"
Welcome
JournEzine
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Depression: Good Days and Bad Days: "Hebrews 12:1 ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.’
Hebrews 12:2 ‘Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.’
Psalm [...]"
Hebrews 12:2 ‘Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.’
Psalm [...]"
JournEzine
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Cup Of Redemption: "“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15)
“In the same way after supper He took the cup saying ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this [...]"
“In the same way after supper He took the cup saying ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this [...]"
JournEzine
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Faith on the Run: "You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. (Job 11:16)
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith. And after you [...]"
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith. And after you [...]"
Karen's Threads of Hope
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Heaven's Song: "Ok, so I just listened to the BJ Thomas song, ' Home Where I Belong', and started thinking about how seriously Heaven sounds good to me tonight.. Just thinking of no illness, no pain, no worries.. Just Jesus... And as I thought of a comment I read from Dennis Jernigan, about wanting to be home today, I smiled, thinking how loved that man must feel as he walks in a door knowing so many have missed him after being gone a few days.. What an awesome homecoming for an earthly husband, father, and friend..
Then I started thinking about how Jesus might be thinking about my own homecoming to Heaven, and thinking how excited He might be knowing one of His kids is Home .. Nope, not wanting to leave planet earth quite yet, but hey, sometimes I have to wonder why I am still here, ya know? Anyway, this poem just came - kind of a song in my spirit as it was playfully written just now.. nothing great, but to my spirit tonight, it is a song of praise as I think how awesome Heaven sounds right now.
I know that heaven is where we long for..
and Glory is what we know we'll see
But in the waiting for that to happen
Aren't you glad we have a God, who knows us intimately?
So let's thank our God for His presence
as we raise our hands in praise and worship above
for with our voice we will sing of His mercies forever
as we give ourselve's to the Redeemer whom we love
Yes, heaven is where we will see our Savior
our Home where we will cry out ' Glory to His Name '
hearing all God's children singing in one big chorus -
thinking, ' oh how heaven will never be the same !'
I know that heaven is where I long for..
And I know it's there where my Jesus will always be
and in the time I have down here , I will serve Him
Yes, I'll love the Redeemer, because of what my God did for me.
"
Then I started thinking about how Jesus might be thinking about my own homecoming to Heaven, and thinking how excited He might be knowing one of His kids is Home .. Nope, not wanting to leave planet earth quite yet, but hey, sometimes I have to wonder why I am still here, ya know? Anyway, this poem just came - kind of a song in my spirit as it was playfully written just now.. nothing great, but to my spirit tonight, it is a song of praise as I think how awesome Heaven sounds right now.
I know that heaven is where we long for..
and Glory is what we know we'll see
But in the waiting for that to happen
Aren't you glad we have a God, who knows us intimately?
So let's thank our God for His presence
as we raise our hands in praise and worship above
for with our voice we will sing of His mercies forever
as we give ourselve's to the Redeemer whom we love
Yes, heaven is where we will see our Savior
our Home where we will cry out ' Glory to His Name '
hearing all God's children singing in one big chorus -
thinking, ' oh how heaven will never be the same !'
I know that heaven is where I long for..
And I know it's there where my Jesus will always be
and in the time I have down here , I will serve Him
Yes, I'll love the Redeemer, because of what my God did for me.
Lifescript
Saturday, March 27, 2010
New Methods to Detect Ovarian Cancer: "By Edward C. Geehr, M.D., Lifescript Chief Medical Officer
Are you experiencing any of the following: a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the abdominal or pelvic area; feeling full quickly; gas or bloating; painful intercourse; or the need to urinate more urgently or frequently? If so, don’t overlook these symptoms. You could have ovarian cancer.
The disease is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women; about 21,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. More than 15,000 women will die of ovarian cancer, largely because the cancer grows unnoticed. It has a dismal 47% survival rate. Those early symptoms are common among women, so they’re often overlooked.
