by Michelle Gill www.rebornjoy.com
I was a sixteen year old girl when I asked God what He wanted for my
life. I was certain that He told me that He wanted me to be a wife and
also a mother. I wrote poems, said prayers, collected recipes, read
books, ...waiting for that man. I graduated high
school with no other plans than family. I went to work at my first
coffee shop and waited. And waited. And waited. I went back to
college and graduated at twenty-five and waited. And waited. I moved
eighteen times in twelve years thinking surely my
life would begin somewhere new. I tried singles groups, internet
dating, this pursuit and that.
I met Russell when I was almost thirty-three. I married at thirty-four.
Finally. We had our daughter one year later. Four years later he
died.
Two years later people began to ask me what I was going to do about
being single again. People told me not to wait around that I was
getting too old. People told me that I needed to do something. People
told me that my daughter needed a father.
I chose to practice what I learned the first time in waiting. I
definitely was not perfect in my waiting the first go round, so some of
this was learned in trial and error. Some of the things that I knew
were true, I had to just hold on to in faith because
I had not seen it walked out in front of me. Sometimes when you don't
know anyone living by faith or living a life of purity then it is hard
to be confident in that lifestyle when you are walking it out alone.
That is one of the reasons that I write this
article. There are some things that you need to know are true and hold
to regardless of what well-meaning people say and regardless of your
circumstances so you can - walk it out!
1. God will show you your future. Just ask Him. He will speak to you and direct your paths.
2. Everyone has to wait on something. Waiting is part of life. Life is not fair. Accept it.
3. You don't need to "find" your husband. God will bring him. Many
people told me that I needed to do this or that and the first time I
tried it all. In the end both my husbands came to me out of absolutely
no effort of my own.
4. A husband won't make you happy. Be happy now. It is a choice. Happiness is a daily choice whether you are married or not.
5. Choose wisely because marriage is hard.
6. Live well single and you will live well married.
7. Cook for your health now instead of waiting for that family life. I
hear people say all the time that they can't cook for one. I did. I
practiced and I shared. If you don't cook now, you will have a hard time
changing your habits then.
8. Learn to die to yourself now and be filled with the Holy Spirit. He is your greatest asset in marriage.
9. Have fun now. Enjoy your life. A happy person is much more attractive anyway.
10. Learn to take care of your inner self as well as outer self because being healthy is a lot more fun.
11. Learn to pray well.
12. Be thankful. If you desire being married, thank God for the
specific things that you desire in a husband before they come to be.
Thank Him in advance.
13. Stay pure in every way including your thought life. Guard your thinking!
14. If you date at all, be careful with dating. Yes, I said if you date
at all. Dating can increase your taste for change and dissatisfaction.
Experiencing relationships with different men can cause you to
unconsciously compare and give you a taste for things
that aren't in your husbands personality. As with me, it can get you
used to moving on instead of investing. Plus you need to ask yourself,
if you truly believe God will bring your husband into your life. I
chose not to date the second time around and He
guided me the whole way.
15. Give. Invest in others. It is hard not to become self-focused unintentionally when you live alone.
16. Keep a watch on your relationship with God. Disappointment can sneak in like a worm and eat away before you know it.
17. Laugh. Laugh a lot.
18. Walk it out. Sometimes we have to practice our trust in God before
it is deepened to our reality. Walk out your trust and watch Him follow
through.
Inspirational Home and Family Blog
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Precious Gems
Compiled by Lois Breneman
Thanks to all who contribute to Precious Gems! Anyone is welcome to send kids' quotes to me at jhbreneman@juno.com to be considered for this segment.
Thanks to all who contribute to Precious Gems! Anyone is welcome to send kids' quotes to me at jhbreneman@juno.com to be considered for this segment.
I
woke up the kids and answered all the who's, why's, and what's of
getting up "early" (we've gotten spoiled sleeping in). I headed back to
my room to finish getting ready
and Malakai (7) comes running after me: "You forgot something, Mommy!"
I stopped and turned around to a kid with his lips puckered up: "You forgot your good morning kiss!" ~ Danielle in Alabama
I stopped and turned around to a kid with his lips puckered up: "You forgot your good morning kiss!" ~ Danielle in Alabama
Mia (7) talking to Carter (5) about wishing on a dandelion. "Wishing on those flowers doesn't work. I have been wishing for a horse and a baby and I haven't gotten either!!" ~ Elizabeth in Virginia
Malakai (7) singing: "Ohhh, tidings are covered in joy, covered in JOY! Ohhh, tidings are covered in joy!" ~ Danielle in Alabama
Me: "Amiya, if you turn your knife over it will be easier to cut your food." Amiya (7): "You're brilliant, Mommy! I sure am glad you were born." (pats me on the shoulder) ~ Danielle in Alabama
Logan (7) told his teacher that he has fleas. (Translation: dry skin) ~ Amanda in Virginia
20 Fun, Indoor Activities for Bored Kids
Used with Permission by Amanda Formaro
http://www.familycorner.com/leisure-time/20-fun-indoor-activities-for-bored-kids.html
When it's raining, snowing, or just plain too cold to play outside, your household can fall victim to the "I'm Bored Blues." With a little creativity and imagination, you can turn the tables and find fun things to do without running to the store or turning on the television. Keep this list of ideas handy, or write each idea on a slip of paper and put them in a hat. The next time the kids are bored, let them draw a slip of paper from a hat to decide which activity to do first!
1) Plate of Bubbles - All you need for this fun activity is a small plate, a plastic drinking straw, dish washing liquid and tap water. Place two drops (that's all you need!) of dish washing liquid in the center of a plate. Carefully run tap water onto plate, pointing water over the dish soap to create some foam or bubbles. Carefully place the plate on a flat, sturdy surface, such as the kitchen table, and have your child point his straw into the water. To create bubbles, blow gently and slowly into the sudsy water. Not too fast, it won't work! Slow and steady will create huge bubbles!
2) Animal Jumble - This works best with 3 or more children, but can certainly be adapted for 2 kids. Assign each child a "secret" animal part, the child choosing the animal. Have them draw their part on white or construction paper. The idea is that each child does not know what the others are drawing. For example, have Bobby draw the head (maybe he chose a dog), Cindy draws the legs (she chose an elephant), and so on. When they are all finished drawing, have them cut out their parts and tape the animal together. Have fun choosing a name for their animal. You may be the first to discover the "Dog-aphant-monk-iraffe!"
3) Cartoon Strip - Many parents will remember this from their own childhood! You will need a pad of paper and something to draw with. At the bottom of the pad, starting from the left, draw a stick figure, a box car, cartoon dog, anything you want to put into motion. On the next page, draw the figure again with a slightly different pose and a positioned a little bit to the right of the page before. Repeat this process on each page until you reach the right side of the pad. Now fan the pages with your thumb to watch your character move across the page!
