purse to add to my collection.
Monday, January 12, 2009
What does "being productive" mean? (5/365)
So tonight as I was walking my dogs, I was thinking "Boy, I was really productive today" Then I got to thinking about it and wondered what does productive mean? What really matters in life, and did I do anything about that today? Sure, I made my hubby breakfast, sewed the top of a lap quilt, made some coasters, made my hubby lunch, went to the Y, stopped by Target to pick up Tim some medicine...as he's sick, made my hubby supper, watched some TV, did my D-vo's, and then at 10:30pm...took my dogs on a walk (this usually happens in the warmer hours of the day, but I was a bit preoccupied) Was that a productive day, not entirely as my one goal that I set on Sunday was to get the oil changed...didn't get that done. No, in all honesty, did anything I do today count for eternity? I did show love to my husband, and read my Bible? WAS THAT A PRODUCTIVE DAY? Could I have done more today? YES, I THINK I COULD HAVE...While, I was able to complete some tasks today, I feel as though I could have done more for my Lord. Not because I have to, but because I love Him. As I sit here, I feel sad that I'm tired, and I didn't spend more time with Him today. I think this is a lesson to be learned today...
"Only 2 choices on the shelf, pleasing God or pleasing self."
Tomorrow, I want to think about my heart and why I am doing things. I want my heart to be engaged in my day to day activities...enjoying the moment and what God is allowing me to do. Things like being able to make meals for my husband...I want to do these things out of love for him and in some way communicate that to him. I want to not just walk my dogs because it's a task that needs to be done...and boy, it sure needs to be done...or else they are bouncing off the walls. I want to walk them just because I enjoy spending time with them. And while walking, I am able to look at the things that God has made for our enjoyment. Tomorrow, while walking, I'm going to attempt to start memorizing Ps 119 verses 1-4. My friend Victoria, has taken the challenge to memorize Ps 199. I was reading that chapter tonight...and thought I need to start memorizing God's word and meditating on it. Start thinking about it while I'm on my walks, while I'm sewing, while I'm cleaning.
Crafts- I have been crafting. My camera card reader broke, the day after my last post...but I have been taking pictures of everything that I've been working on and am looking forward to sharing those pictures with you. Today, I was able to sew that top of one of the lap quilts...and I love it~!!! Can't wait to finish the second one too. And today, I was thinking I could make table place-mats...that matched...and I could make pillows. Today, I also pieced together some coasters. They are so much fun~! Thanks to Rebekah, who introduced me to Heatbond~!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
1/365
So I officially started the whole working on a craft every day today. I was planning on working on the mittens for my cousin, but last night I laid out the fabric for a scrap quilt...and it was calling my name all day~!!! So, I gave in and worked on it. I know have strips of all the scraps sewn together, but as I was working on it today ~ another idea came to mind...and I decided that I'm going to make 2 small lap quilts out of the scraps instead of a big quilt. I can't wait to make my idea a reality. It's been so fun working on this quilt, because it makes me think of all the other crafts that I have worked on...with these fabrics in them. Tim informed me that these quilts aren't really his style. He'd prefer that I make a brown quilt. So that may be next on my list of things to do. I'll have my quilts full of color and he can have his brown quilt that he enjoys. He also informed me that Frank, my beloved sock monkey (that I was going to give him) is not his style either. He'd rather have a brown one. I'm gonna have to go find some real sock monkey socks...I think that may be his style. I told him I thought he was being a bit picky, but he just reminded me that he knows what he likes. I'm thankful for that - That's probably why I don't have a style...because I like everything~!!!!
Yesterday, I was listening to a message...and the pastor read Psalm 1, 16, and 103 in a row...and they have been such a blessing to me. The beginning of Ps 103 starts out "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." I feel so full of God's love right now...as though He is giving me a big hug and letting me know He loves me. I am so thankful for the price that Jesus paid for me. His dying on the cross has made it possible for me to have a relationship with the Lord that none other can supply. He has forgiven my sins and made me white as snow. There is nothing that I did to deserve this. Later on in this chapter it says that he has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west...that's almost unthinkable~! Praise the Lord, O my soul~! Thank you Lord for all the blessings you give each and everyone of us. Help us to focus on those things and share them with those around us~! I also know that even though I feel full of God's love today doesn't mean that I have more of it today than other days...I am just more aware of it today. God's love doesn't change and for that I am thankful. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Streams In The Desert
Others may do a greater work,
But you have your part to do;
And no one in all God's family
Can do it as well as you.
