You Are More

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

Patience

Trying to capture an image to express the Fruit of the Spirit of patience is a bit challenging. It is easy to think of images for love, joy, peace, gentleness, faithfulness...but patience, what image comes to mind for patience? With paintbrush in hand I start and restart a thought and then it finally comes. The names of God start to flow out... Jehovah Raah~ the Lord is my shepherd, El Roi~ the God Who sees, Abba~Daddy, Jehovah Nissi~the Banner over me. When God is working the Fruit of the Spirit of patience in us our focus must remain on who God is. He is trustworthy and faithful. Of all the Fruit of the Spirit, patience would probably be one of the more 'end of the line' works I would choose to have God work in and through me. Not because it isn't fabulous to be patient, but because the road to get there can be very long, steep and arduous. In order to be patient, one has to wait. Waiting is not something that comes naturally to the human heart. We want everything right now and hurry! When I feel unkind or unloving its ugly but not always painful. When I must wait for an answer that I desperately desire it can really challenge my resolve. We are filled with many deep heart desires which we present to God, wanting immediate answers. The answers don't always come right away. As He works patience within us, we must remember Who the giver of every perfect gift is. He is the God Who is with us~Emmanuel. He is the God of the mass army of heaven~Jehovah Sabaoth. He sees us, the deepest part of us~ El Roi. He is God on high~ El Elyon and He loves us with an everlasting love that will never be shaken. When we see God for Who He is we can then trust Him with His perfect timing. God is guiding us as the good Shepherd, carrying us along the way when it is too steep. He is singing over us in perfect love. When the answers don't come quickly and our impatient hearts grow weary, we must remember Who our faithful loving God is:

El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)

El Elyon (The Most High God)

Adonai (Lord, Master)

Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)

Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)

Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)

Jehovah Rapha (The Lord the Heals)

Jehovah Shammah (The Lord is There)

Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)

Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)

El Olam (The Everlasting God)

Elohim (God)

Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)

Jehovah Shalom (The Lord is Peace)

Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)

We wait upon the God Who gave His life for us. There is no greater love than this. We can trust Him when He tells us to wait. Remember Who you are waiting upon and know that He is loving and faithful in all that He does. Psalm 25:10

Snuggle Corner

Courageous the Movie

There are those rare times when you watch a movie with gratefulness in your heart. Not only are you grateful for the message that is going out in a time when our society is gorging itself on all forms of immorality, but also you are grateful to know that God's message of truth is still being mercifully sent to our country.

Courageous has held its own on the secular charts of the movie industry. 3 weeks after its premiere, Courageous is standing at the 8th most popular movie based on initial weekend gross. Perusing the statistics did raise some questions...Movies like: Footloose and The Ides of March loom high on the chart, but what are the true statistics of popularity based on number of theaters carrying the movie, weeks showing and gross income? The stats say alot!

Here is the current list and the cumulative gross of the current top 8 movies:

As of 10/23/11

1)  Real Steel - Cumulative Gross (CG) - $51,731,456

2)  Footloose - CG - $15,556,113

3)  The Thing - CG - $8,493,665

4)  The Ides of March - CG - $21,763,235

5)  Dolphin Tale - CG -  $58,560,166 

6)  Moneyball - CG - $57,668,988

7)  50/50 - CG - $24,279,152

8)  Courageous - CG - $21,282,828

Statistics given for this list include: movie ranking based on initial weekend gross, cumulative gross income, total number of weeks in theaters and the number of theaters showing each movie. This got me to thinking...are these stats really showing the true facts of popularity. Here is what was discovered...

- The average number of theaters carrying these top 8 movies is: 2739
- The number of theaters carrying Courageous: 1214

- The average number of weeks these movies have been out: 2.5 weeks

- The average cumulative gross income for these movies is: $32,416,950


Taking into consideration the total number of theaters that have shown Courageous - 1214, and the average number of theaters showing the other top 7 movies - 2739,  the initial stats don't show the whole story.


By taking the gross revenue of each movie and dividing it by the number of theaters showing the movie, as well as incorporating the number of weeks each movie has been out,  the stats look different. 