4) Coffee Can Stilts - Turn 2 coffee cans upside down so that the plastic lids are on the bottom. Poke a hole on each both sides of each can using a screwdriver (parental supervision is recommended). Use rope, bailing twine, or several strands of yarn braided together for strength and thread through one hole. Thread the other end of the rope through the hole on the other side and tie off inside the can. Be sure that the rope is long enough so that when your child stands on the cans, the rope is high enough for them to hold in their hands comfortably without hunching over.
5) Cookie Cutter Glitters - Pull out the construction paper, glue, glitter, stickers and cookie cutters. Kids can trace around the cookie cutter shapes, spread glue over the shape and decorate with glitter and stickers. This can be a messy craft, so be prepared with a disposable table cloth and garbage can for scraps. Using a vacuum with a hose attachment is a much easier method of cleaning up glitter than a broom.
6) Feely Box - Use any box that closes or has a lid, a shoebox is ideal. Cut a hole in the side of the box large enough for a child's hand to fit inside. Place an object inside the box and see if they can guess what it is. If they can't guess right away, let them ask questions or provide them with clues until they figure it out.
7) Hide the Object - Using any ordinary object (stuffed animal, vitamin bottle, drinking cup, etc), play this fun hide and seek game with your children. Simply have your child hide their eyes, then place the object somewhere in plain view (on the fireplace mantel, on top of the TV, near the front door, etc) and then have them look for it. Another idea is to use objects relating to a particular theme each day. For example, if your Kindergartner is focusing on the letter "A" that week, use objects that begin with "A" (apple, alligator [stuffed of course!], etc) You can adjust this game for older kids by hiding the object a little deeper. You might place the vitamin bottle halfway behind the picture of Grandma, or maybe tucked halfway down the side of the couch.
8) Writing Box - If your house has kids, you need one of these. You can find shoe box sized plastic containers with lids from your local dollar store. Stock the box with crayons, markers, colored pencils, small plain paper pads, stickers, stencils, a pencil sharpener and an eraser. This box should be kept stocked so that when needed, everything will be at your fingertips. Explain to children that this is a "special" writing box and that everything that comes out, must go back in for the next time they want to get creative.
9) Picnic Indoors - Pack a basket with paper plates, utensils and cups. Make sandwiches, pack fresh fruit, pretzels, a thermos of juice, and yogurt for dessert. Spread a blanket on the living room floor and serve a picnic lunch indoors! Add to the fun by dressing in summer clothes or beach attire. Be sure to wear your sunglasses and your sunscreen!
10) Paper Bag Puppets - The easiest form of this requires only a paper lunch bag and crayons or markers. Simply draw on a face and you have a puppet! To make the characters more elaborate, decorate with yarn for hair, buttons for eyes, and glitter for cheeks. Ribbon can be added to the hair or made into a bow tie for the "neck." Draw on eyelashes and lips with colorful markers.
11) Collages - Save old magazines and catalogs and store them in a cabinet just for this purpose. Have the kids cut out pictures and paste them onto a piece of cardboard or construction paper. You can let them cut out whatever they want, or assign each child a letter of the alphabet or a theme to go by for a more challenging project. Keep a trash can close by for the scraps and be sure to keep a stock of glue sticks on hand!
12) Coloring Pasta - Place a handful of dry, uncooked pasta, such as ziti, rotini or farfelle, into a plastic zipper baggie. Add a tablespoon of white vinegar and 2-3 drops of food coloring. Close the baggie and have the kids shake the bag until the pasta is completely colored. Spread out onto a paper plate or paper towel and allow to dry. Use several baggies to create different colors. Once the pasta is dry, kids can use yarn to string together pieces to make necklaces and bracelets, or glue them to paper plates or construction paper to create a work of art.
13) Shadowboxes - Paint the inside of a shoe box with black or dark blue poster or acrylic paint. If you don't have any paint handy, you can glue black construction paper inside the box. Using white crayons or stickers, create a nighttime scene with stars and the moon on the black background. You can use small plastic toys to create a scene inside your shadowbox, or make your own with construction paper and glue. Cut out small pictures from coloring books and color and adhere to your scene. Hang a spaceship or shooting star with a piece of string and glue.
14) Indoor Hopscotch - If you have a cement basement floor, use chalk to draw out a hopscotch board. When you are finished playing, the chalk will wash off with a mop and warm water.
15) Family Memory Game - Play a family memory game with your kids by asking questions like "What is Grandpa's first name?" and "Who is married to Aunt Tammy?" Look through old photo albums and see if kids can guess who is who in each picture.
16) Hot Beanie - This variation of the old favorite "Hot Potato" uses a beanie type toy. Have everyone sit in a circle and toss the beanie from one person to another, never knowing where it's going to end up.
17) Name That Tune - Hum tunes from popular songs and see who can guess it first. Whoever guesses correctly becomes the next "hummer."
18) Create a Story - You can do this out loud or have kids write their entries on paper. Someone starts the story with "Once upon a time there lived a...", that person chooses the character and setting (princess in a far away land). The next child tells the next part of the story, and so on around the room, the story changing with each new addition.
19) Never Ending Adjectives - Ask your child to point out an object, then takes turns coming up with adjectives for that object. For example, you may say "a ball," your child would say "a big ball." The game might continue with "a big round ball," "a big round bouncing ball," "a big round bouncing white ball," and end with "a big round bouncing white beach ball."
20) Sardines (Reverse Hide-n-Seek) - One child is the hider, everyone else is a seeker. The hider hides while the seekers seek. However, when a seeker finds the hider, instead of pointing him out, he joins him in the hiding place. Soon, the children will all be stuffed in one place, like a box of sardines! The first child to find the hider gets to hide next.
When it's raining, snowing, or just plain too cold to play outside, your household can fall victim to the "I'm Bored Blues." With a little creativity and imagination, you can turn the tables and find fun things to do without running to the store or turning on the television. Keep this list of ideas handy, or write each idea on a slip of paper and put them in a hat. The next time the kids are bored, let them draw a slip of paper from a hat to decide which activity to do first!
1) Plate of Bubbles - All you need for this fun activity is a small plate, a plastic drinking straw, dish washing liquid and tap water. Place two drops (that's all you need!) of dish washing liquid in the center of a plate. Carefully run tap water onto plate, pointing water over the dish soap to create some foam or bubbles. Carefully place the plate on a flat, sturdy surface, such as the kitchen table, and have your child point his straw into the water. To create bubbles, blow gently and slowly into the sudsy water. Not too fast, it won't work! Slow and steady will create huge bubbles!
