Fasting and Feasting

Suggestions for Fasting and Feasting: 

Fast from discontent; feast on thankfulness. 

Fast from worry; feast on trust. 

Fast from anger; feast on patience. 

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others. 

Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayers. 

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness. 

Fast from discouragement, feast on hope. 

Fast from media hype, feast on the honesty of the Bible. 

Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence. 

Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that undergirds. 

Anonymous

All Talk

Proverbs 14:23

In all labour there is profit: 

but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

I am reminded that "talk is cheap."

It is easy to talk big,

to make big plans,

but it is harder to put my mind and muscle to the task.

I had been talking to hubby about another gospel tract idea over this past year.

This verse reminded me to set my mind and pen to the task. 

I was having difficulty giving appropriate time to Bible memory.

Why? It is work!

I have tweaked my morning routine 

and trust it will yield the profit that this verse promises.

It is good when the Bible convicts and corrects;

and when I choose to obey it.

A wife and/or mother has a very difficult task.

What have you been "talking" about?

Is it improvements to your home?

Is it a diet change?

Is it a book that you want to read?

Is it the need to exercise?

Is it increased discipline in you life?

Is it Biblical child-rearing?

Why haven't you followed through?

Talk is no substitute for hard work.

Reveal

My birthday present ...

see the grey, deck before

much brighter cleaned and stained

from so many friends and family members ...

grey before

bright and inviting now

the favorite part of my home ... 

pressure washed, stained, and surrounded by plants ...

the bistro set available for nightly chats with an iced tea ....

the "what-ta" chairs for Bible study in the early morning ...

Coming Soon...

I finally finished staining the deck on Saturday.
In the mean time, the flowers that I planted in pots on my birthday
have taken off and helped to frame my outdoor living area.

The pictures are coming soon. 

But today, I will be busy with a picnic ...

so you will have to wait until tomorrow to see it.

Enjoy your day!

Remembering

Memorial Day ...

A day to remember ...

... those who gave all.

A day to be thankful ...

... for the freedoms that we still enjoy.

A day to think of the warfare we engage in daily...

... against the prince of this world. 

A day to be grateful ...

... for the victory that is already ours through Christ.

Large Ministries in Tiny Places

I just finished updating our church's website.

I am thankful for the weekly work on Monday and Thursday mornings.

 Some results of the effort are beyond explanation.

We attend a small church,

but the people that are reached through the web amaze me.

Daily the web reaches about 3 times the people as are reached in each service.

Some we hear from, others are unknown.

I am thankful for the means that God has given to reach the world in 2013.

Whether in a daily blog reaching 30-40 people a day,

or a church website reaching about the same,

or to tracts distributed around the world ...

if I open my eyes and yield my time,

there are many opportunities for ministries.

It is easy to get discouraged in a quiet trailer in tiny Shelby, NC.

It is easy to desire the large, "glamorous" ministry.

With God's enabling and the help and participation of my small church family,

I can share with 70-100 people each day.

A reason to give thanks ... You Bet!

To God be the Glory,

Great things He has done and is doing!

Led by Feelings

Proverbs 14:12 

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, 

but the end thereof are the ways of death.

I do not think that it is just me,

but I like to please.

I want people to be happy and to be happy with me.

I do not like tension.

It is easy for me to follow the way which seems or feels right.

Recently, I have had to confront 

(rather than avoid or gloss over) 

two different situations.

Was I led by my feelings?

I wanted to be.

I was encouraged to do right by my hubby.

Comfortable?

NO!

Handled Correctly?

I hope so.

I think that women are easily led by their emotions,

possibly the reason that Satan approached Eve first 

and the reason that Paul describes some women as

"silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts..."

I do not want to be ruled by my emotions and led down the path of destruction and death.

So, I need to know God's Word and His way.

I need to be in fellowship and communion with Him.

Just Waiting

I did finish pressure washing the deck last Wednesday.

I also did the brick foundation on the trailer.

I am really excited about my "new" deck.

And now I am waiting to stain.

We have been having one of those weeks were rain is predicted EVERY day.

Can't very well stain when rain is in the forecast.

Guess I will be working on patience,

and catching up on housework,

and doing gardening between the showers.

You Win Some, You Lose Some

There are some women who can look at a recipe and immediately tell if it is a keeper.

I can pick winners fairly easily.

A winner has a crust.

A winner has cheese - any type.

A winner has sausage - yummy.

A winner has an Asian flair.

Sometimes there are those stabs in the dark ...

some become favorites, some are abysmal failures.

Recently, I discovered this marinated veggie recipe.