Unfortunately, only about 20% of cases will be diagnosed early, and many of those are inadvertent findings on pelvic exam or from an imaging study. And timeliness of diagnosis makes a big difference. Those with an early diagnosis have a 95% five-year survival rate. However, those who are diagnosed after the tumor has grown beyond the ovary have a 20% or lower chance of surviving five years.
Current screening techniques are inadequate. Gynecologists can take a detailed history, do a pelvic exam, and ultrasound (including abdominal, vaginal and an ultrasound technique called color flow Doppler imaging), and take blood to screen for tumor markers. When a test is abnormal, other more invasive tests, such as a biopsy of suspicious lesions or surgery, help confirm the diagnosis.
But the sensitivity of such screening techniques is low. Even an experienced clinician performing a pelvic exam can miss an ovarian mass because of the organs’ awkward position on each side of the upper end of the uterus and tense abdominal muscles.
Of the ultrasound tests, a vaginal ultrasound is more sensitive than an abdominal one. For example, abdominal ultrasounds of 100,000 women older than age 45 might detect only 40 cases of ovarian cancer, but yield 5,398 false positives. The false readings might lead to more than 160 complications from the laparoscopic surgery (surgery that inserts lighted instruments through small incisions) needed to confirm the abnormal test results.
The color flow Doppler ultrasound, coupled with vaginal ultrasound, improves the precision, helping the doctor to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors. Even then, the technique may yield false positives and the combination is expensive, time-consuming and impractical.
Currently, ovarian cancer screening is expensive because of the low prevalence of the disease, the high rate of false-positives that lead to needless surgery and the high costs of the tests and continuing follow-up.
However, a new ovarian cancer test has just been introduced that may contribute to more accurate detection of ovarian cancers. Called the OVA1, the test helps distinguish benign growths from cancerous tumors. It has been shown to correctly identify 92% of cancers when used along with radiological imaging (such as ultrasound) and standard patients work-ups. This compares to only 72% accuracy when employing usual detection methods.
The $650 blood test measures five proteins that increase or decrease in your blood if you have ovarian cancer. One of those, so-called CA125, was previously approved as a marker to detect response to cancer treatment (you want to see the CA125 levels go down and stay down). However, CA125 could not itself accurately detect the presence of ovarian cancer. But when combined with four other markers, its predictive power increases.
Unfortunately, the test doesn’t help diagnose the tumor earlier. The mass must still be conventionally detected. But it can help to get the patient to the correct specialist sooner and may save a second surgery. Right now, if a suspicious mass is detected, the patient would typically undergo general anesthesia for obtaining a biopsy of the mass. If the cancer is detected, the woman would have to undergo a second, more extensive procedure a few days later under general anesthesia to remove the mass and surrounding lymph nodes. A more certain diagnosis could help eliminate the first surgery.
See All House Calls by Dr. Geehr. "
Max Lucado Daily
Saturday, March 27, 2010
A Tree That Will Never Fall: "
“God is strong and can help you not to fall.” Jude 24
Can God really keep you from falling?
To answer that, go to a . . . tree on a barren hill. A tree older than time. A tree that covers the mistakes of your past and the problems of your future. Be assured—that tree will never fall.
Peace for the Journey
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Good Gravy and the Beth Moore Closet: "
“Oh good gravy!”
(My newest expression used in times of frustration. Please don’t tell me there’s something wrong with it; I could have said something else, have often said something else, but please don’t take my “good gravy” away from me. Thanks to Jet and Cord, cowboy brothers currently running “The Amazing Race” on CBS, I have a new expression for my moments of frustration. It’s nice watching two brothers being kind to one another on this show, considering that most of the other paired contestants are challenged when it comes to kindness and to finding alternate expressions for the four-letter expletives that flow like water from their mouths. Yes, I love me some clean-shaven, boot-wearin’, nice-talking, momma-lovin’ cowboys.)
Back to my “good gravy.” (Which, by the way, I couldn’t make any to save my life. I’m not a cook. On Monday I ventured into the kitchen to make spaghetti for my family and set the smoke alarms off… I’m not kidding. But I digress, again. I imagine it might happen to me a great deal over the next three months. My brain is being pulled in a thousand different directions. Bear with me, K?)
