New Day Grace

Put on Your Armor!

2012-05-15T10:02:00.000-05:00

Read at least the first paragraph attached to the John Phillips link below. I heard Dr David Jeremiah quote this, and I had to look it up. Great picture of the spiritual battle we are in! Let's put on our armor Christian Warriors (Ephesians 6:10-18)!

John Phillips http://books.google.com/books?id=1hY-olhOFgMC&pg=PA187&lpg=PA187&ots=grABGQgfjD&dq=john+phillips+and+our+enemies+are+not+people&output=html_text

Menu Plan!

2012-04-30T17:22:00.001-05:00

I'm starting to menu plan again! A great time and money saver!

Weekly Dinner Menu:

Monday: Steak with corn and broccoli cheddar pasta (adding fresh broccoli to Knorr Broccoli cheddar pasta)

Tuesday: Corn Flake Chkn with baked potatoes

http://www.weekly-dinner-ideas.com/baked-chicken-recipes.html

Wed: Lasagna with Italian Bread and Salad

http://menus4moms.com/pdf/sample_busy_mom.pdf

Thurs: Crock Pot Orange Chkn with rice and sesame green beans

http://menus4moms.com/pdf/sample_busy_mom.pdf

Friday: White Chkn Enchiladas with chips, salsa, beans and rice

http://menus4moms.com/pdf/sample_busy_mom.pdf

Sat and Sun: Hubby cooks!

Not Home Yet!

2012-01-26T13:03:00.002-06:00

Although I desire to keep my eyes fixed on eternity, all too often, my vision is cutoff at what this world has to offer. Our souls, our inner persons, will never be satisfied by anything available in this life. The Lord says He has placed eternity in the hearts of men (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Boy, do I ever struggle with this! We are not home yet! This gives me great motivation and hope to make the most of this fleeting life!

I want to make a difference each and every day!

I know I fail miserably at this. However, I will keep getting up, no matter how many times I fall down.

I know He can bring glory from ashes.

I am reading the One Year Chronological Bible via YouVersion. I just read in Exodus how Moses didn't believe he had what it took to do God's work. Yet God still chose to use Moses, and miracles happened!

God made each one of us. He doesn't only use gifts and talents to glorify Him. He uses our failures and handicaps too. Yes, He desires each one of us to Glorify Him!

If I compare myself to the world's standards, I will only get discouraged and become useless. I must rely on God for my worth! He gives me courage to do things I never would believe I could on my own!

Mother Theresa is one of those people who is well known because of her reliance on God to give her great courage! Because she first loved God, His love flowed through her, and she did amazing things!

If we seek after God's heart, and let Him guide us, we will do amazing things too!

Let God write the story of your life!

Here are some quote-able quotes by Mother Theresa. May it encourage and inspire you!

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
Mother Teresa

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.
Mother Teresa

Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.
Mother Teresa

Even the rich are hungry for love, for being cared for, for being wanted, for having someone to call their own.
Mother Teresa

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.
Mother Teresa

I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No, I wouldn't touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God.
Mother Teresa

I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?
Mother Teresa

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
Mother Teresa

If you want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.
Mother Teresa

Intense love does not measure, it just gives.
Mother Teresa

Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.
Mother Teresa

Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.
Mother Teresa

Let us more and more insist on raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding, of peace. Money will come if we seek first the Kingdom of God - the rest will be given.
Mother Teresa

Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.
Mother Teresa

Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.
Mother Teresa

Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.
Mother Teresa

Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action.
Mother Teresa

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home.
Mother Teresa

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.
Mother Teresa

Many people mistake our work for our vocation. Our vocation is the love of Jesus.
Mother Teresa

One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody.
Mother Teresa

Our life of poverty is as necessary as the work itself. Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them.
Mother Teresa

Peace begins with a smile.
Mother Teresa

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
Mother Teresa

The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.
Mother Teresa

The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion because if a mother can kill her own child, what is left for me to kill you and you to kill me? There is nothing between.
Mother Teresa

The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.
Mother Teresa

The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.
Mother Teresa

There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in - that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible.
Mother Teresa

There must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things that we could use.
Mother Teresa

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.
Mother Teresa

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
Mother Teresa

We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.
Mother Teresa

We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.
Mother Teresa

Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.
Mother Teresa

Supplementing Your Sundays

2011-11-20T09:33:00.001-06:00

As a Christ follower, Sundays aren't the only day I should seek to learn about Him. In fact, if you are really after God's own heart, you can't settle for just Sundays! The desire to know Him more grows as you truly seek Him! It is so crucial for our Christian walk to spend time reading the Bible, supplementing additional teachings through watching sermons, studying devotionals and other books, and in **prayer.

(**Which I feel very strongly is the most important. For that is how we quiet ourselves enough to feel His presence. Without prayer, our walk with Christ is very distant. We can never "know" his heart without seeking to really know Him through Prayer.)

To supplement my weekly Church's sermons, I've lately really enjoyed Perry Stone's Manna Fest series, which I originally found on television, but have since been watching online.

Perry's Voice of Evangelism Website is @ http://www.voe.org/. On the left side of the page there is a link to the weekly Manna Fest video, check it out! You are sure to learn more about our Lord through Perry's teachings on His Word!