You will sink if you only listen to the voices of your circumstances.
Romans 8:31 - If God is for us, who can be against us?
But you have your part to do;
And no one in all God's family
Can do it as well as you.
You will sink if you only listen to the voices of your circumstances.
Romans 8:31 - If God is for us, who can be against us?
Rainy Days
Rainy days...what to do, what to do? These are the days that feel like lazy days! I've been trying to be productive though.
Yesterday, I went to Joanne's Fabrics...and found some fabrics on sale. I was able to get all these fabrics for only $42.00 I was so happy~!
Now, I have alot of work ahead of me...My kitchen table is looking a bit overtaken by fabric at the moment, I'm thankful Tim doesn't mind me doing my crafts. I know I can't keep it all here forever. I guess one of my goals needs to be to organize my craft room.
So today, I was reading a someone's blog and they took a challenge to work on a craft each day. It was pretty neat to look back at her posts and see the things that she was able to make over the last year...and I decided that I'm going to try to do the same thing. I guess I'll start today~! Today, I worked on making birdies (I'll post a finished picture when they are done) and I worked on Frank. Frank, is my new little sock monkey friend. Actually, while I was making him, Tim asked why I haven't made him a sock monkey yet...so Frank is going to be his. I still need to work on his face. I'm a bit leary about this one...I need to look at some more pictures of Sock Monkey's Faces...as I want it to turn out right. With making all these crafts lately, I'm learning that I can't be a perfectionist with things...and I'm also realizing that I need to take my time. So many times, I want to see the end product before I've even started. So, I guess I'm having to learn patience.
Tomorrow, my goal is to make my cousin the mittens that I was going to make her for Christmas. Better late than never, right?
Yesterday, I went to Joanne's Fabrics...and found some fabrics on sale. I was able to get all these fabrics for only $42.00 I was so happy~!
Now, I have alot of work ahead of me...My kitchen table is looking a bit overtaken by fabric at the moment, I'm thankful Tim doesn't mind me doing my crafts. I know I can't keep it all here forever. I guess one of my goals needs to be to organize my craft room.
So today, I was reading a someone's blog and they took a challenge to work on a craft each day. It was pretty neat to look back at her posts and see the things that she was able to make over the last year...and I decided that I'm going to try to do the same thing. I guess I'll start today~! Today, I worked on making birdies (I'll post a finished picture when they are done) and I worked on Frank. Frank, is my new little sock monkey friend. Actually, while I was making him, Tim asked why I haven't made him a sock monkey yet...so Frank is going to be his. I still need to work on his face. I'm a bit leary about this one...I need to look at some more pictures of Sock Monkey's Faces...as I want it to turn out right. With making all these crafts lately, I'm learning that I can't be a perfectionist with things...and I'm also realizing that I need to take my time. So many times, I want to see the end product before I've even started. So, I guess I'm having to learn patience.
Tomorrow, my goal is to make my cousin the mittens that I was going to make her for Christmas. Better late than never, right?
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom
So last night at church, the sermon was on wisdom...and tonight, I wanted to listen to a sermon online...so I went to Lighthouse Baptist Church...and there was a sermon glaring at me about Wisdom. So I listened to it~ I am so thankful for God's Word, and the encouragement that it brings to me. AND, I'm thankful for the people of God who are willing to share His truths with us. Some of the truths that I have learned & want to remember...What you fear controls you~! If God is what I fear losing...Then what do I do about that? If God requires obedience, then that is where I start. If God hates idolatry, then that is what I hate. What do things like obedience and idolatry look like in my life today? I must begin praying for wisdom, be reading and studying the Word of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and I need to be living in accordance with Biblical truth. I was talking to my Mom this afternoon and told her that I still haven't had my quiet time...I've been home all day, but still haven't seemed to have time for it. She reminded me that I need to plan for it. Right she is...people don't plan to fail, they fail to plan.