2) Animal Jumble - This works best with 3 or more children, but can certainly be adapted for 2 kids. Assign each child a "secret" animal part, the child choosing the animal. Have them draw their part on white or construction paper. The idea is that each child does not know what the others are drawing. For example, have Bobby draw the head (maybe he chose a dog), Cindy draws the legs (she chose an elephant), and so on. When they are all finished drawing, have them cut out their parts and tape the animal together. Have fun choosing a name for their animal. You may be the first to discover the "Dog-aphant-monk-iraffe!"
3) Cartoon Strip - Many parents will remember this from their own childhood! You will need a pad of paper and something to draw with. At the bottom of the pad, starting from the left, draw a stick figure, a box car, cartoon dog, anything you want to put into motion. On the next page, draw the figure again with a slightly different pose and a positioned a little bit to the right of the page before. Repeat this process on each page until you reach the right side of the pad. Now fan the pages with your thumb to watch your character move across the page!
4) Coffee Can Stilts - Turn 2 coffee cans upside down so that the plastic lids are on the bottom. Poke a hole on each both sides of each can using a screwdriver (parental supervision is recommended). Use rope, bailing twine, or several strands of yarn braided together for strength and thread through one hole. Thread the other end of the rope through the hole on the other side and tie off inside the can. Be sure that the rope is long enough so that when your child stands on the cans, the rope is high enough for them to hold in their hands comfortably without hunching over.
5) Cookie Cutter Glitters - Pull out the construction paper, glue, glitter, stickers and cookie cutters. Kids can trace around the cookie cutter shapes, spread glue over the shape and decorate with glitter and stickers. This can be a messy craft, so be prepared with a disposable table cloth and garbage can for scraps. Using a vacuum with a hose attachment is a much easier method of cleaning up glitter than a broom.
6) Feely Box - Use any box that closes or has a lid, a shoebox is ideal. Cut a hole in the side of the box large enough for a child's hand to fit inside. Place an object inside the box and see if they can guess what it is. If they can't guess right away, let them ask questions or provide them with clues until they figure it out.
7) Hide the Object - Using any ordinary object (stuffed animal, vitamin bottle, drinking cup, etc), play this fun hide and seek game with your children. Simply have your child hide their eyes, then place the object somewhere in plain view (on the fireplace mantel, on top of the TV, near the front door, etc) and then have them look for it. Another idea is to use objects relating to a particular theme each day. For example, if your Kindergartner is focusing on the letter "A" that week, use objects that begin with "A" (apple, alligator [stuffed of course!], etc) You can adjust this game for older kids by hiding the object a little deeper. You might place the vitamin bottle halfway behind the picture of Grandma, or maybe tucked halfway down the side of the couch.
8) Writing Box - If your house has kids, you need one of these. You can find shoe box sized plastic containers with lids from your local dollar store. Stock the box with crayons, markers, colored pencils, small plain paper pads, stickers, stencils, a pencil sharpener and an eraser. This box should be kept stocked so that when needed, everything will be at your fingertips. Explain to children that this is a "special" writing box and that everything that comes out, must go back in for the next time they want to get creative.
9) Picnic Indoors - Pack a basket with paper plates, utensils and cups. Make sandwiches, pack fresh fruit, pretzels, a thermos of juice, and yogurt for dessert. Spread a blanket on the living room floor and serve a picnic lunch indoors! Add to the fun by dressing in summer clothes or beach attire. Be sure to wear your sunglasses and your sunscreen!
10) Paper Bag Puppets - The easiest form of this requires only a paper lunch bag and crayons or markers. Simply draw on a face and you have a puppet! To make the characters more elaborate, decorate with yarn for hair, buttons for eyes, and glitter for cheeks. Ribbon can be added to the hair or made into a bow tie for the "neck." Draw on eyelashes and lips with colorful markers.
11) Collages - Save old magazines and catalogs and store them in a cabinet just for this purpose. Have the kids cut out pictures and paste them onto a piece of cardboard or construction paper. You can let them cut out whatever they want, or assign each child a letter of the alphabet or a theme to go by for a more challenging project. Keep a trash can close by for the scraps and be sure to keep a stock of glue sticks on hand!
12) Coloring Pasta - Place a handful of dry, uncooked pasta, such as ziti, rotini or farfelle, into a plastic zipper baggie. Add a tablespoon of white vinegar and 2-3 drops of food coloring. Close the baggie and have the kids shake the bag until the pasta is completely colored. Spread out onto a paper plate or paper towel and allow to dry. Use several baggies to create different colors. Once the pasta is dry, kids can use yarn to string together pieces to make necklaces and bracelets, or glue them to paper plates or construction paper to create a work of art.
13) Shadowboxes - Paint the inside of a shoe box with black or dark blue poster or acrylic paint. If you don't have any paint handy, you can glue black construction paper inside the box. Using white crayons or stickers, create a nighttime scene with stars and the moon on the black background. You can use small plastic toys to create a scene inside your shadowbox, or make your own with construction paper and glue. Cut out small pictures from coloring books and color and adhere to your scene. Hang a spaceship or shooting star with a piece of string and glue.
14) Indoor Hopscotch - If you have a cement basement floor, use chalk to draw out a hopscotch board. When you are finished playing, the chalk will wash off with a mop and warm water.
15) Family Memory Game - Play a family memory game with your kids by asking questions like "What is Grandpa's first name?" and "Who is married to Aunt Tammy?" Look through old photo albums and see if kids can guess who is who in each picture.
16) Hot Beanie - This variation of the old favorite "Hot Potato" uses a beanie type toy. Have everyone sit in a circle and toss the beanie from one person to another, never knowing where it's going to end up.
17) Name That Tune - Hum tunes from popular songs and see who can guess it first. Whoever guesses correctly becomes the next "hummer."
18) Create a Story - You can do this out loud or have kids write their entries on paper. Someone starts the story with "Once upon a time there lived a...", that person chooses the character and setting (princess in a far away land). The next child tells the next part of the story, and so on around the room, the story changing with each new addition.
19) Never Ending Adjectives - Ask your child to point out an object, then takes turns coming up with adjectives for that object. For example, you may say "a ball," your child would say "a big ball." The game might continue with "a big round ball," "a big round bouncing ball," "a big round bouncing white ball," and end with "a big round bouncing white beach ball."
20) Sardines (Reverse Hide-n-Seek) - One child is the hider, everyone else is a seeker. The hider hides while the seekers seek. However, when a seeker finds the hider, instead of pointing him out, he joins him in the hiding place. Soon, the children will all be stuffed in one place, like a box of sardines! The first child to find the hider gets to hide next.