I also have watched a couple sermon series from Mars Hill Church with our couples small group in the past: The Peasant Princess and Spiritual Warfare. Both have been extremely insightful! Here is a link to most of the sermons, which also have notes you can print off: http://marshill.com/media/sermons

My favorite devotional is My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. His devotionals challenge me in my walk with God. No matter how many times I've read the same devotional through the years, I always gain new understanding and wisdom! Here is the link: http://utmost.org/

I love this quote next to Oswals's devotional today:

"The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else. “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord”;… The Highest Good—The Pilgrim’s Song Book, 537 L

I have also been reading a devotional, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young via an android app. Below is a copy of an entry from November 13, which I particularly appreciated:

“I am Christ in you, the hope of Glory. The One who walks beside you, holding you by your hand, is the same One who lives within you. This is a deep, unfathomable mystery. You and I are intertwined in an intimacy involving every fiber of your being. The Light of My Presence shines within you, as well as upon you. I am in you, and you are in Me; therefore, nothing in heaven or on earth can separate you from Me!

As you sit quietly in My Presence, your awareness of My Life within you is heightened. This produces the Joy of the Lord, which is your strength. I, the God of hope, fill you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Me, so that you may bubble over with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:27; Isaiah 42:6; Nehemiah 8:10; Romans 15:13”

Matters of Opinion: Hallowing Halloween (directly linked from Christianity Today)

2011-10-18T14:53:00.001-05:00

Below is a link to a great article regarding a Christian world view of Halloween.

Matters of Opinion: Hallowing Halloween | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

HE is with me...

2011-10-07T11:01:00.001-05:00

I haven't been blogging much lately. I won't go into detail about the ups and downs of my life recently, but I will say that I have had a case of "bunchiness". My grandmother has said that it seems things in life happen in bunches. I very much agree with that right now. I have been pulled in what feels like a million different directions. I recently came to the place where I was so fatigued that I didn't even know what to pray. I remembered this passage from Romans 8:18-30 and felt encouraged because I know Jesus is always with me.

18-21That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

22-25All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

26-28Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

29-30God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.

Thankfully, God subtly and sweetly reminds me that He is always with me. I feel His peace and joy in my soul despite any tribulation I go through. I pray that no matter where you are today, that you too reach out to God and feel His presence in your life.

The Lord's Prayer

2011-09-26T00:10:00.000-05:00

Matthew 6:9-13

In this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever. Amen.

Healthy Living Challenge: Wk 6!

2011-09-16T11:03:00.009-05:00

We are now almost complete with the last week of my 6 Week Healthy Living Challenge! Please check out the link if you are viewing this for the first time!

Before you read below, I challenge you to watch this message given by one of my pastors at church, Troy Kennedy. It's a great message about making Jesus the center of every aspect of our lives- including our physical health! Check it out @ http://www.westsidefamilychurch.com/recentmessages.html, then click on Cow Tipping: Supersize Me!

Since week 6 is almost complete, I am going to incorporate a review of both weeks 5 and 6, and then further summarize the past 6 weeks and give some goals for the future!

Week 5 Recap:

I did cardio only 2 days, which was my old school Tae Bo workout videos ;)

Also, I did go on a couple fast-paced walks, but no jogging for me.

I have been using my free weights for some upper body strength training.
I ate salad for lunch 3 out of the 7 days, and tried to make healthy choices the other days.

Meatless Day- Accomplished :)

Week 6 Recap:

I have done 3 workout videos this week including Hip Hop Abs, Dancing with the Stars Latin Cardio Dance, and today I have done Crunch's Fat Burning Yoga Workout. I have also continued doing upper and lower body strength training with free weights and walking lunges, calf raises and wall squats.

I have eaten salad 3 out of the past 6 days (I still have 1 more day left ;) I have eaten healthy at lunch with the exception Wednesday when I ate chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy... compliments of my hospital's cafeteria (they really do serve tasty food... my very favorite is their tomato bisque soup!)

Meatless Day: Accomplished :)

Again, as I have shared in weeks prior, here are some resources for healthy salad recipes:

Fit Watch: Free E-Book Salad Recipes

Eating Well: Healthy Salad Recipes

All Recipes: Healthy Salads

Reader's Digest: Fresh Salad Recipes

Medicine Net: Salad Recipes

Woman's Day: Healthy Hearty Salads

Good Housekeeping: Healthy Salads

About Salads: Easy Healthy Salad Recipes

Epicurious: Main Course Salads

Savvy Vegetarian: Salad Recipes

Food Network: Salad Recipe Collection

Other helpful links:

Meatless Mondays: "Why Meatless?

Target Heart Rate Calculator: target level

Why you should exercise and other info: Web MD Cardio, CDC Exercise, ACSM, and AHA

Overview of the past 6 weeks, and future plans:

During the past 6 weeks I have been intentional about eating healthier and exercising more. Although I am not perfect, I have succeeded to some degree.

I have been reminded that to accomplish a goal, we must be intentional about it. Whether in our internal or external, our spiritual, physical, or emotional lives, we must be disciplined to move forward. We can't expect things to change on their own.

The past 6 weeks has been a growing process for me. I've recognized my faults, such as time management and procrastinating, and am still working on them. I tend to get discouraged and be somewhat unmotivated at times. However, I've found that when I focus my eyes on Jesus, seeking HIM and His Will, HE becomes my motivation, and with HIM I know I can do anything! HE is better motivation than anything this life has to offer!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who [a]infuses inner strength into me; I am [b]self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. (Philippians 4:13)

But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. (Matthew 6:33)

So, as I move forward, I am going to focus on being healthy holistically. I always need my relationship with Jesus to be first and foremost, at the center of my wheel. As I do this, every other aspect of my life becomes balanced! Everything else pales in comparison to His beauty! As I live my life, I pray it is a reflection of Him. I have a lot of work to do, but if I take each day one at a time with Him as my guide, I am well equipped for any challenge! My prayer for you is the same too!