So today has been a good start to the week...The first full week of the new year. Remember that Amish Bread I was making the last time I blogged, well...it smelled delicious, looked delicious, and the end even tasted delicious BUT the inside was not done. It made 2 loaves of bread that I had to throw away because they were not done. I guess this is part of the learning process to making bread. On New Year's Eve, I started a batch of Sourdough starter. I have never done this before either, but thought I needed to give it a try. Today was the first day that I was able to use it. I made 2 loaves of Sour Dough Bread...and they turned out wonderful. Tim was pretty impressed. They tasted pretty good too! YEAH~now, lets see if we can do this twice in a row. I love baking...and wish we could eat it faster so I could make more again tomorrow :)
I was able to get my house back into some shape of order today...as all my stuff was still packed from coming home from Wisconsin. I feel like I got a handle on the laundry, dishes and part of the dust~! I feel like there is dust everywhere (that is when the light shines in the right direction). I was able to wash the floors and get all the marks off...you know those marks that show up again when someone walks in the house. Sometimes I feel like washing floors is a useless task...just to be done over and over and over, BUT I must say that after the floors are cleaned, I smile with a sense of accomplishment and enjoy them for the moment. It's those little things in life. The dogs were also running under my feet all day. They were so happy and had bundles of energy in them. I actually took them for 3 walks today, and they are still running from one end of the house to the other even as I type this.
Tonight, I have been able to work on some sewing crafts. Doing these crafts seem to relax me...I love it. Tonight, I cut out a bunch of houses...which I'm trying to decide exactly what to do with them. I have thought of putting them on a purse, or putting them on pillows for my couch...or maybe making a lap quilt and putting them on that. I want to cut out more...as I only cut out 2 so far. I have to get out my fabric and find the scraps. I did start cutting out birds too. I saw this bird mobile that was super "Quaint". Not sure if that's the word for it, but it's the first word that came to my mind. I will definitely post some pictures...and maybe try to find the original picture too.
Tomorrow, I hope to study God's Word, Start Teaching my dogs some manners, and get a membership at the YMCA~!! Those are just some of my goals for tomorrow...I better start making a list :)
So today has been a good start to the week...The first full week of the new year. Remember that Amish Bread I was making the last time I blogged, well...it smelled delicious, looked delicious, and the end even tasted delicious BUT the inside was not done. It made 2 loaves of bread that I had to throw away because they were not done. I guess this is part of the learning process to making bread. On New Year's Eve, I started a batch of Sourdough starter. I have never done this before either, but thought I needed to give it a try. Today was the first day that I was able to use it. I made 2 loaves of Sour Dough Bread...and they turned out wonderful. Tim was pretty impressed. They tasted pretty good too! YEAH~now, lets see if we can do this twice in a row. I love baking...and wish we could eat it faster so I could make more again tomorrow :)
I was able to get my house back into some shape of order today...as all my stuff was still packed from coming home from Wisconsin. I feel like I got a handle on the laundry, dishes and part of the dust~! I feel like there is dust everywhere (that is when the light shines in the right direction). I was able to wash the floors and get all the marks off...you know those marks that show up again when someone walks in the house. Sometimes I feel like washing floors is a useless task...just to be done over and over and over, BUT I must say that after the floors are cleaned, I smile with a sense of accomplishment and enjoy them for the moment. It's those little things in life. The dogs were also running under my feet all day. They were so happy and had bundles of energy in them. I actually took them for 3 walks today, and they are still running from one end of the house to the other even as I type this.
Tonight, I have been able to work on some sewing crafts. Doing these crafts seem to relax me...I love it. Tonight, I cut out a bunch of houses...which I'm trying to decide exactly what to do with them. I have thought of putting them on a purse, or putting them on pillows for my couch...or maybe making a lap quilt and putting them on that. I want to cut out more...as I only cut out 2 so far. I have to get out my fabric and find the scraps. I did start cutting out birds too. I saw this bird mobile that was super "Quaint". Not sure if that's the word for it, but it's the first word that came to my mind. I will definitely post some pictures...and maybe try to find the original picture too.