Anyway, yesterday I made the brave decision to venture into one of our closets in our spare bedroom. Not just any closet; the “Beth Moore” closet. Yes, I admit it… I have one. My husband added shelving to the closet several years ago as my Bible study resources began to multiply. Along the way, Beth’s made shelf-room for some of her other author friends. Over the past six years, I’ve accumulated curriculum kits that include:
Beth’s
Nancy DeMoss’s Seeking Him
Priscilla Shirer’s One in a Million
Jennifer Rothschild’s Fingerprints of God & Me, Myself, and Lies
Alicia Chole’s Anonymous
I’m sure I’m leaving something out… help me Bible study gals! That’s a lot of meals out, friends, approximately $3000 worth of eating out or buying clothes or taking a nice vacation with my family, but I’m not bitter, I’m just sayin’, that’s all. And then there are the file boxes crammed with other teachings, ones I’ve developed and ones that I used prior to our moving here (a spiritual gifts study, advent study, Easter study, etc.). Oh, and the “props” attached to the studies (the golden scepter, the crown, the fountains, the candles, the dozen or so table cloths made to match the colors of the bookcovers, etc).
And lest I leave out the rest of the closet’s contents, how about the 100 or so CD’s that have done little more than collect dust over the past six years, and the craft supplies crammed in the upper corner, along with an endless supply of gift bags and wrapping ribbon, and the spiral notebooks crammed with study notes to which I will never again refer; not because they aren’t worthy, but because there is absolutely no organization to any of it.
And this is just one closet, friends (HELP ME, Cindy!). The more I dug, the more I found. Quickly I was surrounded in a sea of struggle, and with tears running down my face, I simply looked up to God and offered my “Good gravy!”
His response?
“Yes, Elaine, a lot of it.”
And as I looked around me, on the bed and stacked all over the floor, I saw the witness of a good investment, some “good gravy.” I could have invested my money elsewhere. Even more importantly, I could have invested my time in a thousand alternate directions, but as I began to sort and pitch—being careful to hold onto the good and eliminate the non-essentials—my heart was tendered by the reality of what God has done through me over the past six years, most days in spite of me.
Not only has he taught me a great deal about his Word via some awesome Bible study mentors, he’s allowed me the lavish fellowship of friends who have come alongside me to share in the teaching. My Tuesday night gals have made the investment worth it. Collectively, we carry the wealth of the kingdom within us, exponentially increasing its value everywhere we go. We may not be able to recall with specificity all the valuable insights we’ve received via the fourteen-plus studies we’ve done together, but we’ve certainly taken hold of the one thread that’s been woven throughout them all.
Jesus Christ and the life-altering truth of his Word.
That’s why most of the participants kept coming back to study on Tuesday nights. They understood it wasn’t about me, but about God. About learning more, seeking more, growing more, living more. About realizing that the “more” is best lived within the context of community, rather than in isolation. Could we have grown in our spiritual walkabouts with Jesus apart from one another? Certainly. God’s Word tells us that he has given us everything we need in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit to grow in our faith and understanding of his truth (see 1 John 2:24-27). But without one another, we would have grown differently, perhaps at a slower pace and without the benefit of sacred participation—of having our hearts intersect for a season so as to bring about a richer, fuller expression of faith.
My Tuesday gals have been my “charge and keep” for a long season, my very “good gravy” and then some. They will continue on without me, for they have seen the merit of what it all means. I’m not sure if I’ll be facilitating another study come fall in my new home, but one thing is for certain.
I’ll carry my closet with me as I go. And should my new home have ample room for a “Beth Moore” closet, I’ll tenderly unpack each study, give them a place of individual prominence, and be thankful for the “good gravy” that has already come to me because of their presence in my life.
Thank you, Beth, Priscilla, Jennifer, Nancy, and Alicia. Most importantly, thank you Tuesday night gals for making Bible study a priority and Jesus Christ, all the more. He is our anchor, our Teacher, and our very great Reward. Keep to him all the days of your lives and see if he is not faithful to fill your plate with enough “good gravy” to keep you well fed for the pilgrimage home. I love you more than words will allow. As always…
peace for the journey,
"
“Oh good gravy!”