Here is the list of popularity based on gross income per theater and number of weeks each movie has been out.:


1)  Real Steel - $7,519.11
2)  Courageous - $5,843.72
3)  Moneyball - $5,076,50
4)  Ides of Marh - $4,948.44
5)  Dolphin Tale - $4,455.28
6)  Footloose - $4,383.24
7)  50/50 - $3,384.80
8)  The Thing - $2,835.00


The total number of theaters showing Courageous is 1214. The number of theaters showing Footloose is 3549. There are 2315 more theaters showing Footloose. That means there are 2315 more opportunities to see Footloose and yet people are going out of their way to see Courageous. 


Considering these facts Courageous is actually the 2nd top viewed movie in theaters right now. That is amazing and should be known.


If you haven't seen this movie yet, do yourself, your family and your children a life-changing favor and see it. You will not be disappointed and you will continue to make the statement to the Hollywood crowd that the viewing public wants morals and truth depicted on the movie screen.

Ready To Fly

It may have come early for some, late for others.  For a majority it comes with the arrival of the college years. Most of us clearly remember our first flight from our childhood nest.  As a young 18 year old the sky is the limit. How thrilling it is to be in a new dorm, still emitting fumes from fresh paint and newly cleaned carpet. It is a time of independence and discovery.  Freedom, new friends, optional classes, liberal teachers, and no boundaries can create quite an enticing atmosphere.  Cleaving to an image of adulthood, yet lacking a majority of experience can result in quite a flight. Eventually new and shiny does fade.  Reality and consequence grab hold of our feet and we realize that even new becomes ordinary and many paths have uphill climbs.

When our children leave the nest we see this departure with eyes of wisdom and experience. We carry scars and wounds from our own fledgling flights which resulted in bad landings and close calls. Youth just aims for the sky and trusts that their delicate wings will keep them from the ground, even if only for a few minutes at a time. Parents delight in the flight of their young. The memory of the adventure and the zest for life are thrilling. As the seasoned aerialist knows, part of the thrill comes from the simple fact that ignorance is bliss. How hard will they fall? What scars and wounds will they carry? Has the preparation for flight been enough? As they spring forward from the nest you both cheer and reach out to hold them at the same time.  Why is it that the first motion almost always seems to be that of dropping like a rock and then at last, flight?

There is a great inward focus on the part of the fledgling before first flight; a preparatory compression that takes place while gathering strength and courage to spring forth from the comfort and familiarity of the nest. For the fledgling this seems natural, for the parent it is odd and causes pain. It is one of those seasons where, like the priests who stepped into the flooded waters of the Jordan while holding the ark as the Israelites passed  by, you must get your feet wet, raise your hands in prayer and trust God to lead you through it. God is faithful. He goes with our children where we can’t go. He knows their thoughts, their hearts and the plans He has for them. He will work all things together for good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose.  We can trust Him with this great work. “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. “ 1 Thessalonians 5:24. 

A Still Small Voice

"And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." (1 Kings 19:11-12). 


It is amazing to think that the Maker of heaven and earth could have a still small voice. He lovingly speaks to us in ways we can listen. When a saint walks closely to God, His voice comes softly upon their heart and His truths go deep. A saint was seeking God's answer to a question pondered deep within and cried out, "I know my worth is to come from You but what does that mean?"  God answered. 


To look  into the evening sky and see the unfathomable amount of stars twinkling in the heavens, or to stand on the shore of the sea and drink in how vast and wide and powerful the ocean is, is to be in awe of God and what He has created. God answered saying, "Yes, I made all this and it is amazing, and I made you. You are my creation and you are of great worth." 


Jesus Christ came to earth, born as a helpless baby. He left the privileges of heaven and walked this sinful place, being beaten, cursed and crucified because God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. He did this for you. God answered, "Jesus died for your sins and rose again because you are of great worth." Our worth is found in Him. You are God's perfect, amazing creation and He suffered and died for you because you are of great worth.


Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Listen to His still small voice. (James 4:8).