Tomorrow, I hope to study God's Word, Start Teaching my dogs some manners, and get a membership at the YMCA~!! Those are just some of my goals for tomorrow...I better start making a list :)
2009
As I write this bog, I'm trying to make Amish White Bread for the first time. In 2008, I gave away my bread maker...so now I have to try and make it the old fashion way. I'll post pictures when it's done. I sure hope it works out~!
So I'm hoping 2009 will be different than 2008. While I learned many lessons during the year of 2008...I hope to not have to learn them again. I look forward to the Lord teaching me new lessons every day. I hope to appreciate Him more as the year goes on. I hope to share Him with the people around me. I know that He is ever present and truly wants to be apart of our lives today... and I hope to hear His voice and follow it.
Tasks I want to complete This year...
1. I would like to learn how to make bread & rolls. I want to master the tricks to making a scrumptious batch of buns...that everyone is dying to eat and raving about after they are done. Pretty much - Jen, you need to share your secrets~! Those rolls you made for Christmas were delicious. I want it to become a task that is easy and I don't really have to think about, just have to do it.
2. I would like to make a quilt...Donette has been an inspiration to me...and I'm looking forward to completing the task this year. It's time for fun and color to enter our house. I'm hoping to make the quilt for our guest bedroom.
3. I would like to complete some nice purses...with the fabric that I already have...I need to use that up~!
4. I would also like to learn how to use my camera better...maybe I need to take a class~! I think that would be fun too. Another way to meet new people.
5. I would like to run a half-marathon. Last year, I started training for one, but then started working alot of hours....so that put the kabosch on it. So I think I'll try again.
Last year
* I learned how to make Pita Bread (Farm Girl Fare's Recipe) It's awesome...my husband loves it. I make it often...and we use it as pizza crust. Pizza crust for Peanut Butter Pizza. Which was an accomplishment last year, I learned how to make the pizza sauce from scratch~!
* my mom taught me how to make Homemade Laundry Soap - which I now love. Who wouldn't love washing their clothes when it only costs pennies a load~! I'm looking forward to making more batches this year...and investing in some essential oils to make it smell "pretty". What everyone wants - Pretty smelling clothes right?
* Leah taught me how to make mittens from Wool Sweaters. I loved this craft~! My hadns were so warm during hunting this year~! I'm looking forward to making more of these mittens and perfecting the thumbs :) I'm also looking forward to getting the new patterns from her also. Thanks Leah~!
* Leah also taught me how to make an apron...which I love and use often~! I've started making them now in my free time...and am in love with them. I'm having a hard time thinking about giving them away...but how many aprons does one person need really. I can't wait to post pictures of the apron we made....and the new ones that I'm making. This was such a fun project.
* Last year, I also made Suit Purses...and I'm looking forward to working on more of them this year...They need some work before I can be comfortable with putting them on etsy.
* I also made Market Bags...which I can't wait to make more of~! Boy, I need to get my sewing machine out and get it oiled...I want to start sewing now~!
* I also got 2 dogs last year....Chloe & Ellie. Ellie came to us in the end of January. She's my baby...it's been fun having her rambunctious energy in the house. She's such a stinker~! Chloe came for a visit in June...and stayed. She's been so good for Ellie. They love playing together and running crazy through the house. They love getting their owner out of the house and going on walks (which has been good for me too). This next year, I hope to spend more time training them. They sit right now for about 2 seconds...I wonder if they have a longer attention span at times?