It was great as a salad,.

I used the veggies on a pizza Friday night,

and it was great on a pizza - no sauce, just veggies and feta.

Last night, I tried another dairy free mac n cheese.

The last one had cashews and nutritional yeast,

this one had white sweet potatoes and nutritional yeast.

Neither recipe was a big hit.

Perhaps, to some extent it is an acquired taste.

I will keep trying,

but not too soon  :)

Attitude

You can’t always change 

your circumstance, 

but you can always choose 

your attitude.

Innumerable

Psalm 106:1-2

Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; 

for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? 

who can shew forth all his praise?

It is impossible to actually list all of the blessings of the Lord.

38 years of life

God's Love

a faithful, god-fearing husband

God's Patience

2 vehicles that run

God's Mercy

a home

God's Provision

food on the table

God's Faithfulness

a godly heritage

God's Care

friends

God's Holiness

the beauty of creation around us

God's Forgiveness

health and strength

God's Grace

the opportunity to serve God

God's Omniscience

5 Senses

...

A Strange Present ... but not really

Today is my 38th birthday.

No, I don't feel any older.

I love birthdays!  Anybody's birthday!

I just pulled my pink lemonade cupcakes out of the oven 

(picture tomorrow when they are decorated).

I already showed you my birthday flowers.

There is a gift card which is going to buy some new sneakers.

We borrowed a washer from some very generous friends.

Hubby started pressure washing the deck last night.

Amazed at the change!  Looks like a commercial!

I am going to finish it today.

I am thrilled with that present!

There is nothing like sprucing up my home.

It is supposed to be 80+* today.

A perfect day for the work.

Then ... maybe staining tomorrow.

No time for fancy celebrations on Wednesdays - 

hubby is grilling for me tomorrow night ...

grilled steak, asparagus, and twice baked potatoes.

God's Dwelling on Earth

Proverbs 14:11 

The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: 

but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

Is it obvious that God dwells in your home?

The house of the godly is described as a tabernacle - 

God's dwelling here on earth!

A WORTHY GOAL

Creating Peace

While God is the source of ALL peace,

we can do our part to create environments conducive to His peace.

Removing Clutter,

Relaxing Music,

Pleasant Scents,

Breaks from media, 

Restful Lighting

I like to create oases both in and around my house.

My guestroom receives the first rays of sun and gives peace in the morning.

My own bedroom with electric candles in sconces on the wall 

gives me the B&B, "stay-cation" feeling any time.

Perennial Gardens,

Vegetable Gardens,

and Potted Plants ...

all create an outdoor sanctuary.

It is perfect that my birthday lands in the spring,

for hubby never has to question what to buy.

For YEARS, we have always filled my gardens or porch with flowers in May.

We went looking last Saturday and filled all but 2 pots.

Herbs and flowers ...

my peaceful getaway without getting away.

Oh - and a face lift for my bistro set.

It was showing its age - 10 years - and now looks nearly new with a coat of green paint.

Next step ...

pressure washing the deck ...

and a coat of stain, maybe?

Grilled Vegetable Garden Salad

Last week, I was trying to use up veggies in the fridge.

Leftover peppers, squash, romaine ...

Hubby had recently told me of a grilled vegetable salad that he had at a business lunch.

I thought that it sounded great,

so Google and I began the search.

We found a winner!

This Greek Marinade coated the veggies and chicken with herbs.

It was easy and could be made ahead.

We served ours cold on salad,

but I also thought that it would be good warm on brown rice,

or warm/cold in a wrap.

homemade rice bread croutons 

The greatest complement ...

hubby said it was BETTER than a restaurant salad.

I did not eat the original, but I did enjoy my homemade feast.

All Purpose Greek Marinade

1/3 c olive oil

Juice of two lemons / 1/3 c lemon juice

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp oregano

1 Tbsp thyme

1 Tbsp basil

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Mix all ingredients together.

Marinade meat 30 min., vegetables 10-15 min.

Check out the salad recipe and how to turn the marinade into a yummy salad dressing.

I also made some pumpkin cheesecake muffins this week ... YUMMY!

Trying to decide what to make as birthday treat this week.

I think I am leaning toward pink lemonade cupcakes!

Cut it Off and It Will Die

John 15:5 

I am the vine, ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

More beautiful garden analogies ...

If I lop off any of the vines on my pea plants,

I won't get any produce from those vines.

Without Christ - this vine (me) is NOTHING!

Erring Weathermen

Today, I am thankful that the weathermen were WRONG this week.

There was a prediction that we would have rain all week.