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, (1 Corinthians 6:19 AMP)

“ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (M atthew 11:29-30)

So, lets continue and create more good habits that will carry on into the rest of our lives. Make every aspect of our lives glorify HIM! To start, we need to spend time with HIM. I personally shoot for at least 15 minutes a day of quiet time with God... whether it be in the morning, during my girls' quiet time, or after everyone else has gone to bed for the night. God desires relationship, not religion. Read God’s word, and study it through a good devotional or Bible study, talk to God through prayer.

We are in an age where life is busier, and technology is more prominent in trying to accommodate by making things faster and easier to access. I find a lot of what I do through technology, whether it be on my phone or computer. Here are some of my personal favorite “God Time” web-pages. (FYI: I am suggesting them, but not promoting them over any other resource):

www.biblegateway.com (look up scripture and compare different versions of God’s Word)

http://westsidefamilychurch.com/recentmessages.html (You can watch, listen and read notes from a library of recent teachings)

www.rbc.org (my personal favorite devotional is on here: My Utmost for His Highest)

www.crosswalk.com (this one also has links to other great resources)

www.girlfriendsingod.com (with my church's lead teaching pastor's wife Mary Southerland)

www.everydaytruth66.blogspot.com (by my fellow church member Lori Fairchild)

www.kyria.com (for women- chosen in Christ, called to influence)

www.gospel.com (a community of online ministries)

http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Bible-Studies-and-Devotions.html

ANY OTHER GREAT CHRISTIAN RESOURCES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!

BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!

Remembering 9/11/2001...

2011-09-11T09:01:00.001-05:00

I will never forget where I was that day. I was a senior in high school sitting in my Fashion Careers class. My teacher rolled in a television and we all watched in disbelief after the first plane struck the World Trade Towers, then a second, then the other third plane hitting the Pentagon, and finally a fourth plane crashing prior to hitting the White House.

My heart broke then and still breaks today. Tragedy in this life is painful. It doesn't make sense when innocent lives are lost and loved ones are hurt forever. We remind ourselves today, and we should everyday, that we cannot take a moment for granted. This life is unpredictable.

Fortunately, there is more than just this life! There is a perfect place Jesus invites us to go... for eternity. No more tears, no more pain. That is where my hope is. Jesus calls us to draw near to Him, and draw others near to Him too. Lets shine His hope into the lives of the hopeless.

Remembering and praying for those still suffering from the horrific events of 9/11/2001. Praying for all the people in the world today facing trials in life that are horrific and hopeless. There is hope in Jesus!

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (Psalm 46)

Seeking Simplicity

2011-09-06T14:04:00.004-05:00

I awoke from my sleep in the middle of the night with, what felt like, a million to-dos running through my head. Anxiety and stress take a toll on us mentally, physically and spiritually. I was thinking how I've neglected my relationship with Jesus lately. Amidst the busyness of life, my eyes are taken off Him and onto much less important things. I felt my heart pounding in my chest and my blood pressure rising as the cares of this world filled my mind. I prayed, read a some scripture, and having my allergies in full swing I took a benadryl and went back to sleep.

Later in the day, I read the 6th chapter of Matthew, and it has calmed my soul. It reminds me that it is the simple things in life that bring peace and joy. When my life is centered on God, and my relationship with Him is nourished first, then the things of this world fade in the Light of His glory and grace.

So today I am redirecting my thoughts to Him- The creator of Heaven and Earth. Nothing can compare to His beauty and majesty. Amazingly, He wants me. He desires an intimate relationship with every person on this Earth- including you and I. Wow, when pause long enough to really think about the depth of His love for us I can't help but be completely humbled and in awe!

So, on that note, here are a few simple things I am thankful for today:

*Love... the most powerful thing on earth, and the way God shines through our lives
*Benadryl (medications in general)
* A beautiful sunny, crisp autumn-like day
* Clean drinking water
*My family
*Food, and more than enough to feed several families for several days
*Freedom of Religion, something in the U.S. we take for granted
*Our Jobs

My Prayer:
Thank you Jesus for blessing me today with all of these things and so much more. Help me to not take for granted the simple things in life. I pray my family can together simplify our lives to better focus on You Jesus, instead of our own worries and earthly priorities. Thank you Jesus for loving me, and for willfully dying on the cross for my sins so that I may someday live eternally in paradise with You. Amen.

Matthew 6
The World Is Not a Stage
1 "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. 2-4"When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
Pray with Simplicity

5"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
6"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

7-13"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

   Our Father in heaven,
   Reveal who you are.
   Set the world right;
   Do what's best— as above, so below.
   Keep us alive with three square meals.
   Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
   Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
   You're in charge!
   You can do anything you want!
   You're ablaze in beauty!
   Yes. Yes. Yes.

14-15"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.

16-18"When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well.

A Life of God-Worship

19-21"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
22-23"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!

24"You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.

25-26"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

27-29"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

30-33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Healthy Living Challenge: Wk 5

2011-09-06T12:32:00.000-05:00

This is week 5 of my 6 Week Healthy Living Challenge. Please check out the link if you are viewing this for the first time.

Before you read below, I challenge you to watch this message given by one of my pastors at church, Troy Kennedy. It's a great message about making Jesus the center of every aspect of our lives- including our physical health! Check it out @ http://www.westsidefamilychurch.com/recentmessages.html then click on Cow Tipping: Supersize Me!

Week 4 Recap:

I worked out 3 days. I'm enjoying jogging more :)

I ate salad for lunch 3 out of the 7 days... labor day weekend put me a little behind :)

Meatless day- accomplished :)

Below is this week's lunch menu:

(FYI- If I am in a time crunch, or am missing an ingredient, I make due with substitutions. I am looking forward to trying some new salad recipes!)

Week 5

Sun: B-day lunch for my nephew :)

Monday: Labor Day! Didn't eat salad- oops!