9 Huge Benefits of Drinking More Water
So many of us know that we should be
drinking more water, but do we? Perhaps if we have a better
understanding of why we need to drink more water, we may be more
inclined to be more diligent with our consumption. It is estimated
that the average adult only drinks 32 oz (1 L) of water per day which
is half of the standard recommendation for adequate hydration. Many
health ailments can occur with only mild dehydration of 1%.
Often during a dietary change and/or a
Reboot, as a nutritionist I am constantly reminding people to drink the
recommended amount of water to ensure they experience all the health
benefits of the plan. Without drinking the suggested
amount of water, you are more likely to feel a whole host of symptoms
that won't encourage you to keep going.
So here I wanted to list the major benefits you'll experience once you start getting your hydration levels up!
1. Weight Loss
This is due to the fact that water can increase satiety and boost your metabolic
rate for up to 60 minutes following the consumption of 16 oz (500
ml) of water. This may be equivalent to 100 extra calories per day that
can be burnt just by making sure you're drinking enough water.
Drinking water 30 minutes before meals is
the most effective. It will support satiety so that you eat fewer
calories. In another study, people who drank 16 oz. (500 ml) of water
before meals lost 44%
more weight, over a period of 12 weeks.
2. Stops Headaches In Its Tracks
Our brain is also largely water and as you
can imagine, dehydrate that brain and you will experience pain,
discomfort and poor cognition to boot. In a
study it was shown that dehydration degraded mood, increased
perception of task difficulty, lowered concentration, and headaches
resulted from 1.36% dehydration in females.
For any headaches, before you do anything
else hit that glass of water or 2.............*
3. Mood And Motivation
Even a slight drop of 1-2% in hydration has
been found to cause poor mood and lack of motivation. I'm sure you
have all been there. Even a slight decrease in cellular hydration and
things will start to dip.
4. Feeling Light-Headed And Dizzy
This can be caused from a number of things
including irregular blood sugar levels, blood pressure changes, fatigue,
inner ear disturbances and Meniere's disease, but dehydration
can also cause dizziness.
5. Exercise Performance
Muscle mass contains about 70-75% water so
when this level of cellular hydration reduces even by 2-3% there are
symptoms that can become quite uncomfortable such as fatigue, aches and
pains, muscular spasms and cramps and reduced
muscle performance. Where there is lack of water, exercise becomes more
difficult as the body temperature control is effected along with
fatigue. Keep those water levels up to improve your motivation and
physical energy for increased exercise performance.
6. Energy
As they say, by the time you feel thirsty mild dehydration of about 1-2% has already occurred along with symptoms. In
one study it was demonstrated that women suffered dehydration
symptoms faster, and with mild dehydrations came fatigue with lowered
energy.
7. Constipation
Constipation can occur due to lack of
water. As the stool needs lubrication through the bowel, water has a
very important role to play. When there is a short supply of water, the
bowel may be the last organ to get enough so if you're
feeling sluggish then drink a few extra servings of water and get
moving! Remember the more fiber you consume the more fluid you need.
8. Dry Skin And Complexion
Keeping well hydrated is the best
anti-aging remedy around, if the skin is well hydrated the face appears
less wrinkled, so drink up!
9. Kidney Stones
With increased dilution of excretory
metabolites and minerals through the kidneys this could reduce the
occurrence of experiencing kidney stones and keeping those kidneys nice
and healthy.
* Part of this paragraph had to be deleted because of FDA regulations regarding essential oils on my blog, since I am a Wellness Advocate for a essential oil company. ~ Lois
* Part of this paragraph had to be deleted because of FDA regulations regarding essential oils on my blog, since I am a Wellness Advocate for a essential oil company. ~ Lois
DIY Ideas: What to Do with Legos?
Fixer Upper's kids' Lego wall:
https://magnoliamarket.com/the-barndominium/
Lindee Katdare's Lego storage bench:
http://thelindeetree.com/diy-lego-storage-bench-for-under-100/
Lindee Katdare's Lego storage bench:
http://thelindeetree.com/diy-lego-storage-bench-for-under-100/
Warehouse Club Do's, Don'ts
By Jean Chatzky · Bankrate.com
Used by permission
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Used by permission
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
On a recent visit to my local warehouse club, I stumbled upon a rack of discount movie tickets --10 for $85, a $4-per-show discount off the $12.50 my local theater charges for an adult ticket. I’d never considered buying movie tickets on a grocery run before, but as a frequent theatergoer, the price was too good to pass up.
As it turns out, warehouse clubs are a source of some surprising finds, says Benjamin Glaser, the features editor at DealNews.
Below, 5 of the best deals, along with another 5 that really aren’t deals at all.
What to buy
Gift cards. The aforementioned movie tickets make a great gift, but if you’re in the market for a more standard gift card, you’re likely to find that, too, says Glaser. He’s frequently seen cards for smaller restaurant chains -- think Peet’s Coffee & Tea -- for up to 60% off and $100 iTunes cards for $80.
Medication. Glaser has seen 1,000 tablets of ibuprofen at Costco sell for $10, with similar products priced closer to $16 at other pharmacies. Raechel Conover, a staff writer at Cheapism.com, agrees. "At any membership level, medication prices were 2% to 40% lower -- when no insurance was used -- at Costco. In a 2013 survey by Consumer Reports, Costco was the cheapest pharmacy out of 200."
Organic food. In particular, pantry staples like pasta, sugar, olive oil, bread and honey can be found on the cheap, says Conover, who notes that Costco outperforms other bulk stores in this category.
Name-brand clothing. "We see good deals here, on brands like Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole and Levi’s," says Glaser.
Glasses. You can find prescription eyeglasses at a pretty significant discount, though these days it’s worth it to price-check online competitors like Coastal.com and Zenni Optical, as well.
What to skip
Seasonings. Salt can generally stand the test of time, but other dried herbs get stale and lose their punch before most cooks can use a bulk supply.
Electronics. "We see too many good electronics deals at other retailers, so it’s tough for anyone to top those," says Glaser. Electronics get refreshed so frequently that it’s fairly easy to find an older, but still fine, model on discount. The exception: TVs are sometimes well-priced at warehouse clubs, so it pays to compare deals.
Fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s not that the deals aren’t good; it’s that it can be difficult to use a bulk count of these items before they go bad, and most don’t freeze well. Unless you’re having a party or you know you’ll eat that 20-pack of bananas quickly, it’s best to skip it.
Books. The deals generally aren’t any better than those you’d find on Amazon, so if you can wait for the shipping, you’re better off doing so.
Anything you can’t store. You may get 100 rolls of toilet paper at a steal, but if you have to keep them in the middle of your living room, you should weigh the quality of life issue against the money saved.