* Things I was able to do while in WI...Work in the NICU with all my friends :) It was good to catch up with them all. I will miss them. I miss RJ & Kim too. I wish that I could see them again. If any of you have her number...I would like it. I was able to see all my Wisconsinite friends...Becky & her kids, Leah, Allison & her family, Kari, & Seth. The time I got to spend with you all was awesome. Thanks for getting together with me while I was there. I'm so thankful for that time. I was also able to spend lots of time with my cousin & friend - Erin (my twin) We were able to work together, go to a Packer game together, dinner at her parents house, going to Beauty & the Beast, we went to the movies and had a sleepover~! I love you Erin, I'm thankful for the time we got to spend together. Work will definitely never pass as quickly anywhere else...without you there. AND- I got to spend time with Lydia....I love that girl...she's so much fun~! Brings a smile to my face everytime I think of her. Thanks for spilling the beans too :) I was also able to spend time with my immediate family. I was able to take many shopping trips with my sister-in-laws and mom to Goodwill...PRETTY much my favorite store anywhere~! We found so many good deals...Cole, Sarah, and I went deer shining...good times, but it seems to me there use to be way more deer years ago. I was also able to go hunting this year....which was lots of fun and freezing cold~! Wish I could have seen and shot the 30 pointer. I was able to pend time with my niece and nephews...I was always concerned that Caleb wouldn't know who I was...it was so nice to have him running to me in excitement when I would come to his house. I love you guys~! I enjoyed making donuts, helping with chores, collecting chicken eggs, riding 4 wheeler, going bowling, spending the night at Grandma's house and at your house. You all teach me new things every time I hang out with you. You each have amazing little personalities that I love watching. I can't believe how well you are reading Lucas...you are a very smart boy. Hailey, I love watching you try new things, not being afraid, and always helping others. Caleb, you are a bundle of energy~!!!! We are going to have to find a way to trap that energy and give some of it to your auntie~ :) Brandon, you are so easy going...I'm looking forward to seeing you grow...you are such a little bruit. Wilson, thanks for putting up with Chloe & Ellie, I think you taught them a thing or two. They haven't fought once since we've gotten home. Mom & Dad, thanks for putting up with me while I was there. It was so nice to be in the country and able to just relax...picking apples, kale, & baking. I love being at home. There's something SWEET about going back to where you grew up. I'm thankful for the days I worked 7a-7pm...my dad & I were able to ride to work together...it was nice to be able to catch up on those drives. Mom, thanks for encouraging me and praying with me. There is so much that I could write about...I tried to high-lite bits and pieces of it...
Well, I can smell the bread baking now, and it's about ready to come out of the oven...so I guess it's about time to end this post, but I hope to keep up with it this year.
I love you all~!
May God Bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you.
So I'm hoping 2009 will be different than 2008. While I learned many lessons during the year of 2008...I hope to not have to learn them again. I look forward to the Lord teaching me new lessons every day. I hope to appreciate Him more as the year goes on. I hope to share Him with the people around me. I know that He is ever present and truly wants to be apart of our lives today... and I hope to hear His voice and follow it.
Tasks I want to complete This year...
1. I would like to learn how to make bread & rolls. I want to master the tricks to making a scrumptious batch of buns...that everyone is dying to eat and raving about after they are done. Pretty much - Jen, you need to share your secrets~! Those rolls you made for Christmas were delicious. I want it to become a task that is easy and I don't really have to think about, just have to do it.
2. I would like to make a quilt...Donette has been an inspiration to me...and I'm looking forward to completing the task this year. It's time for fun and color to enter our house. I'm hoping to make the quilt for our guest bedroom.
3. I would like to complete some nice purses...with the fabric that I already have...I need to use that up~!
4. I would also like to learn how to use my camera better...maybe I need to take a class~! I think that would be fun too. Another way to meet new people.
5. I would like to run a half-marathon. Last year, I started training for one, but then started working alot of hours....so that put the kabosch on it. So I think I'll try again.
Last year
* I learned how to make Pita Bread (Farm Girl Fare's Recipe) It's awesome...my husband loves it. I make it often...and we use it as pizza crust. Pizza crust for Peanut Butter Pizza. Which was an accomplishment last year, I learned how to make the pizza sauce from scratch~!
* my mom taught me how to make Homemade Laundry Soap - which I now love. Who wouldn't love washing their clothes when it only costs pennies a load~! I'm looking forward to making more batches this year...and investing in some essential oils to make it smell "pretty". What everyone wants - Pretty smelling clothes right?