Tuesday: McD's Southwest Salad for me - I let the girls have a treat after tumbling (everything in moderation right?) :)

Wed: BLT Salad (can't get enough of this :)

Thursday: Roquefort Pear Salad

Friday: Fresh Garden Salad (Meatless Day)

Saturday: Mandarin Orange & Spinach Salad

Week 5's Exercise Plan:

Monday: jog 1.5 mi

Tues: go on a walk with the girls, Resistance training- Back and Biceps (curls, lat pull down, etc)

Wednesday: core training (plank holds, crunches, scissor exercises, etc.)

Thursday: pilates video, resistance- legs (lunges, squats, leg lifts, etc..)

Friday: jog 1.5mi, resistance- chest and triceps (push ups, tricep kick-backs, etc), core training

Here are some resources for healthy salad recipe ideas:

Fit Watch: Free E-Book Salad Recipes

Eating Well: Healthy Salad Recipes

All Recipes: Healthy Salads

Reader's Digest: Fresh Salad Recipes

Medicine Net: Salad Recipes

Woman's Day: Healthy Hearty Salads

Good Housekeeping: Healthy Salads

About Salads: Easy Healthy Salad Recipes

Epicurious: Main Course Salads

Savvy Vegetarian: Salad Recipes

Food Network: Salad Recipe Collection

Other helpful links:

Meatless Mondays: "Why Meatless?

Target Heart Rate Calculator: target level

Why you should exercise and other info: Web MD Cardio, CDC Exercise, ACSM, and AHA

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, (1 Corinthians 6:19 AMP)

If you are going to join me on this challenge, or want to leave a salad recipe, please leave a comment (with your link too if applicable). Thanks!

My Utmost for His Highest: 8.30.11

2011-08-30T12:53:00.000-05:00

Today's devotional by Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest:

Usefulness or Relationship?

Aug

2011

Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven —Luke 10:20

Jesus Christ is saying here, “Don’t rejoice in your successful service for Me, but rejoice because of your right relationship with Me.” The trap you may fall into in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service— rejoicing in the fact that God has used you. Yet you will never be able to measure fully what God will do through you if you have a right-standing relationship with Jesus Christ. If you keep your relationship right with Him, then regardless of your circumstances or whoever you encounter each day, He will continue to pour “rivers of living water” through you (John 7:38). And it is actually by His mercy that He does not let you know it. Once you have the right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances may be, you have been placed in them by God. And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill His purpose, as long as you continue to “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7).

Our tendency today is to put the emphasis on service. Beware of the people who make their request for help on the basis of someone’s usefulness. If you make usefulness the test, then Jesus Christ was the greatest failure who ever lived. For the saint, direction and guidance come from God Himself, not some measure of that saint’s usefulness. It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him. All that our Lord gives His attention to in a person’s life is that person’s relationship with God— something of great value to His Father. Jesus is “bringing many sons to glory . . .” (Hebrews 2:10).

Bible in One Year: Psalms 129-131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Categories: Attitudes, Christian Life, Humility, Power For Living, Pride, Relating To God, Relationships

Tags: Humility, Power For Living, Pride

Share Usefulness or Relationship? with your friends:

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Healthy Living Challenge: Wk 4

2011-08-30T12:28:00.005-05:00

This is week 4 of my 6 Week Healthy Living Challenge. Please check out the link if you are viewing this for the first time.

Before you read below, I challenge you to watch this message given by one of my pastors at church, Troy Kennedy. It's a great message about making Jesus the center of every aspect of our lives- including our physical health! Check it out @ http://www.westsidefamilychurch.com/recentmessages.html then click on Cow Tipping: Supersize Me!

Week 3 Recap:

I worked out 3 days. I'm starting to like my free weights at home more :)

I ate salad for lunch 4 out of the 7 days :)

Meatless day- accomplished :)

Below is this week's lunch menu:

(FYI- If I am in a time crunch, or am missing an ingredient, I make due with substitutions. I am looking forward to trying some new salad recipes!)

Week 4

Sun: After Church Family Dinner :)

Monday: Failed. Yes, the day was meatless, but I did not eat a salad. It was a Snickers bar (oops!). I gave in. I actually didn't take a lunch break at work. I ate the bar at 3p- I was starving. Bad choice. I didn't feel well the rest of the eve, and skipped dinner b/c of an upset belly. ;( Better day tomorrow!

Tuesday: Spinach Chicken salad with blue cheese, pine nuts, cranberries and orange vinaigrette.

Wed: BLT Salad (yes, again - I love this :)

Thursday: The Best Chicken Salad

Friday: Fresh Garden Salad

Saturday: Lunch with my in-laws :)

Week 4's Exercise Plan:

Monday: jog 1.5 mi

Tues: go on a walk with the girls, Resistance training- Back and Biceps (curls, lat pull down, etc)

Wednesday: core training (plank holds, crunches, scissor exercises, etc.)

Thursday: pilates video, resistance- legs (lunges, squats, leg lifts, etc..)

Friday: jog 1.5mi, resistance- chest and triceps (push ups, tricep kick-backs, etc), core training

Here are some resources for healthy salad recipe ideas:

Fit Watch: Free E-Book Salad Recipes

Eating Well: Healthy Salad Recipes

All Recipes: Healthy Salads

Reader's Digest: Fresh Salad Recipes

Medicine Net: Salad Recipes

Woman's Day: Healthy Hearty Salads

Good Housekeeping: Healthy Salads

About Salads: Easy Healthy Salad Recipes

Epicurious: Main Course Salads

Savvy Vegetarian: Salad Recipes

Food Network: Salad Recipe Collection

Other helpful links:

Meatless Mondays: "Why Meatless?