Friday, January 22, 2016
A Screwtape Letter For the Unappreciated Mom
by Kelsey Shade - OrganizingLifeWithLittles.com
Used by permission
My Dear Wormwood,
I was thrilled to hear you have been making progress with the mother. You have a good lead, from what I hear. She feels over-worked, unappreciated, and discouraged? I’m so glad to hear it. If you tread carefully, this can be a great opportunity. With the kids waking her up every hour last night, we already have an advantage. A tired Mom makes for a more emotional Mom, and an emotional Mom is a vulnerable one.
I do have a few tips. First, aim your best efforts at her marriage.
As you know, we cannot do much with a unified marriage. Luckily for us, a cranky and exhausted wife can do wonders to change that. We must convince her that her husband is no longer the friend and ally she first married. Instead, we must reveal every sin and selfish habit, especially drawing attention to his thoughtless actions (mal-intended or not) against her.
Sometimes it’s the less obvious things, things the husband doesn’t even realize, that we can use to offend her the most. When he comes home from work and dumps his things on the counter nearest the door (instead of hanging his coat or putting away his keys), let her think of it as a direct assault on her work as a homekeeper. When he treks mud in with his shoes, let her think it is because he does not love her. Such extremes of thought may seem ridiculous to you or I, but to the exhausted mortal woman, it can seem possible. Your goal is to make her think the husband does not notice, or even better, that he does not care about her efforts at home.
Secondly, do what you can to keep her focused on her troubles and pains. Remind her how much her back aches, how draining the children were all day, and how many undone tasks still beckon her. Do not let her wonder what difficulties her husband faced that day or whether his back might also be aching. Valuing others above oneself is one of those silly, though strangely effective, tactics of the Enemy. If she stops to make him a cup of coffee, the next thing you know she’ll be rubbing his shoulders and flirting with him on the couch. It can progress out of your control if you’re not careful.
Along those lines, be sure the Mother starts to value productivity above everything else. Have her wake up early and work non-stop until bedtime. If the husband relaxes in the evening with an hour of computer gaming, be sure the wife notices the pile of unfolded laundry or unswept floors. Do not let her grab a book and relax alongside her husband. Diligence, often one of the Enemy’s virtues, when overdone can be used to our advantage as well. Convince her that as long as there is a shred of work to be done (and there always is), no one should be resting. Then, as she folds and sweeps and he sits, you can introduce the sweet bitterness of resentment.
A word of caution here. Remember, the love of a husband can be dangerous to our cause. If he senses her unhappiness, he may begin to help or (even worse) show her affection. This is where previously planted seeds of resentment can be guided into full bloom. Make her think that his displays of affection are because he “only wants one thing.” Do not let her view his help with the dishes (or kisses or cuddling) as having pure motives. If he shows his desire for her, convince her that she is being used, not loved. As we both know, the ultimate Act of Marriage can bond them together in a way that can undo much hard work on our part. Because of this, do not allow her to prioritize that Act on her mental to-do-list. It is in our best interest to keep the wife busy, busy, busy and be sure she’s far too exhausted to consider it by the end of the evening.
Now, onto the children. Lovely little opportunities for us, the children, especially the little ones. We all know that children are a favorite tool of the Enemy. He calls them Blessings and Gifts and calls parents to lay down their lives for them, just as his Son did. Insane, I know. We must convince her that the obnoxious little people she has charge of are not really worth her sacrifice. When the Mother first dreamed of having children, she probably imagined large, innocent eyes and chubby, happy grins taking up the majority of her days. Do your best to shatter those expectations.
Instead, draw attention to how much they take from her. Let them take and take and take… And need and need and need, until the Mother feels totally spent. Let them start crying at the same time for the most irrational of reasons. Let the noise bother her. Let their bad behavior surprise her. Do your best to make the day-to-day monotony of diaper changes, meals, and baths seem simultaneously overwhelming and beneath her. Let her think of all the better, more important things she could be doing with her life, if only she didn’t have the children.
Don’t let her think about the future responsible, faithful adults she is raising. Society changers, friends, workers, husbands or wives… Don’t let her think of them as life-long companions who will love her, converse with her, and care for her in her old age. Oh, and definitely don’t let her think about the grandchildren she might be able to see in their little grubby faces if she looked hard enough now. No, no, no… Thinking ahead to when her work bears fruit, as the Enemy calls it, is always a bad idea. Keep words like ‘heritage’ or ‘legacy’ far away from the runny noses and jelly stains of the day to day.
If there is any last piece of advice I have for you, Wormwood, it is to keep the Mother looking to her husband or family for her fulfillment and comfort. We know that the Enemy is always watching and willing to take the burdens of his children, but if we divert the Mother’s attention well enough, this fact can be forgotten. Make her look to her husband for worth and affirmation. Then, when he lets her down (as he is sure to do), she will be ours to torment. Yes, the worst thing that could happen would be for her to turn to Him with her needs and inadequacies. Once she realizes that the Enemy offers a peace that transcends her situation, our work could be utterly compromised.
Your Malevolent Uncle,
Screwtape
Kelsey is a Christian momma of three boys (ages 1, 3, and 5) who blogs on home organizing and mom encouragement at OrganizingLifeWithLittles.com.
Used by permission
My Dear Wormwood,
I was thrilled to hear you have been making progress with the mother. You have a good lead, from what I hear. She feels over-worked, unappreciated, and discouraged? I’m so glad to hear it. If you tread carefully, this can be a great opportunity. With the kids waking her up every hour last night, we already have an advantage. A tired Mom makes for a more emotional Mom, and an emotional Mom is a vulnerable one.
I do have a few tips. First, aim your best efforts at her marriage.
As you know, we cannot do much with a unified marriage. Luckily for us, a cranky and exhausted wife can do wonders to change that. We must convince her that her husband is no longer the friend and ally she first married. Instead, we must reveal every sin and selfish habit, especially drawing attention to his thoughtless actions (mal-intended or not) against her.
Sometimes it’s the less obvious things, things the husband doesn’t even realize, that we can use to offend her the most. When he comes home from work and dumps his things on the counter nearest the door (instead of hanging his coat or putting away his keys), let her think of it as a direct assault on her work as a homekeeper. When he treks mud in with his shoes, let her think it is because he does not love her. Such extremes of thought may seem ridiculous to you or I, but to the exhausted mortal woman, it can seem possible. Your goal is to make her think the husband does not notice, or even better, that he does not care about her efforts at home.