(My newest expression used in times of frustration. Please don’t tell me there’s something wrong with it; I could have said something else, have often said something else, but please don’t take my “good gravy” away from me. Thanks to Jet and Cord, cowboy brothers currently running “The Amazing Race” on CBS, I have a new expression for my moments of frustration. It’s nice watching two brothers being kind to one another on this show, considering that most of the other paired contestants are challenged when it comes to kindness and to finding alternate expressions for the four-letter expletives that flow like water from their mouths. Yes, I love me some clean-shaven, boot-wearin’, nice-talking, momma-lovin’ cowboys.)
Back to my “good gravy.” (Which, by the way, I couldn’t make any to save my life. I’m not a cook. On Monday I ventured into the kitchen to make spaghetti for my family and set the smoke alarms off… I’m not kidding. But I digress, again. I imagine it might happen to me a great deal over the next three months. My brain is being pulled in a thousand different directions. Bear with me, K?)
Anyway, yesterday I made the brave decision to venture into one of our closets in our spare bedroom. Not just any closet; the “Beth Moore” closet. Yes, I admit it… I have one. My husband added shelving to the closet several years ago as my Bible study resources began to multiply. Along the way, Beth’s made shelf-room for some of her other author friends. Over the past six years, I’ve accumulated curriculum kits that include:
Beth’s
- Jesus the One and Only
- John the Beloved
- Believing God
- Psalms of Ascent
- Esther
- Daniel
- The Patriarchs
- Living Beyond Yourself
- A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place
Nancy DeMoss’s Seeking Him
Priscilla Shirer’s One in a Million
Jennifer Rothschild’s Fingerprints of God & Me, Myself, and Lies
Alicia Chole’s Anonymous
I’m sure I’m leaving something out… help me Bible study gals! That’s a lot of meals out, friends, approximately $3000 worth of eating out or buying clothes or taking a nice vacation with my family, but I’m not bitter, I’m just sayin’, that’s all. And then there are the file boxes crammed with other teachings, ones I’ve developed and ones that I used prior to our moving here (a spiritual gifts study, advent study, Easter study, etc.). Oh, and the “props” attached to the studies (the golden scepter, the crown, the fountains, the candles, the dozen or so table cloths made to match the colors of the bookcovers, etc).
And lest I leave out the rest of the closet’s contents, how about the 100 or so CD’s that have done little more than collect dust over the past six years, and the craft supplies crammed in the upper corner, along with an endless supply of gift bags and wrapping ribbon, and the spiral notebooks crammed with study notes to which I will never again refer; not because they aren’t worthy, but because there is absolutely no organization to any of it.
And this is just one closet, friends (HELP ME, Cindy!). The more I dug, the more I found. Quickly I was surrounded in a sea of struggle, and with tears running down my face, I simply looked up to God and offered my “Good gravy!”
His response?
“Yes, Elaine, a lot of it.”
And as I looked around me, on the bed and stacked all over the floor, I saw the witness of a good investment, some “good gravy.” I could have invested my money elsewhere. Even more importantly, I could have invested my time in a thousand alternate directions, but as I began to sort and pitch—being careful to hold onto the good and eliminate the non-essentials—my heart was tendered by the reality of what God has done through me over the past six years, most days in spite of me.
Not only has he taught me a great deal about his Word via some awesome Bible study mentors, he’s allowed me the lavish fellowship of friends who have come alongside me to share in the teaching. My Tuesday night gals have made the investment worth it. Collectively, we carry the wealth of the kingdom within us, exponentially increasing its value everywhere we go. We may not be able to recall with specificity all the valuable insights we’ve received via the fourteen-plus studies we’ve done together, but we’ve certainly taken hold of the one thread that’s been woven throughout them all.
Jesus Christ and the life-altering truth of his Word.