Snuggle Corner

Here is a great read for the summer, Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. This book examines and exposes the lies that women often fall prey to. DeMoss illuminates these lies and helps us arm ourselves to break free! This is extremely helpful and filled with wisdom

May You Be Blessed

Please view this worship-filled song link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYjyYkIzgw0

Trials

"We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. " Romans 5:3-4. 


I find myself thinking of Peter stepping out of that boat on a cold, windy night to walk upon waves of faith to Jesus. Yes, he did walk on water...a miracle! Yes, Jesus Himself called Peter out of the boat to do the impossible. It took great faith for Peter to step into that water and trust Jesus completely. What an experience. 


Here is what I see today. I see a black night with high winds and even higher waves. I feel the wet early morning chill reaching deep beneath my skin and causing me to shake. The rocking of the boat makes my stomach turn and I think I might be sick. The wonder of the unknown presses down on me. Where is Jesus? Why are we out here desperately rowing into this strong wind? Its been hours. Why? Frustration and fatigue battle within me. My eyes ache from straining to see the shore. Bewildering fear strikes at the sight of the unthinkable! No man can walk on water. I cannot believe what I see. I don't know what to do. I can't think. 


I finally cry out. He answers, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." At His very Word my heart grows calm. I feel courage within. I ask the unthinkable...may I walk upon the water to You? "Come," He says; and I do. As if carried, I walk upon the water to my Savior, experiencing victory over the harsh wind and unrelenting waves. Wind? Waves? My focus shifts. I plunge into the daunting waters of bleak doubt. "Lord save me!" I at last cry out. Immediately He stretches out His hand and takes hold of me and I am safe; completely safe. Such little faith. Why do I doubt? The Lord will never leave me. He will never forsake me no matter how the circumstances of life rage and threaten. "Perfect Love casts out fear." 1John4:18

Savior Please by Josh Wilson

This is a worshipful song by Josh Wilson. Here are the words:

Savior, please take my hand
I work so hard, I live so fast
This life begins, and then it ends
And I do the best that I can, but I don't know how long I'll last

I try to be so tough
But I'm just not strong enough
I can't do this alone, God I need You to hold on to me
I try to be good enough
But I'm nothing without Your love 

                Savior, please keep saving me

Savior, please help me stand
I fall so hard, I fade so fast
Will You begin right where I end
And be the God of all I am because You're all I have

Hallelujah
Everything You are to me
Is everything I'll ever need
And I am learning to believe
That I don't have to prove a thing
'Cause You're the one who's saving me

Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aP_H5EJLUc

Hamburger Soup

1 lb ground turkey meat

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp salt

1 envelope onion soup mix

3 cups hot water

8 oz tomato sauce

1 tbls soy sauce

1 cup baby carrots (sliced)

1 cup macaroni

1/4 cup parmesan

This is a great crockpot soup. Throw all the ingredients in the crockpot, except the macaroni and parmesan. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Add macaroni the last 30 minutes before dinner and turn crockpot to high. Serve when macaroni ready. Top with parmesan. This is a crowd pleaser!

Vanilla Scented Granola

A treasured family favorite from a dear family friend.

4 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cinnamon

1/3 cup oil

1/4 cup honey

2 tbls sugar

4 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 300' and place rack in middle of oven. Lightly spray large baking sheet w/non-stick spray. Mix first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Combine oil, honey and sugar in small saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat while stirring. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour hot liquid over oat mixture, stir well. Spread granola on prepared sheet. Bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Cool completely. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Fabulous Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo is one of those decadent dishes that only grace the lips on special occasions, due to the abundance of butter and cream cascading over those thick fettuccine noodles. This recipe will free you to enjoy this great dish anytime you want. The ingredients are amazing, low fat and the end result is as good as any incredibly rich fettuccine I have ever enjoyed. Mangia!