Secondly, do what you can to keep her focused on her troubles and pains. Remind her how much her back aches, how draining the children were all day, and how many undone tasks still beckon her. Do not let her wonder what difficulties her husband faced that day or whether his back might also be aching. Valuing others above oneself is one of those silly, though strangely effective, tactics of the Enemy. If she stops to make him a cup of coffee, the next thing you know she’ll be rubbing his shoulders and flirting with him on the couch. It can progress out of your control if you’re not careful.
Along those lines, be sure the Mother starts to value productivity above everything else. Have her wake up early and work non-stop until bedtime. If the husband relaxes in the evening with an hour of computer gaming, be sure the wife notices the pile of unfolded laundry or unswept floors. Do not let her grab a book and relax alongside her husband. Diligence, often one of the Enemy’s virtues, when overdone can be used to our advantage as well. Convince her that as long as there is a shred of work to be done (and there always is), no one should be resting. Then, as she folds and sweeps and he sits, you can introduce the sweet bitterness of resentment.
A word of caution here. Remember, the love of a husband can be dangerous to our cause. If he senses her unhappiness, he may begin to help or (even worse) show her affection. This is where previously planted seeds of resentment can be guided into full bloom. Make her think that his displays of affection are because he “only wants one thing.” Do not let her view his help with the dishes (or kisses or cuddling) as having pure motives. If he shows his desire for her, convince her that she is being used, not loved. As we both know, the ultimate Act of Marriage can bond them together in a way that can undo much hard work on our part. Because of this, do not allow her to prioritize that Act on her mental to-do-list. It is in our best interest to keep the wife busy, busy, busy and be sure she’s far too exhausted to consider it by the end of the evening.
Now, onto the children. Lovely little opportunities for us, the children, especially the little ones. We all know that children are a favorite tool of the Enemy. He calls them Blessings and Gifts and calls parents to lay down their lives for them, just as his Son did. Insane, I know. We must convince her that the obnoxious little people she has charge of are not really worth her sacrifice. When the Mother first dreamed of having children, she probably imagined large, innocent eyes and chubby, happy grins taking up the majority of her days. Do your best to shatter those expectations.
Instead, draw attention to how much they take from her. Let them take and take and take… And need and need and need, until the Mother feels totally spent. Let them start crying at the same time for the most irrational of reasons. Let the noise bother her. Let their bad behavior surprise her. Do your best to make the day-to-day monotony of diaper changes, meals, and baths seem simultaneously overwhelming and beneath her. Let her think of all the better, more important things she could be doing with her life, if only she didn’t have the children.
Don’t let her think about the future responsible, faithful adults she is raising. Society changers, friends, workers, husbands or wives… Don’t let her think of them as life-long companions who will love her, converse with her, and care for her in her old age. Oh, and definitely don’t let her think about the grandchildren she might be able to see in their little grubby faces if she looked hard enough now. No, no, no… Thinking ahead to when her work bears fruit, as the Enemy calls it, is always a bad idea. Keep words like ‘heritage’ or ‘legacy’ far away from the runny noses and jelly stains of the day to day.
If there is any last piece of advice I have for you, Wormwood, it is to keep the Mother looking to her husband or family for her fulfillment and comfort. We know that the Enemy is always watching and willing to take the burdens of his children, but if we divert the Mother’s attention well enough, this fact can be forgotten. Make her look to her husband for worth and affirmation. Then, when he lets her down (as he is sure to do), she will be ours to torment. Yes, the worst thing that could happen would be for her to turn to Him with her needs and inadequacies. Once she realizes that the Enemy offers a peace that transcends her situation, our work could be utterly compromised.
Your Malevolent Uncle,
Screwtape
Kelsey is a Christian momma of three boys (ages 1, 3, and 5) who blogs on home organizing and mom encouragement at OrganizingLifeWithLittles.com.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
God Has This
Make no mistake about it, "He's got the whole world in His hands."
From the greatest to the least, nothing is beyond the scope of His sovereign power and providential care. He makes the rain fall, the sun shine, the stars twinkle--in this and all other galaxies. He raises up people and kingdoms and He brings down both. He numbers the hairs on our heads and determines the days of our lives. In doing so, He weaves everything together into His design. Ultimately, the tapestry of His handiwork will be something to behold!
--Chuck Swindoll
From the greatest to the least, nothing is beyond the scope of His sovereign power and providential care. He makes the rain fall, the sun shine, the stars twinkle--in this and all other galaxies. He raises up people and kingdoms and He brings down both. He numbers the hairs on our heads and determines the days of our lives. In doing so, He weaves everything together into His design. Ultimately, the tapestry of His handiwork will be something to behold!
--Chuck Swindoll
"Blessed is he who trusts the LORD." Proverbs 16:20
A Boy and His Boots
A
kindergarten teacher was helping one of her students put his boots on.
He had asked for help and she could see why. With her pulling and him
pushing, the boots still didn’t want to go on. When the second boot was on, she was nearly out of breath.
She almost whimpered when the little boy said, “Teacher, they’re on the wrong feet.” She looked and sure enough, they were. It wasn’t any easier pulling
the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool
as they worked together to get the boots back on – this time on the
right feet.
He then announced, “These aren’t my boots.”
She bit her tongue rather than scream, “Why didn’t you say so
earlier?” like she wanted to. Once again she struggled to help him pull
the ill-fitting boots off.
He then said, “They’re my brother’s boots. My Mom made me wear them.”
She didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. She mustered up the
grace to wrestle the boots on his feet again. She said, Now, where are
your gloves?”
He said, “I stuffed them in the toes of my boots…”
The Quilt Holes
Author unknown - Thanks to Annamarie Kresge in Virginia for sending this!
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes.
Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally, the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again.
I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through until there was more of Me than there was of you."
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Poem and Quotes by Albert Benjamin Simpson
― Albert Benjamin Simpson
https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2833763.Albert_Benjamin_Simpson
"Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.
Once 'twas painful trying, Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost.
Once 'twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting, Now my anchor's cast.
Once 'twas busy planning, Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring, Now He has the care.
Once 'twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking, Now 'tis ceaseless praise.
Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.
Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the veil."
Quotes of Albert Benjamin Simpson
https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2833763.Albert_Benjamin_Simpson
"Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.
Once 'twas painful trying, Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost.
Once 'twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting, Now my anchor's cast.
Once 'twas busy planning, Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring, Now He has the care.
Once 'twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking, Now 'tis ceaseless praise.
Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.
Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the veil."
Quotes of Albert Benjamin Simpson
“Some people get easily turned aside from the grandeur of their
life-work by pursuing their own grievances and enemies, until their life
gets turned into one little petty whirl of warfare. It is like a nest
of hornets. You may disperse the hornets, but you will probably get
terribly stung, and get nothing for your pains, for even their honey is
not worth a search.”