That’s why most of the participants kept coming back to study on Tuesday nights. They understood it wasn’t about me, but about God. About learning more, seeking more, growing more, living more. About realizing that the “more” is best lived within the context of community, rather than in isolation. Could we have grown in our spiritual walkabouts with Jesus apart from one another? Certainly. God’s Word tells us that he has given us everything we need in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit to grow in our faith and understanding of his truth (see 1 John 2:24-27). But without one another, we would have grown differently, perhaps at a slower pace and without the benefit of sacred participation—of having our hearts intersect for a season so as to bring about a richer, fuller expression of faith.
My Tuesday gals have been my “charge and keep” for a long season, my very “good gravy” and then some. They will continue on without me, for they have seen the merit of what it all means. I’m not sure if I’ll be facilitating another study come fall in my new home, but one thing is for certain.
I’ll carry my closet with me as I go. And should my new home have ample room for a “Beth Moore” closet, I’ll tenderly unpack each study, give them a place of individual prominence, and be thankful for the “good gravy” that has already come to me because of their presence in my life.
Thank you, Beth, Priscilla, Jennifer, Nancy, and Alicia. Most importantly, thank you Tuesday night gals for making Bible study a priority and Jesus Christ, all the more. He is our anchor, our Teacher, and our very great Reward. Keep to him all the days of your lives and see if he is not faithful to fill your plate with enough “good gravy” to keep you well fed for the pilgrimage home. I love you more than words will allow. As always…
peace for the journey,
PS: For those of you interested in simplifying your life and especially your home, Cindy at 'Letters from Midlife' has done umpteen posts along these lines. You can find them HERE. Thanks, Cindy. I imagine that I'll be revisiting your thoughts/words often in the weeks to come.
Copyright © March 2010 – Elaine Olsen
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Caution: Mind at Work: "Luann Prater
''Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'' John 8:11 (NIV)
'Hey! I want a do-over!' she screamed. The sun was clearly blinding her as she struck the volleyball with her fist to serve. She didn't see the serve fly straight into the hands of the opposing team. It was interesting to watch the reaction of her teammates. Some agreed to offer her grace, others muttered, 'Tough stuff! Too bad!' Middle school volleyball resembles a story that Jesus lived.
In the middle of an ordinary teaching day Jesus shared a revealing truth about our Savior. The Pharisees interrupted His lesson by dragging in front of the crowd a woman who had been caught in adultery.
This woman had obvious, visible sin in her life. She was caught red-handed. It was easy for the lawgivers to snatch this life and display it before the crowd. They had their motives for bursting onto the scene, but Jesus flipped their intentions upside down. When these puffed up leaders asked Jesus if this woman should be stoned, 'Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger' (vs. 6b, NIV).
Did you catch His reaction to the confrontation? Silence. His mind was at work, but His mouth was not. We learn from scripture that Jesus asked His Father in heaven about every decision before moving forward. Why would this situation be any different?
We've probably all heard that pausing to count to ten before getting angry can diffuse an argument, but I want to park here a minute to see what Jesus did.
Jesus' agenda had just been altered by a bunch of self-righteous leaders. He was preparing to teach truth, and now He had the opportunity to live it. Instead of a quick response He hit the pause button while the Pharisees continued the barrage. Jesus was in no rush to respond.
As He bent down, I imagine Him offering up prayers. He saw that broken woman, He heard that accusing crowd, and yet His focus was on truth. The verse tells us He didn't just stand up, He straightened up. Jesus knew about body language before it was hip to study it. The power of this visual communication meant that He was about to say something that would pierce their hearts.
Many scholars have guessed Jesus was writing on the ground all of the sins of each of the accusers there. His words, 'If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her' (vs. 7, NIV), must have been the first glimpse of light this woman had seen in a long time. Finally, someone saw value in her beyond the bedroom.
Can you imagine the flood of emotions filling her at that moment? She witnessed hope in the middle of her circumstance. Jesus then straightened up to speak to her. He declared that He did not condemn her but she must leave her life of sin. She was given a do-over!
Have you ever wished for a do-over in life? I have. I've been that woman who had no hope. I'm a witness: Jesus is the master of second chances. Throughout the Bible He not only raised the physically dead, He resurrected the spiritually and emotionally dead as well.