                                      

1/2 lb fettuccine, uncooked

1/4 cup 1/3 less fat cream cheese

1/4 cup Kraft Light Classic Caesar Dressing

1 Tbls flour

1 cup fat-free milk or rice dream

Parmesan Cheese

Cook pasta as directed and drain. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese, dressing and flour in medium saucepan with whisk until blended. Do this over medium low heat. Slowly add milk, stirring constantly until well blended. Cook and stir until just to a boil. Reduce heat and let thicken nicely while still stirring (around 5 mins). Pour sauce over pasta and add parmesan to taste. Let sit a short bit to allow sauce to cling nicely to pasta. Serve with love!

Where Are You Looking?

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:5-6). Have you ever tried to see with the eyes of a Biblical hero of greatness, reaching to catch a glimpse of what he may have seen? I think of Joseph today. His eyes saw so much. He saw a coat of great honor and approval, and love in his adoring father's eye. He saw a dream, and then another. Anger-filled eyes no doubt filled his vision when his brothers, seething with jealousy, plotted his demise. What of a deep pit, promising death, the blue sky of hope and promise above, yet his young tender feet anchored below? How odd the foreigners must have looked to his naive eyes as they freed him from the deadly pit, only to ensnare him in slavery in a far away land. He kept his eyes on God when his vision was filled with beauty and passion, yet he faced false accusation and prison at the day's end. 

My thoughts rest in the prison in which this dear young man found himself, cast away, as his brothers had once intended, freedom, family and future no longer his to behold. Could he still look to his dreams while fettered in iron, cold earth cradling him at night? Where did Joseph look? We know he looked to God, as Genesis 39:21-23 states that, "The Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him...because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper." Prosperity in a foreign prison is not a goal many aspire to, yet in a pit of despair, God was still there. After Joseph's eyes saw the dreams of two of Pharaoh's servants, he must have looked at the prison door differently. In through that door had come two servant-convicts and out through that door had gone a messenger with the promise of freedom. "Only keep me in mind when it goes well with you, and please do me a kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house." pleaded Joseph as the cupbearer returned to freedom through the prison door, that soon slammed shut. 

The promise of freedom must have given Joseph renewed hope. I wonder how many, many times he looked up at that secured door, anticipating freedom. Every stirring, sound and thought must have brought his eyes back to the handle of that door. The first week passed, the second, the third. How long could he bear to look at that door hoping for freedom to burst through and save him? Two years crept by and no freedom came. He was forgotten, but only by man. God knew where Joseph was, for He was with him each and every moment in that wretched place. The door of freedom did swing open and wide. God brought Joseph out of the depths of despair and into the abundance of blessing and honor, in His perfect timing. God never left Joseph. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Joseph, who kept his eyes on God, says it best, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result." (Genesis 50:20). Where are you looking? God has not forgotten you, He will never forsake you. Look up. "Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).

Foil Wrapped Bruschetta Chicken

Here is a very easy, proud-to-put-it-on-the-table dish that you will enjoy.

Foil Wrapped Chicken Bruschetta

1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained

1 (6oz) stuffing mix

2 cloves garlic, minced

6 chicken breasts

1 tsp basil

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Heat oven to 400*. Combine tomatoes, stuffing mix and garlic until just moist. Place one chicken breast on a piece of double foil sprayed with Pam spray. Top chicken with basil, stuffing and cheese. Cover chicken with foil, leaving a little room for expansion. Place packets in baking dish and cook 30-35 minutes. Serve chicken in packets. Viola!

2010 Review

A new year is about to blossom into life. What kind of a year will 2011 be? There are some unshakable truths for the new year that we know for certain:  God will work all things together for good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose, God is Love and His love endures forever, God is faithfully completing the good work He has begun in us. What beautiful, true promises for the new year. There are many, many more promises to encourage our hearts, found in the Bible. As the last 2 days of 2010 quickly approach it is time to quietly come before God and review all His mighty, faithful works in your life and the life of those He has brought near. Set aside time to be alone with the Mighty King of Kings and reflect on the year of 2010. If you journal, this is the time to start at the beginning of the year and read it all. It is amazing how much we forget. May we be thankful and in awe of all that God has worked in our lives these past 365 days which He alone has given us to grow and to love and forgive in His name.
Luke 17:11-19 (go see)