Though I appreciate rain for the garden, I am not a fan of the dreary days.

While we have had some rain this week,

it has been far from regular.

Blue Skies this morning - and still green, green, green all around.

I am also thankful that hubby and I have been able to keep the schedule free this week.
We had made a plan to, but sometimes it is hard to stick with.
Greatly enjoying the quiet evenings together.

Have a great day!

Productivity Brings More Work

Proverbs 14:4 

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: 

but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

I just cannot read this verse without smiling.

So many times, I want to complain ...

the newly cleaned bathroom is dirty again,

the hamper was empty this morning,

there were enough glasses clean earlier ...

You have done it to.  

Haven't you?

Yes, a "woman's work is never done."

In order to accomplish things,

there will be messes made.

Hubby will dirty clothes working on the car or on the house,

taking care of daily hygiene will dirty the bathroom,

cooking healthy meals will make more work in the kitchen.

Don't stop doing what you need to because it "will just need doing again tomorrow."

Be thankful for all that is being accomplished!

Perspective

The Sunday School lesson for the week is on the 12 spies.

12 Spies - 2 very different opinions - 1 grim punishment

All affected by perspective

Numbers 13:30-31

 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, 

Let us go up at once, and possess it; 

for we are well able to overcome it.

 But the men that went up with him said, 

We be not able to go up against the people; 

for they are stronger than we.

I often watch my perspective bounce around ...

you can read and sense it in the blog posts daily ...

affected by my sleep,

the weather,

my food choices,

those around me.

And yet it should not be so varied.

It should rely totally on the character and ability of my God.

A Christian should be the most stable, reliable person that you can meet.

Romans 8:31 

What shall we then say to these things? 

If God be for us, who can be against us? 

Marinated Slow Cooker Pork

I love those easy recipes that get the "oohs and aahs."

We were at church until late on Saturday night and it was time for an easy Sunday dinner.

This recipe fit the bill.

Hubby enjoyed it yesterday for lunch and dinner, and then again for lunch today.

He raved over this simple meal and enjoyed it immensely.

Put one pork loin in the crock pot. 

Add some water.

Add 1-2 packets of Good Seasons Italian dressing mix.

Cook on low overnight.

In the morning, shred pork with 2 forks.

Add a little more water if necessary.

Leave cooking while at church.

Come home to a feast!

Deliverance or Grace

He has promised that His grace is sufficient.

I was reminded yesterday ...

to stop praying for deliverance ...

and to start praying more for grace.

He is ALL that I need!

Green

Today, I am thankful for all of the "green" outside.

It has been a tremendous spring.

Equal parts of sunshine and rain.

Mostly mild temperatures.

It is cool and damp this morning,

a great change from last year at this time - HOT! HOT! HOT!

Back Yard Perennial Garden started last year in May - I think it survived.

Front Perennial Garden started when we first moved to NC.
Lost a few plants, but keep adding as well.

Green, Green, Green

Irises in front of the garden trellis
- new change for this year.

Blueberry bush and strawberry plants ...
... along with some empty pots awaiting my birthday flowers :)
There were lots of blossoms on the blueberry bush
 - so we are hoping to snack well.

I will enjoy the green,

because it probably won't stay that way all summer.

I am also thankful for the college "kids" that he brought to our church this year.

Not a burden at all, just sheer blessing.

Their last service was last night.

We hope to have them over for sundaes tonight.

Then they leave for home on Saturday morning.

Get Out Your Tool Belt

Proverbs 14:1 

Every wise woman buildeth her house: 

but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

I do not belittle or slight the influence of a father,

but I also emphasize the influence of a mother - for good or evil.

Typically a mother has the most influence over the children in a home.

Many mothers want to abdicate their responsibilities to the father.

It is easier to take "the path of least resistance."

Yes, the ultimate responsibility belongs to the father,

but the father should help and encourage the mother to take her role of authority in the home.

A wise woman will build her house.

Think of the kings of Israel..

Good sons from good fathers,

good sons from evil fathers,

evil sons from good fathers,

and evil sons from evil fathers.

Why such disparity?

The link seems to be a steadfast principle- 

Good sons from good mothers

and evil sons from evil mothers.

How will I build my house? 

What tools are in my tool belt?

my personal relationship with God

the way I keep my home

the atmosphere I foster

my disposition in trials or in peace

my priorities

the meals I prepare

the way I train my children or those in my care

Pluck it down?

ignore time with God in His Word and prayer

avoid teaching character

choose the path of least resistance

let bad habits continue (in my loved ones and myself)

model bad health decisions