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, Days of Heaven Upon Earth
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, Days of Heaven Upon Earth
“I once saw a picture of the Constitution of the United States,
very skillfully engraved in copper plate, so that when you looked at it
closely it was nothing more than a piece of writing, but when you looked
at it at a distance, it was the face of George Washington. The face
shone out in the shading of the letters at a little distance, and I saw
the person, not the words, nor the ideas; and I thought, “‘That is the
way to look at the Scriptures and understand the thoughts of God, to see
in them the face of love, shining through and through; not ideas, nor
doctrines, but Jesus Himself as the Life and Source and sustaining
Presence of all our life.”
― Albert Benjamin Simpson
― Albert Benjamin Simpson
“Peace with God is the effect of forgiveness,”
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, The A.B. Simpson Collection: 32 Classic Works
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, The A.B. Simpson Collection: 32 Classic Works
“We do not always feel joyful, but we are always to count it joy.”
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, Days of Heaven Upon Earth
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, Days of Heaven Upon Earth
“The ruin of the human race came by discrediting and doubting
God’s word to our first parents. “Hath God said?” was the fountain of
all sin. “God hath said” is the foundation, therefore, of our
restoration.”
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, The A.B. Simpson Collection: 32 Classic Works
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, The A.B. Simpson Collection: 32 Classic Works
“The devil’s first trick is to get us to say, “I have not sinned.”
And then his last blow is to make us think, “My sin is too great to be
forgiven.” But humble faith accepts God’s judgment upon itself, and
escapes judgment.”
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, The A.B. Simpson Collection: 32 Classic Works
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, The A.B. Simpson Collection: 32 Classic Works
“One bright and thankful look at the cross is worth a thousand morbid, self-condemning reflections.”
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, Days of Heaven Upon Earth
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, Days of Heaven Upon Earth
“Someone has beautifully analyzed the fruit of the Spirit in Gal.
5: 22, and shown that all the graces there mentioned are but various
forms of love itself. The apostle is not speaking of different fruits,
but of one fruit, the fruit of the Spirit, and the various words that
follow are but phrases and descriptions of the one fruit, which is love
itself. Joy, which is first mentioned, is love on wings; peace, which
follows, is love folding its wings, and nestling under the wings of God;
longsuffering is love enduring; gentleness is love in society; goodness
is love in activity, faith is love confiding; meekness is love
stooping; temperance is true self-love, and the proper regard for our
own real interests, which is as much the duty of love, as regard for the
interests of others.”
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, The A.B. Simpson Collection: 32 Classic Works
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, The A.B. Simpson Collection: 32 Classic Works
“Most persons after a step of faith are looking for sunny skies
and unruffled seas, and when they meet a storm and tempest they are
filled with astonishment and perplexity.”
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, Days of Heaven Upon Earth
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, Days of Heaven Upon Earth
“God’s jewels are often sent us in rough packages and by dark
liveried servants, but within we find the very treasures of the King’s
palace and the Bridegroom’s Love.”
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, Days of Heaven Upon Earth
― Albert Benjamin Simpson, Days of Heaven Upon Earth
“The greatest need of our age and of every age, the greatest need
of every human heart, is to know the resources and sufficiency of God.”
― Albert Benjamin Simpson
― Albert Benjamin Simpson
Friday, January 15, 2016
Taking the Overwhelming Out of Gluten Free
by Elizabeth Tromm - Used by permission
So where do you start on this journey? I have two favorite blog sites that I cooked from for about two months before I started branching out and being able to take an ordinary recipe and turn it into a clean gluten free recipe.
My favorite site, and the one I recommend to a lot of people, is the http://www.cleaneatingcorner.com. This one has two 7-day challenges and a 14-day challenge. She gives you a grocery list and the recipes for three meals each day and 3 snacks each day for every day of the challenge. It is all laid out and packaged with a bow. Well, no bow, but she does make it SUPER simple and anyone can do it!
https://wingingthislife.wordpress.com/2016/01/12/taking-the-overwhelming-out-of-gluten-fre e/
We have always eaten a pretty good diet, growing, canning, and
freezing our food. Cooking from scratch, strictly limiting our sugar
intake, etc. However, last August when I decided we would go gluten
free for a couple of specific health reasons, I was OVERWHELMED! Where
did I start, how does one simply throw all wheat berries, flour, and
gluten out of their kitchen? And what in the world do you use in their
place?
MY biggest hurdle was going to be pasta. I LOVE a big plate of pasta. I think somewhere in my blood there are Italian roots, pasta and crusty bread at every meal! It is my comfort food, it is inexpensive, which makes it ideal for a large group of people, and any type of sauce is general super easy to make. What was I going to do?
MY biggest hurdle was going to be pasta. I LOVE a big plate of pasta. I think somewhere in my blood there are Italian roots, pasta and crusty bread at every meal! It is my comfort food, it is inexpensive, which makes it ideal for a large group of people, and any type of sauce is general super easy to make. What was I going to do?
I stumbled across a blog one day and sent a text to my sister along
with the blog and told her we should do a seven-day clean eating
challenge. Doing things like exercising, eating right, and time
management are easier if you have a partner to hold you accountable. She
agreed, and we started the challenge. I believe it is called a
challenge for a very good reason. If your body is accustomed to
something, in my case gluten, then going off of it is challenging for
your mood, your digestive system, and your culinary skills.
It takes two to three weeks for the gluten cravings to end and your
body to adjust and settle down to the new normal. During this time
period you might consider hurting your spouse. You might be short
tempered with your children. And you might contemplate selling your
children’s cats, your husband’s dog, and all other livestock that occupy
your farm. Instead of feeling like you are on top of the world you
might feel that the world is running over you and you have a mountain to
climb just getting out of bed each morning.
But, once you persevere through those first two weeks you won’t regret it for a single minute. After the initial adjustment period, I had more energy, I never had that bloated sluggish “won’t be able to move again” after a meal kind of feeling. I had far less aches and pains in my joints. I was sleeping better at night and waking up able to bounce out of bed, as much as a night owl bounces in the morning, instead of getting up slowly and stiffly. And, I had better clarity of mind.
But, once you persevere through those first two weeks you won’t regret it for a single minute. After the initial adjustment period, I had more energy, I never had that bloated sluggish “won’t be able to move again” after a meal kind of feeling. I had far less aches and pains in my joints. I was sleeping better at night and waking up able to bounce out of bed, as much as a night owl bounces in the morning, instead of getting up slowly and stiffly. And, I had better clarity of mind.
So where do you start on this journey? I have two favorite blog sites that I cooked from for about two months before I started branching out and being able to take an ordinary recipe and turn it into a clean gluten free recipe.