Love

There is one common thread that binds every one of us on this earth...our need of love. There is a hunger in our soul for it that never rests.  We are compelled to seek it all the days of our lives. Do many find it?  Once found can it last? There is a perfect love which we can hear about, a love that is greater than any other. It is the love that lays down its life for another. Yet, are we capable of such a love? This love asks nothing of us but that we receive it. Can there be such a love? This love unlocks every wearisome chain that binds our hearts...guilt, shame, fear, pain, disquiet, unbelief...It sets us free. This love is patient and kind, it does not envy or boast, it is not proud. Have you found a love like this?  It is not rude or self-seeking and it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. This perfect love does not delight in evil but it rejoices in the truth. Do you know this love?  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. This love will never fail. Are you ready for this perfect love? The empty longing deep within you can be filled. There is One Who laid His life down for you, Jesus Christ. He paid every debt you have ever had. Every sinful, evil act, thought, word or deed that has ever been a part of your life has been forgiven, washed away by the blood that He shed for you upon the cross. God is Love. We innately seek that which can be found in Christ alone. "For God so loved the world that He gave is only begotten Son that whoever should believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. Our sin separates us from God. He has given us one way to be reconciled to Him and that is through believing in His Son, Jesus Christ. The love that never fails is reaching out to you right now, simply receive it. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Perfect Love has been found! 

Reflections

There are certain memories that are so captured in our heart that when we revisit them they feel as though they were yesterday. One such memory is on my mind today. Two darling munchkins sit splashing in the tub while I sit on the floor, exhausted and dazed. My heart is aching as I cry out to God, asking Him why He has put such a desire in my heart to be a missionary. In His gentle, Loving Father way, He speaks to my heart and says, "This is your mission field. No matter where I could send you as a missionary, you would never have the 24/7 opportunity to share your faith like what I have given you here. This is the most important mission field that I could send you to."  My heart changed as I dried my tears and looked at the precious, amazing, eternally significant mission field God had sent me to and I rejoiced. "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:9.

An Absolute Must

There are movies that impact your life and remain in your heart. Faith Like Potatoes is one such movie. Based on a true story with an actual documentary following, this is a gift to see. Meet Angus Buchan, a Scottish Zulu, and fall in love with his faith in God and God's mighty provision and faithful work through his life and that of his family. This is the first movie I have seen that represents the African language beautifully with many subtitles, though the majority of the movie is in English. Angus is still alive and serving with his family in South Africa. You will be blessed, moved and changed by the life of this Christian Saint. I got my copy through the library system. You can also buy it at:
 http://product.half.ebay.com/Faith-Like-potatoes_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ71846801 . You can  also read the book! Twice as special to enjoy. Pop the popcorn, bring your family together and drink in this beautiful story of faith like potatoes. 

Save The Day Cookies!

Here is a fail-proof cookie recipe that will simplify your life and make hospitality a snap! There are many versions of this recipe out there, but this is my favorite. Of all the selections of cake mixes available, our all time household favorite is Funfetti Cake Mix, frosted with a festive colored frosting and happy sprinkles. You don't need to add the 1 cup 'mix in' for these cookies. The other mixes are great with 1 cup of anything you want to add to the batter...chocolate chips, nuts, candy, etc...Have fun!

Cake Mix Cookies

1 box cake mix

1 egg

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup water

1 cup any mix in

Mix everything together, adding mix in (if using) last. Drop dough onto cookie sheet as usual and bake 15 mins @ 350'. Cool and frost, if so desired, and add fun sprinkles. If you choose another cake mix have fun with the mix ins...broken up candy bars in white cake mix, coconut in lemon cake mix, unique flavored chips, heath, nuts....and the standards are always delicious...flavored chips in chocolate cake mix, raisins in spice cake mix, be creative!

Colossians 1:9-14

"For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father Who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Amen

At Peace

A weaned child is so completely different to hold than a breastfed babe. I remember holding little ones in any position but the feeding position for the hours in between feedings. Place a breastfed baby in the feeding position, let them smell the slightest hint of milk and they thrash and fuss and search until they find what they are looking for. Even before they are aware of what they are searching for, they grow anxious and disquieted, in search of it. Psalm 131 came alive yesterday as my eyes and heart saw more clearly its meaning. 


"Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever." Psalm 131


Suddenly I thought of the weaned child and how you can hold them in any position, closely upon your breast and they are calm and content and at peace. There is no frantic searching, no fussing, no fretting;  just rest. When we are prideful, trying to see what God sees, worrying over His way and will for us, we are as that breastfed baby in the feeding position. We thrash and search, trying to sustain ourselves, fully disquieted and anxious. When we trust God with the great matters and things that are too high for us (which is everything) we rest calmly upon his chest and are at peace. He sustains us and blesses us with every good and perfect gift. We need not thrash and search and worry and wonder. We need simply to rest, as a weaned child, upon His chest. He is     El Shaddai. Amen.

Bridging the Gap

Schooling children is an area of great faith. Equipping our children is a call that God has given us that will lead them in the right way. "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it". (Proverbs 22:6) What a comfort and a promise this is! When a family prayerfully seeks the road of education the Lord calls them to, it is a humbling experience. We were two months away from kindergarten with our first child when our hearts were moved to homeschool. I had never even said the word. We followed obediently and found blessings in abundance. The precious time spent with the children will always be a great treasure to me. It was a privilege to have this experience and to pour myself out to train up our children. The Bible was our greatest resource and the deepest desire of my heart was that they would be filled with His Word. The kids learned to write by copying Bible verses, they learned to read this way too. There is history (Judges, Kings), math (Numbers), science (Genesis) and so much more. Of course I had school curriculum, lots of it, but the Bible was the most precious resource of all. I will always remember the day the phone rang and we got confirmation that our eldest child had been accepted into the public Junior High School that I had attended when I was a child. I fell back into the couch and cried. We were entering a new season. God was calling us to public school. I was so frightened and yet we knew God was calling us to trust Him just as we had with homeschooling. We obediently followed and were blessed. There are so many amazing opportunities in public school. The children did projects, plays, music! They had experiences that I couldn't truly give them at home. They excelled and blossomed and were well equipped. They had strong faith and shared boldly. I now had a much larger opportunity to meet families and share with them the love of Christ. I made new friends along with my children and God brought new ministry into our lives. I cherish the time God has given us in public school with the challenges and victories and blessings. They were all there during homeschooling too! The most important thing to do regarding schooling our children is simply to obey God and follow Him. His ways are so much higher than ours. We could never even get close to the exquisite plans He has for our children and for us. "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3: 5-6

Snuggle Corner

Pearl Kashishian is a woman you should know. Have you heard of her? She was born in Kayseri, Turkey on August 17, 1888. Historians describe the time she lived in Turkey as "frightful, barbaric,". She lived through a time of horrific genocide, resulting in the deaths of more than 200,000 Armenians from 1894-96. There followed another massive attack on the Armenian people from 1914-1915, where more than a million were massacred. This true story not only introduces you to Pearl (Henazant) but carries you with her through the adventures and miracles of her faith-filled life and her Escape to Freedom. It is an amazing love story of earthly and spiritual significance. Introduce yourself to this woman of God and her beautiful, persevering, Christ-following people, the Armenians. BONUS: When you finish this wonderful book you turn it over and will find the true story of her brother and his escape to freedom. Enjoy!

Available at: http://product.half.ebay.com/_W0QQtgZinfoQ2drefreshQQprZ49119217

Contentment = Trust (Part 1)

Contentment is found when we trust God with our whole heart.

                              Trust   Abide   Love   Know

It is very hard to trust someone you don’t know.  You may hear all kinds of wonderful things about them but until you meet them and spend time with them, watching them in different circumstances, you truly don’t know who they are. It is just about impossible to trust anyone until you really know them.

Many have heard of God and His amazing love for us. We have seen Him work in the lives of others, we know people who speak highly of Him and praise Him in many ways. But what does it take for each us to truly trust Him. How can we know that we can trust Him with the circumstances of our lives and in that trust find true contentment?