Target Heart Rate Calculator: target level

Why you should exercise and other info: Web MD Cardio, CDC Exercise, ACSM, and AHA

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, (1 Corinthians 6:19 AMP)

If you are going to join me on this challenge, or want to leave a salad recipe, please leave a comment (with your link too if applicable). Thanks!

Healthy Living Challenge: Wk 3

2011-08-22T12:20:00.002-05:00

This is week 3 of my 6 Week Healthy Living Challenge. Please check out the link if you are viewing this for the first time.

Last week I ran 3 times with my 4 year old and husband as we pushed our youngest daughter in her stroller! It was fun :)

As far as eating salads for lunch, it was a success for 5 out of the 7 days :)

Meatless Monday, has been switched this week and last to Meatless Tuesday :)

Below is this week's lunch menu:

(FYI- If I am in a time crunch, or am missing an ingredient, I make due with substitutions. I am looking forward to trying some new salad recipes!)

Week 3

Sun: After Church Family Picnic :)

Monday: BLT Salad (yes, again this week because I loved it so much :)

Tuesday: (Meatless day) House garden salad with chickpeas and raspberry vinaigrette

Wed: Traditional Tuna salad (using low fat mayo) with saltine crackers

Thursday: Chinese Chicken Salad

Friday: Steak Chop Salad

Saturday: Work Picnic :)

Week 3's Exercise Plan:

Monday: jog 1.5 mi

Tues: go on a walk with the girls, Resistance training- Back and Biceps (curls, lat pull down, etc)

Wednesday: off

Thursday: pilates video, resistance- legs (lunges, squats, leg lifts, etc..)

Friday: jog 1.5mi, resistance- chest and triceps (push ups, tricep kick-backs, etc)

Here are some resources for healthy salad recipe ideas:

Fit Watch: Free E-Book Salad Recipes

Eating Well: Healthy Salad Recipes

All Recipes: Healthy Salads

Reader's Digest: Fresh Salad Recipes

Medicine Net: Salad Recipes

Woman's Day: Healthy Hearty Salads

Good Housekeeping: Healthy Salads

About Salads: Easy Healthy Salad Recipes

Epicurious: Main Course Salads

Savvy Vegetarian: Salad Recipes

Food Network: Salad Recipe Collection

Other helpful links:

Meatless Mondays: "Why Meatless?

Target Heart Rate Calculator: target level

Why you should exercise and other info: Web MD Cardio, CDC Exercise, ACSM, and AHA

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, (1 Corinthians 6:19 AMP)

If you are going to join me on this challenge, or want to leave a salad recipe, please leave a comment (with your link too if applicable). Thanks!

Healthy Living Challenge: Wk 2

2011-08-15T13:32:00.001-05:00

This is week 2 of my 6 Week Healthy Living Challenge. Please check out the link if you are viewing this for the first time.

Last week I got sick midway through the week, so it cramped my style for a couple days. But now I'm back! I worked out twice last week and once so far this week (good for me since it had been 0 days/wk ;)

As far as eating salads for lunch, it was a success for 4 out of the 7 days. The other days, I at least ate healthy, even if it wasn't a salad.

Today is meatless Monday, which I forgot about as I made a breakfast which included bacon, eggs and sausage for my girl's first day of preschool. So this week Meatless Monday is switching to Tuesday :)

Below is this week's lunch menu:

(FYI- If I am in a time crunch, or am missing an ingredient, I make due with substitutions. I am looking forward to trying some new salad recipes!)

Week 2

Sun: After Church Family Dinner

Monday: BLT Salad (I used leftover bacon from b-fast, it was really yummy)

Tuesday: (Meatless day) Edamame, Corn, Tomato and Bean Salad

Wed Trader Joe's Complete "Baby Spinach" Salad with cranberries, pecans, blue cheese and raspberry drsg

Thursday: Mediterranean Tuna Antipasto Salad

Friday: Fruity Curry Chicken Salad

Saturday: Cranberry Spinach Salad

Week 2's Exercise Plan:

Monday: Met hubby at the gym- jog 1.5 mi, Resistance training- Back and Biceps (curls, lat pull down, etc)

Tues: go on a walk with the girls

Wednesday: off

Thursday: pilates video, resistance- legs (lunges, squats, leg lifts, etc..)

Friday: jog 1.5mi, resistance- chest and triceps (push ups, tricep kick-backs, etc)

Here are some resources for healthy salad recipe ideas:

Fit Watch: Free E-Book Salad Recipes

Eating Well: Healthy Salad Recipes

All Recipes: Healthy Salads

Reader's Digest: Fresh Salad Recipes

Medicine Net: Salad Recipes

Woman's Day: Healthy Hearty Salads

Good Housekeeping: Healthy Salads

About Salads: Easy Healthy Salad Recipes

Epicurious: Main Course Salads

Savvy Vegetarian: Salad Recipes

Food Network: Salad Recipe Collection

Other helpful links:

Meatless Mondays: "Why Meatless?

Target Heart Rate Calculator: target level

Why you should exercise and other info: Web MD Cardio, CDC Exercise, ACSM, and AHA

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, (1 Corinthians 6:19 AMP)

If you are going to join me on this challenge, or want to leave a salad recipe, please leave a comment (with your link too if applicable). Thanks!

King of Peace

2011-08-09T15:10:00.003-05:00

I LOVE this song and the lyrics. It really spoke to my heart when I heard Generation Letter perform this song at my church last Sunday. Listen to the King of Peace song over and over, and it gets better and better.

http://www.worshipmatters.com/2010/10/15/generation-letter-video-king-of-peace/

http://www.generationletter.com/

“King of Peace” reminds us that God is always present and offers His peace in the midst of suffering and trials.