My favorite site, and the one I recommend to a lot of people, is the http://www.cleaneatingcorner.com. This one has two 7-day challenges and a 14-day challenge. She gives you a grocery list and the recipes for three meals each day and 3 snacks each day for every day of the challenge. It is all laid out and packaged with a bow. Well, no bow, but she does make it SUPER simple and anyone can do it!
Once you have gotten your feet wet, and feel a little more adapt in
your kitchen with these new ingredients in your cupboards you can
peruse her site and find all kinds of recipes for any meal your heart
desires.
The other blog that I love is http://www.ohsheglows.com.
I used a lot of her baking recipes for the holidays. While I do not
want my family to be overrun with sweets, I also didn’t want to be a
total Grinch. Just because you are clean eating doesn’t mean you can’t
still eat things that resemble desserts and sweets. Her pumpkin pie
squares are amazing and Mia asked to have them with fruit salad for her
birthday. The “graham cracker” that is also used for the pumpkin pie
crust, is a favorite in our house as a snack with some homemade almond
butter slathered on top and a glass of fresh milk.
Those are two of my favorite blogs to get ideas for meals, snacks,
and grocery shopping lists. I always like hearing what sites other
people love. So leave a comment (https://wingingthislife.wordpress.com/2016/01/12/taking-the-overwhelming-out-of-gluten-fre e/) letting us know where you like to find
good recipes.
Prayer of Humility
by Charles Belmonte
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Lord Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
From the desire of being extolled,
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being preferred to others,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
From the fear of being humiliated,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
From the fear of being calumniated,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being ridiculed,
From the fear of being wronged,
From the fear of being suspected,
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease,
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
That others may become holier than I,
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Lord Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
From the desire of being extolled,
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being preferred to others,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
From the fear of being humiliated,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
From the fear of being calumniated,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being ridiculed,
From the fear of being wronged,
From the fear of being suspected,
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease,
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
That others may become holier than I,
provided that I may become as holy as I should.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Ministering to Those Who Are Hurting
by Diane Fenlason (Niece of Lois)
Used by permission
Reading in Job, there are a few things that jumped out at me this time through; things that I didn't really latch onto before. For instance, we all know that Job's three "friends" are really accusatory toward Job, and we don't like them. We don't like those kind of people in our own lives!
BUT.....if you pay attention to Job 2:11-13, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar really seemed like they had the best intentions of "being there" for their good friend!
They had to coordinate the trip, since they all lived in different locations. They were approaching Job's home, and when they saw him from a distance, it broke their hearts! When they finally got to him, they just SAT with him for seven days and seven nights! So...how many of us would do that for a friend? They were just coming along side of him and BEING THERE. When Job finally started sharing from his heart, and was letting his friends know how he was struggling, they just couldn't keep their mouths shut. It's like they couldn't take the pain, so they wanted a fix for it. The problem is, in the process, they completely overlooked God's sovereignty in the situation and made the assumption that they knew God's purpose in allowing Job to suffer.
Here's the scary thing: I easily condemn those three men for how they treated Job and were so judgmental. But, how often do we do the very same thing? It is a gross failure in the art of compassion. We aren't called to judge someone's suffering. We are called to show compassion and lovingly .... LOVINGLY .... sp
We can have the grandest of intentions to minister to someone who is hurting. But let's prayerfully come alongside and not ruin that ministry by trying to act like we need to have the answers for that person.
Used by permission
This year, I am reading through the Bible chronologically. I also
decided to get a journaling Bible (found one on sale at the Christian
bookstore last month - YAY!). I'm not an artist, but I love the idea of
being able to make notes and highlight specific things I want to
remember as I go along.
Reading in Job, there are a few things that jumped out at me this time through; things that I didn't really latch onto before. For instance, we all know that Job's three "friends" are really accusatory toward Job, and we don't like them. We don't like those kind of people in our own lives!
BUT.....if you pay attention to Job 2:11-13, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar really seemed like they had the best intentions of "being there" for their good friend!
They had to coordinate the trip, since they all lived in different locations. They were approaching Job's home, and when they saw him from a distance, it broke their hearts! When they finally got to him, they just SAT with him for seven days and seven nights! So...how many of us would do that for a friend? They were just coming along side of him and BEING THERE. When Job finally started sharing from his heart, and was letting his friends know how he was struggling, they just couldn't keep their mouths shut. It's like they couldn't take the pain, so they wanted a fix for it. The problem is, in the process, they completely overlooked God's sovereignty in the situation and made the assumption that they knew God's purpose in allowing Job to suffer.
Here's the scary thing: I easily condemn those three men for how they treated Job and were so judgmental. But, how often do we do the very same thing? It is a gross failure in the art of compassion. We aren't called to judge someone's suffering. We are called to show compassion and lovingly .... LOVINGLY .... sp
We can have the grandest of intentions to minister to someone who is hurting. But let's prayerfully come alongside and not ruin that ministry by trying to act like we need to have the answers for that person.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Triumphal Entry - There Was and There Will Be
by Roy Lessin, Co-founder DaySpring Cards in Siloam Springs, Arkansas - Siloam Springs is also the home of John Brown University! Contributed by Barb Campbell of Mississippi
There was a time when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem in a most unusual way. John 12
There was a time when palm branches were cast before Him. John 12:13
There will be a time when crowns will be cast before His throne. Revelation 4:10
There was a time when people proclaimed, “Hosanna.” John 12:13
There will be a time when people proclaim, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him.” Revelation 5:13
There was a time when the local crowds cried out His praises. John 12:13
There was a time when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem in a most unusual way. John 12
There will be a time when Jesus returns to this earth in a most unusual way. 1 Thes. 4:16
There was a time when He rode upon a young donkey. John 12:14
There will be a time when He rides upon a white horse. Revelation 19:11
There was a time when He came as the Sacrificial Lamb. John 1:36
There will be a time when He comes as the Righteous Judge. Revelation 19:11
There will be a time when He comes as the Righteous Judge. Revelation 19:11
There was a time when He came humbly and lowly. Zechariah 9:9
There will be a time when He comes to conquer and make war. Revelation 19:11
There will be a time when He comes to conquer and make war. Revelation 19:11
There was a time when palm branches were cast before Him. John 12:13
There will be a time when crowns will be cast before His throne. Revelation 4:10
There was a time when people proclaimed, “Hosanna.” John 12:13
There will be a time when people proclaim, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him.” Revelation 5:13
There was a time when the local crowds cried out His praises. John 12:13
There will be a time when people from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation will worship at His feet. Revelation 5:9
There was a time when a multitude saw His triumphal entry. John 12:12
There will be a time when everyone on earth will see His triumphal return. Revelation 1:7
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