I remember clearly the day I felt the Lord telling me it was time to let go of the last commitment I was involved with.  I pictured myself out in the middle of a huge lake in a little row boat with only one oar left in the water. I cried out to God that if I pulled that last oar in I would be left out there with nothing and I would dry up and blow away.  He was asking me to trust Him to meet me right where I was, even if it was all alone in a big lake with no oars in the water.

 When we have newborns and little ones who are in such constant 24/7 need, it can be a very dry season.  Not only are you putting in nonstop hours through the day and night but you are facing situations that you most likely have never had to deal with before. Things like sleep deprivation, exploding pumpkin colored diaper disasters, crying little ones that you can’t comfort, ear infections, fevers, out-of-the-blue rashes that all seem to appear Friday afternoon, right after the Dr’s office has closed for the weekend. If you try to get to church you rarely hear the sermon due to a hungry baby, fighting siblings or a page that your little one needs you in the nursery right away. It can seem like all you are doing is giving out and nothing is being taken in.

Contentment = Trust (Part 2)

It was during such a season that God called me to Himself and taught me how trustworthy He is. He lovingly taught me to Trust Him, Abide in Him, Love Him and Know Him. We need a desire in our heart to truly put God first, above everything else. His love is what motivates our actions. That love that suffered at the hands of His very own beloved children is what captures our heart and makes us want to give Him our time, our full attention and our heart. Naptime was from 1:00 till 3:00 every day. This was the perfect time to meet one on one with God. There would be no answering the phone, getting the mail or giving in to any other distraction. He would be number one.  You draw near to Him by reading the Bible. If you just get the Word of God in, that living and active Word that pierces bone from marrow, soul from spirit and judges the very heart of man, it will change you, whether you understand it all or not. Its not easy. The distractions come in many attractive forms: a call from a dear friend from out of state telling you she has great news, the UPS truck delivering something exciting on the front porch, suddenly remembering an important item that needs to be taken care of that second.  And then there is the battle to read the Word. You get bored or simply are not in the mood to read. The kids fight their naps or keep making noise. There are a million thoughts running through the mind as you try to concentrate. Sometimes you  just fall asleep. It is a battle.

Day by day with perseverance something beautiful will start to happen. You start to understand what you are reading. You lose track of time and don't want it to end. The words are alive as you read them. The more time spent reading the living Words that come from God’s very heart, the more you come to know Him and trust Him. God is loving and faithful in all that He does. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is for us and not against us. He loves us with an everlasting love, a sacrificial love that holds nothing back.  

This journey leads to a desire for deeper fellowship with God. He tells us to abide in Him just as the branches to a vine. The branches receive their nourishment and life from the vine. When we abide in Him He abides in us. His life flows through us and nourishes us and changes us. You will start to take the Bible with you places, even on vacation. The shower becomes a place to sing praises. Empty notebooks become places to journal your heart to God. Middle of the night feedings became havens of prayer and alone time with God. You will start to see life differently. You won't have to plan everything out so that you get your way. There is a more excellent way, Gods way. His way is so much higher than ours and its not motivated by selfishness, it is motivated by love. 

Contentment = Trust (Part 3)

God is our loving and faithful Redeemer from Whom every good and perfect gift comes. The more we come to abide in God’s presence the more we fall in love with Him and the more we realize the depths of His everlasting love for us. Love seeks us, love finds us and love saves us. It covers all our sins. It restores what the locusts have eaten. It makes us new. God blesses our lives with the love of family and friends, to walk alongside us, sharpen us and encourage us. But there are times when we are alone and only God is there. We have been called to a certain pilgrimage as wives and mothers. It is lonely at times and challenging. How beautiful to know that God is our Husband and Maker, that He delights in us, sings over us and even saves our tears. He loved us before we ever loved Him, with a perfect, unconditional love that never fails. What a confidence this love places in our hearts, what a fire and a passion it fills us with to live for Him.