Here are the lyrics:

KING OF PEACE

Verse 1
Lord, your children have not been spared
From this worlds daily trials and cares
We know weakness, fear and sorrow, yet weʼre not alone
You are near in our time of need
You are faithful you hear our pleas
You give grace to all who hope in your mighty name

Chorus
King of peace you calm our raging storms
All we need is found within your arms
We find rest by your quiet stream
King of peace

Verse 2
We were rebels against your reign
We were haters of your great name
When you saved us from your justice and from ourselves
You gave life to our hearts of stone
Made a way for us to your throne
Where we lay down all our burdens at your feet

Bridge
We stand upon your faithfulness As we trust in you

By George Romanacce, Stephen Morgan, John Ripley, and Steve Cook
Copyright © 2010 Generation Letter

The Real Thing

2011-08-09T11:34:00.002-05:00

As I bit into sweet, crisp, cool, refreshing watermelon, I thought nothing tastes quite this good on a hot summer's day. While I was eating, my thoughts dove a little deeper. I love fresh watermelon, but am not crazy about the artificial watermelon candy flavor. Too often (in other areas than just watermelon) I am tempted to settle for second best. Why eat watermelon candy if I can have the real thing?

Unfortunately, fresh watermelon is not available all the time. However, when it comes to filling our souls with " real food", the best is always available. We all have souls! Agnostics will still fill their spiritual cups with something! Even people professing to be Christians can still miss the "ultimate meal".

So what is the "main meal" or "real food"?

It's a relationship with Jesus!

Think about it this way, if you had an expensive Filet dinner (or whatever your dream meal may be) sitting in front of you, would you ask for the something off the dollar menu at a fast food restaurant instead? No way!

As Christ followers we can sometimes get distracted from our relationship with Jesus, and do things of Jesus instead. Does that make sense? Being a good person and doing good deeds are things that will come naturally and will be more fruitful when they stem first from our relationship with Christ.

So, let's eat healthy breakfasts to start our days right (being in God's word and in prayer)! In the busyness of life it is easy to be too busy, and then instead be tempted to snack on "junk" food throughout the day. I know if I don't eat breakfast, by mid morning my tummy is growling and I might give in to some m&ms. Doctors and nutritionists agree that a healthy breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Let's do ourselves right first thing in the morning with some good food for our tummies and more importantly our souls!

Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body[a] and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:20)

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

6 Week Healthy Living Challenge

2011-08-08T21:18:00.000-05:00

I have 3 challenges for the next 6 weeks in an effort live healthier! If you struggle with eating right and working out like I do, I encourage you to join me in this challenge!

My first challenge is eating salads for lunch (as your meal). Unfortunately for me, lunch is usually when I tend to be the worst at eating healthy. Especially when I am out and about, I have a tendency to grab something fast. This is not only unhealthy most of the time, but also expensive!

So, here are the details of this salad challenge:

Eat salads (almost) every lunch meal. Our personal exceptions are for the girls on their 2 preschool days, and for all of us for Sunday dinners which is usually a lunch/dinner combo after church. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, it is, but there are a few more rules. If possible, the salads should be prepared at home which saves money and is usually healthier too. Also, they should be made with minimal processed ingredients and other unhealthy additions (ie ranch dressing. If you make your own vinaigrettes with Olive Oil, that would be ideal).

My second challenge is "Meatless Mondays" for all meals and snacks. I know I'm jumping on the bandwagon, but despite my love for a juicy steak, I do believe going meatless one day each week has health benefits. (See "Why Meatless?")

The last challenge is to workout! I have found myself in a rut of being busy, but not exercising. I am busy being a mom, and when I work I am busy walking around. However, I'd hardly call that "exercising". So, I am going to start really exercising 3 times per week. I am going to get my heart rate up to my target level for at least 30 minutes each time (jogging, aerobic video, etc) with an additional 15 minutes or more of resistance training (free weights, exercise bands, weight machines, etc). (See Web MD Cardio, CDC Exercise, ACSM, and AHA).

So, to simplify things, here are my 3 challenges for the next 6 weeks:

1) Salad Lunch Challenge

2) Meatless Mondays

3) Exercise at least 3 times per week

***To start things off, here is my lunch menu for this week:

(FYI- If I am in a time crunch, or am missing an ingredient, I make due with substitutions. I am looking forward to trying some new salad recipes!)

Week 1

Sun: After Church Family Dinner

Monday: Garden Tomato Caprese Salad

Tuesday: Cucumber Black Eyed Pea Salad

Wednesday: Snow Pea Orange Jicama Salad

Thursday: Italian Tuna and White Bean Salad

Friday: Caesar Salad with Healthy Dressing

Saturday: Warm Bean and Sausage Salad

Here are some resources for healthy salad recipe ideas:

Fit Watch: Free E-Book Salad Recipes

Eating Well: Healthy Salad Recipes

All Recipes: Healthy Salads

Reader's Digest: Fresh Salad Recipes

Medicine Net: Salad Recipes

Woman's Day: Healthy Hearty Salads

Good Housekeeping: Healthy Salads

About Salads: Easy Healthy Salad Recipes

Epicurious: Main Course Salads

Savvy Vegetarian: Salad Recipes

Food Network: Salad Recipe Collection

If you are going to join me on this challenge, or want to leave a salad recipe, please leave a comment (with your link too if applicable). Thanks!