* Leah taught me how to make mittens from Wool Sweaters. I loved this craft~! My hadns were so warm during hunting this year~! I'm looking forward to making more of these mittens and perfecting the thumbs :) I'm also looking forward to getting the new patterns from her also. Thanks Leah~!
* Leah also taught me how to make an apron...which I love and use often~! I've started making them now in my free time...and am in love with them. I'm having a hard time thinking about giving them away...but how many aprons does one person need really. I can't wait to post pictures of the apron we made....and the new ones that I'm making. This was such a fun project.
* Last year, I also made Suit Purses...and I'm looking forward to working on more of them this year...They need some work before I can be comfortable with putting them on etsy.
* I also made Market Bags...which I can't wait to make more of~! Boy, I need to get my sewing machine out and get it oiled...I want to start sewing now~!
* I also got 2 dogs last year....Chloe & Ellie. Ellie came to us in the end of January. She's my baby...it's been fun having her rambunctious energy in the house. She's such a stinker~! Chloe came for a visit in June...and stayed. She's been so good for Ellie. They love playing together and running crazy through the house. They love getting their owner out of the house and going on walks (which has been good for me too). This next year, I hope to spend more time training them. They sit right now for about 2 seconds...I wonder if they have a longer attention span at times?
* Things I was able to do while in WI...Work in the NICU with all my friends :) It was good to catch up with them all. I will miss them. I miss RJ & Kim too. I wish that I could see them again. If any of you have her number...I would like it. I was able to see all my Wisconsinite friends...Becky & her kids, Leah, Allison & her family, Kari, & Seth. The time I got to spend with you all was awesome. Thanks for getting together with me while I was there. I'm so thankful for that time. I was also able to spend lots of time with my cousin & friend - Erin (my twin) We were able to work together, go to a Packer game together, dinner at her parents house, going to Beauty & the Beast, we went to the movies and had a sleepover~! I love you Erin, I'm thankful for the time we got to spend together. Work will definitely never pass as quickly anywhere else...without you there. AND- I got to spend time with Lydia....I love that girl...she's so much fun~! Brings a smile to my face everytime I think of her. Thanks for spilling the beans too :) I was also able to spend time with my immediate family. I was able to take many shopping trips with my sister-in-laws and mom to Goodwill...PRETTY much my favorite store anywhere~! We found so many good deals...Cole, Sarah, and I went deer shining...good times, but it seems to me there use to be way more deer years ago. I was also able to go hunting this year....which was lots of fun and freezing cold~! Wish I could have seen and shot the 30 pointer. I was able to pend time with my niece and nephews...I was always concerned that Caleb wouldn't know who I was...it was so nice to have him running to me in excitement when I would come to his house. I love you guys~! I enjoyed making donuts, helping with chores, collecting chicken eggs, riding 4 wheeler, going bowling, spending the night at Grandma's house and at your house. You all teach me new things every time I hang out with you. You each have amazing little personalities that I love watching. I can't believe how well you are reading Lucas...you are a very smart boy. Hailey, I love watching you try new things, not being afraid, and always helping others. Caleb, you are a bundle of energy~!!!! We are going to have to find a way to trap that energy and give some of it to your auntie~ :) Brandon, you are so easy going...I'm looking forward to seeing you grow...you are such a little bruit. Wilson, thanks for putting up with Chloe & Ellie, I think you taught them a thing or two. They haven't fought once since we've gotten home. Mom & Dad, thanks for putting up with me while I was there. It was so nice to be in the country and able to just relax...picking apples, kale, & baking. I love being at home. There's something SWEET about going back to where you grew up. I'm thankful for the days I worked 7a-7pm...my dad & I were able to ride to work together...it was nice to be able to catch up on those drives. Mom, thanks for encouraging me and praying with me. There is so much that I could write about...I tried to high-lite bits and pieces of it...
Well, I can smell the bread baking now, and it's about ready to come out of the oven...so I guess it's about time to end this post, but I hope to keep up with it this year.
I love you all~!
May God Bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you.
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