This perfect love helps us to trust God. Trusting God gives us a contentedness with where He has us and what He is doing in our life and the lives of those around us. Yes, we do feel like a wave tossed to and fro at times. But the book of James tells us that this is due to doubt. These are the times we take our eyes off the Lord and forget that He is trustworthy and that He loves us with a perfect love. When we lean on our own understanding our path grows very difficult and it is hard to keep going. We start to panic and feel alone. We take things into our own hands and try to control them. When we trust the Lord with all our heart He gently directs our path and we grow closer to Him, loving Him more, trusting Him more and being content with such things as we have.

God calls us to trust Him. What we might think will be a time of weary emptiness can become one of the richest times. God meets us right where we are, exhausted, showerless and feeling very much alone in a little row boat without an oar. We only need to open our heart to Him, put Him first and show up. He is calling each one of us this day to trust Him more, to learn to abide in Him and love Him deeply. “Faithful is He who calls us and He will do it.” 1Thess 5:24.

Thoughts

At the right place at the right time, I overheard a man respond to the common question, how are you today, with, "I am doing great on purpose." Brilliant!

The ten day window before Aunt Flow arrives should be outlawed. (Aunt reference from Darlene!)

It is so easy to say, "Yes Lord!" on Sunday with the worship music and the wonderful Word of God being preached, and so hard to not say, "Why God?" when He starts to apply the very lesson we have agreed to.

Being in the Proverbs 31:30 season of life is hard.

Its easy to be happy for others when everything is the way you want it in your life. Go without and try to avoid the pout!

Two women were behind bars, one saw mud the other saw stars.

Keep your head up and your eyes on the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ.

Seasons

"To everything there is a season." A mother's heart is an amazing thing. From the moment the Lord opens her womb she dreams...she wonders...she prays. Today our first born went to college. I don't know why, but I just never pictured this moment. When you dive in with both feet, burn all your bridges, and pour your entire heart into raising and equipping your child, you just don't seem to get your head up long enough to realize that one day, sooner than imagined, they will fly. Yes, it is a moment of great praise and excitement and also one of awe and wonder. How did they get so big? Didn't I just hold them in my lap yesterday? That little hand in mine, the patter of happy morning feet, those big beautiful eyes looking into mine for safety and love...what treasures of my heart. Now tonight that sweet goodnight hug, that delightful morning kiss will be replaced with many, many prayers. I wont walk down the midnight hall and take one more little moment to just stare into that beautiful, precious face. My heart hurts and yet rejoices in this great day of celebration. I love this precious child more than words could ever, ever say. Thank you God for the gift of this dear child. Thank you for helping me to understand, in part, the Love you have for us that resulted in Your sending Your precious One and Only Son to the earth. I love You. "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4: 12-13.    Amen and amen.

Snuggle Corner

Books! What a blessed gift the written word can be. It can be uplifting, inspiring, invigorating, convicting, confirming or even an escape. There is no question that the Word of God is the greatest Word ever written and it not only uplifts, inspires, convicts and more, it pierces our bone from marrow and soul from spirit. Wow! There are some gifted authors that I have been blessed to be introduced to through the years. Just recently I read Gene Edwards book entitled, A Tale of Three Kings. It is a study in brokenness. Check it out. Some of the other anointed authors that have deeply touched my heart and convicted my soul are: Brother Lawrence, Fenelon, Oswald Chambers, Madame Guyon and Elisabeth Elliott. With our munchkins about to start the new school year, it is a great time to get ready to delve into these great authors. Enjoy and please let me know what you discover!

Strawberry Shortcake Idea!

We had strawberries in the fridge, covered in glaze, just waiting to be put into a strawberry shortcake. We had a somewhat late evening and I didn't want to take the time to make bisquick shortcake. I had a can of 8 large biscuits in the fridge and decided to try something new. It was good!

Take the biscuits from the can and press each one into sugar, on both sides. Bake per directions and let cool 5 minutes and then cut in half with a sharp knife.  Cover the bottom half of the biscuit with the strawberries and then spray whipped cream on top. Set the top half of biscuit on top of the strawberries and whipped cream. Oh my, what a treat, and it looked great. I didn't get a picture as we ate them too fast. I think this will be my shortcake standard from now on. You will love these. Enjoy!