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, (1 Corinthians 6:19 AMP)

My Utmost for His Highest: 8.8.11

2011-08-08T16:24:00.000-05:00

Here's today's read from my personal favorite devotional My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers plus a great quote from him:

Wisdom from Oswald Chambers

The great point of Abraham’s faith in God was that he was prepared to do anything for God. Not Knowing Whither, 903 R

Prayer in the Father’s Honor

Aug

2011

. . . that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God —Luke 1:35

If the Son of God has been born into my human flesh, then am I allowing His holy innocence, simplicity, and oneness with the Father the opportunity to exhibit itself in me? What was true of the Virgin Mary in the history of the Son of God’s birth on earth is true of every saint. God’s Son is born into me through the direct act of God; then I as His child must exercise the right of a child— the right of always being face to face with my Father through prayer. Do I find myself continually saying in amazement to the commonsense part of my life, “Why did you want me to turn here or to go over there? ’Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’ ” (Luke 2:49). Whatever our circumstances may be, that holy, innocent, and eternal Child must be in contact with His Father.

Am I simple enough to identify myself with my Lord in this way? Is He having His wonderful way with me? Is God’s will being fulfilled in that His Son has been formed in me (see Galatians 4:19), or have I carefully pushed Him to one side? Oh, the noisy outcry of today! Why does everyone seem to be crying out so loudly? People today are crying out for the Son of God to be put to death. There is no room here for God’s Son right now— no room for quiet, holy fellowship and oneness with the Father.

Is the Son of God praying in me, bringing honor to the Father, or am I dictating my demands to Him? Is He ministering in me as He did in the time of His manhood here on earth? Is God’s Son in me going through His passion, suffering so that His own purposes might be fulfilled? The more a person knows of the inner life of God’s most mature saints, the more he sees what God’s purpose really is: to “. . . fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ . . .” (Colossians 1:24). And when we think of what it takes to “fill up,” there is always something yet to be done.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 74-76; Romans 9:16-33

Categories: Character, Christian Life, Christlikeness, Prayer, Relating To God,Relationships, Submission

Tags: Christlikeness, Prayer, Submission

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Rejoice!

2011-08-02T12:13:00.002-05:00

Even though it is reeealy hot outside today, and I could find many reasons to selfishly complain, I am choosing to praise God and rejoice in Him!!!

Celebrate God.
Sing together—everyone!
All you honest hearts, raise the roof!
(Psalm 32:11)

I will sing for joy in God,
   explode in praise from deep in my soul!
He dressed me up in a suit of salvation,
   he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo
   and a bride a jeweled tiara.
For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers,
   and as a garden cascades with blossoms,
So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom
   and puts praise on display before the nations. (Isaiah 61:10-11)

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
(Philippians 4:4-5)

Jesus Manifesto

2011-08-01T12:20:00.028-05:00

If you call yourself a Christian, yet you say you don't have time to study the Bible, don't like to read, etc., you are missing out! I use to have that same mindset. Even more saddening, I had that heart-set (and I still do sometimes). I am a lot more selfish than I ever acknowledged because I always compared myself with society's standards rather than God’s standards (to simply love and seek Him first).

We must make a daily decision to pursue Him, a daily discipline that is easy to fail at. Picture yourself in a boat on stagnant water. If you stop rowing (seeking Jesus), you stop going (growing in your relationship), and you can actually start to float backwards. If you want to live like you never have, you'll have to live like you never have. Genius, I know ;)

The wrong perspective many people have is that they are either intimidated by the Bible, or don't think it’s worth the time (they don’t really believe it holds the treasure it does). It's importance is discounted, and they hurry along continuing to run their rat-race lives... only hoping sometime they will find true peace. Well, you don't have to just hope! When our souls crave for something deeper, they crave for Jesus himself. Its that simple!

This earthly life and everything in it is mortal. No mortal thing can give peace to an immortal soul. Even though you may have asked Jesus in your heart and consider yourself a "Christian" (You non-chalantly believe Jesus is the son of God, you are a good person, and maybe you regularly attend church), it is vital to know that is not the end-all. That is where knowing Jesus and the life of a Christ follower starts! His soul-satisfying peace and abundant life is right at your fingertips! All you have to do is surrender to and whole-heartedly seek Him- He will do the rest!

I sometimes still get caught up in the wrong mindset, but I am quicker to get back on track. Utilizing Bible studies that have unlocked scripture has been immensely helpful. We are blessed to have freedom of religion in this country, and there is a plethora of free Bible teaching materials out there! So use it!

On that thought, I am going to recommend a wonderful book I am in the midst of:

Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

The idea behind the book is that many who call themselves Christians have allowed the things of God to become more important than a personal relationship with Jesus himself.

This book brings us to the center of Christianity, which is Christ himself. If we seek Him and love Him, everything else in life will fall into place. In other words, our perspective of life changes as we grow deeper in love with Him. The troubles of this world will pale in comparison to His awesome beauty and power.

There is so much good wisdom in this book. I love the quote from page 58, "If you will sink your roots deep in Christ, who is your life, you will not be able to stop the fruit from coming forth." Another quote from page 39 states, "When things go wrong, it’s not because we don’t understand certain doctrines or fail to follow particular commands. It’s because we lave lost our “first love”… or never had it in the first place."

So, wherever you are in your spiritual journey, take the time to acknowledge it. Ask God the questions you have, and seek the answers from Him through His word and through prayer.

Praying for you today!

God's Up to Something Good

2011-07-30T00:08:00.001-05:00

There is a song we dance and sing to in our children's church has been in my head the past few days. I don't know who sings it, but below is the YouTube video:

God is Up to Something Good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVGzqWXgQuM

Isaiah 43 has been speaking to me lately.

Don't give up. Keep moving forward. God is up to something good! When I am struggling I pray for perseverance, endurance, and joy amidst my hardships. I pray that for you too. I know Jesus is the only way I've made it through trials in this life. We must keep eternity in mind. My hope rests in Him. May we keep our eyes fixed 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. (Hebrews 12:2)

Isaiah 43

The Message (MSG)

Isaiah 43

When You're Between a Rock and a Hard Place

^1-4 But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
   the One who got you started, Israel:
"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.
   I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
   When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place,
   it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
   The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
   all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That's how much you mean to me!
   That's how much I love you!
I'd sell off the whole world to get you back,
   trade the creation just for you. ^5-7"So don't be afraid: I'm with you.
   I'll round up all your scattered children,
   pull them in from east and west.
I'll send orders north and south:
   'Send them back.
Return my sons from distant lands,
   my daughters from faraway places.
I want them back, every last one who bears my name,
   every man, woman, and child
Whom I created for my glory,
   yes, personally formed and made each one.'"
^8-13Get the blind and deaf out here and ready—
   the blind (though there's nothing wrong with their eyes)
   and the deaf (though there's nothing wrong with their ears).
Then get the other nations out here and ready.
   Let's see what they have to say about this,
   how they account for what's happened.
Let them present their expert witnesses
   and make their case;
   let them try to convince us what they say is true.
"But you are my witnesses." God's Decree.
   "You're my handpicked servant
So that you'll come to know and trust me,
   understand both that I am and who I am.
Previous to me there was no such thing as a god,
   nor will there be after me.
I, yes I, am God.
   I'm the only Savior there is.
I spoke, I saved, I told you what existed
   long before these upstart gods appeared on the scene.
And you know it, you're my witnesses,
   you're the evidence." God's Decree.
"Yes, I am God.
   I've always been God
   and I always will be God.
No one can take anything from me.
   I make; who can unmake it?"

You Didn't Even Do the Minimum

^14-15God, your Redeemer,
   The Holy of Israel, says:
"Just for you, I will march on Babylon.
   I'll turn the tables on the Babylonians.
Instead of whooping it up,
   they'll be wailing.
I am God, your Holy One,
   Creator of Israel, your King." ^16-21This is what God says,
   the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
   who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
   they lie down and then can't get up;
   they're snuffed out like so many candles:
"Forget about what's happened;
   don't keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.
   It's bursting out! Don't you see it?
There it is! I'm making a road through the desert,
   rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say 'Thank you!'
   —the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
   rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
   the people I made especially for myself,
   a people custom-made to praise me.
^22-24"But you didn't pay a bit of attention to me, Jacob.
   You so quickly tired of me, Israel.
You wouldn't even bring sheep for offerings in worship.
   You couldn't be bothered with sacrifices.
It wasn't that I asked that much from you.
   I didn't expect expensive presents.
But you didn't even do the minimum—
   so stingy with me, so closefisted.
Yet you haven't been stingy with your sins.
   You've been plenty generous with them—and I'm fed up.
²⁵"But I, yes I, am the one
   who takes care of your sins—that's what I do.
   I don't keep a list of your sins.
^26-28"So, make your case against me. Let's have this out.
   Make your arguments. Prove you're in the right.
Your original ancestor started the sinning,
   and everyone since has joined in.
That's why I had to disqualify the Temple leaders,
   repudiate Jacob and discredit Israel."

Quote of the Day: 7.8.11

2011-07-08T11:46:00.002-05:00

Thanks to my friend Erin E. for posting this quote on Facebook! I just had to repost!

Its a good reminder not to discount whatever seemingly small task you are doing to serve God. He sees everything, and most importantly He sees our hearts and our intentions.

"Ministry to the individual is as mighty an act of God as
is ministry to the masses. We'd be mistaken to conclude
that God is honored more by a speaker to hundreds
than a homemaker praying with a neighbor to receive
Christ or a mom singing "Jesus Loves Me" with her
preschooler. Every faithful servant displays the mighty
work of God. Each a hero in His sight." ~B. Moore

Creamy One Dish Pasta Bake

2011-07-08T07:18:00.002-05:00

I looked what was in my pantry and fridge for dinner last night. I put this together and it was yummy :)

16oz spiral, shell or penne pasta, uncooked
1/4 c olive oil
2 c mozzarella cheese (divided)
1 1/2c Parmesan cheese (divided)
24 oz Jar Pasta Sauce
10oz can Condensed Tomato Soup
10 oz water
8oz pkg. Cream Cheese
8oz fresh mushrooms, washed and sliced

Preheat oven to 450.

Heat Cream cheese in microwave approx. 90 seconds, or until mixes smooth.

Pour olive oil in bottom of 9X13" casserole dish.

Mix in Pasta Sauce, cream cheese, tomato soup, and water until well mixed.

Mix in 3/4c cup parmesan cheese and 1c mozzarella cheese.

Add pasta and mushrooms. Mix well.

Top with remaining cheese.

Cover tightly with foil.

Bake @ 450 degrees for approx. 35-40 minutes, or until pasta is tender.

Remove foil, Broil uncovered for approx. 5 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Let cool 5 minutes.

Serve with caesar salad or garden salad and french bread.

Enjoy!

***If you want more protein in your dish, add cooked cubed chicken breast. You could also substitute it for the mushrooms if you'r not too keen about fungi ;)

Fix Our Eyes On Jesus

2011-07-07T16:21:00.000-05:00

I read a good quick post about Heroines of the Faith by Bobbi @ Blogging Along. I went on to read Hebrews 12, and thought it may be some good soul food for you today too!

Hebrews 12

¹ 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, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,   “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
   and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, ⁶ because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
   and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”^[a]
⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
¹² Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ¹³ “Make level paths for your feet,”^[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Warning and Encouragement

¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ¹⁶ See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. ¹⁷Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; ¹⁹to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, ²⁰ because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^[c] ²¹ The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[d] ²² But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? ²⁶ At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^[e] ²⁷ The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”^[f]