Romans 3:10 tells us, 'There is no one righteous, not even one' (NIV). Jesus wants you to see that you are not alone. If you look around and think that everyone else has it all together, this story is for you. No one is righteous, not even one! Everyone has their sins, some are just more visible than others. But Jesus knows your heart. He knows your struggles. He sees what plagues your life.
Where are you in this story? Are you the adulterous woman looking for hope? Are you the leader looking to condemn? Are you part of the crowd standing silently in the background? There was only One in this story without sin and He offered grace.
Jesus gave us the perfect example of how to live the truth. Quietly seek the Father's guidance. Think before we speak. Then straighten up and live redeemed.
He has come to give you a second chance; a do-over. Will you listen to His voice?
Dear Jesus, I need a do-over in my life! My sin may be hidden from others, but it is so obvious to You. I'm listening to Your Voice. Will You cleanse me and teach me to straighten up and live redeemed? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know this Redeemer?
Visit with Luann at Encouragement Café!
Confessions of an Adulterous Woman: Lies that Got Me There, Truths that Brought Me Back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
Application Steps:
Kneel down in prayer and ask God to forgive every sin in your life. As you stand, straighten up to experience the symbolism of the new redeemed life you are about to live!
Reflections:
What sin is hiding in my heart?
Do I offer grace to others?
Am I willing to listen to His Voice and live redeemed?
Power Verses:
John 1:16 'From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.' (NIV)
Psalm 71:23 'My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you- I, whom you have redeemed.' (NIV)
© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
"
''Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'' John 8:11 (NIV)
'Hey! I want a do-over!' she screamed. The sun was clearly blinding her as she struck the volleyball with her fist to serve. She didn't see the serve fly straight into the hands of the opposing team. It was interesting to watch the reaction of her teammates. Some agreed to offer her grace, others muttered, 'Tough stuff! Too bad!' Middle school volleyball resembles a story that Jesus lived.
In the middle of an ordinary teaching day Jesus shared a revealing truth about our Savior. The Pharisees interrupted His lesson by dragging in front of the crowd a woman who had been caught in adultery.
This woman had obvious, visible sin in her life. She was caught red-handed. It was easy for the lawgivers to snatch this life and display it before the crowd. They had their motives for bursting onto the scene, but Jesus flipped their intentions upside down. When these puffed up leaders asked Jesus if this woman should be stoned, 'Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger' (vs. 6b, NIV).
Did you catch His reaction to the confrontation? Silence. His mind was at work, but His mouth was not. We learn from scripture that Jesus asked His Father in heaven about every decision before moving forward. Why would this situation be any different?
We've probably all heard that pausing to count to ten before getting angry can diffuse an argument, but I want to park here a minute to see what Jesus did.
Jesus' agenda had just been altered by a bunch of self-righteous leaders. He was preparing to teach truth, and now He had the opportunity to live it. Instead of a quick response He hit the pause button while the Pharisees continued the barrage. Jesus was in no rush to respond.
As He bent down, I imagine Him offering up prayers. He saw that broken woman, He heard that accusing crowd, and yet His focus was on truth. The verse tells us He didn't just stand up, He straightened up. Jesus knew about body language before it was hip to study it. The power of this visual communication meant that He was about to say something that would pierce their hearts.
Many scholars have guessed Jesus was writing on the ground all of the sins of each of the accusers there. His words, 'If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her' (vs. 7, NIV), must have been the first glimpse of light this woman had seen in a long time. Finally, someone saw value in her beyond the bedroom.
Can you imagine the flood of emotions filling her at that moment? She witnessed hope in the middle of her circumstance. Jesus then straightened up to speak to her. He declared that He did not condemn her but she must leave her life of sin. She was given a do-over!
Have you ever wished for a do-over in life? I have. I've been that woman who had no hope. I'm a witness: Jesus is the master of second chances. Throughout the Bible He not only raised the physically dead, He resurrected the spiritually and emotionally dead as well.
Romans 3:10 tells us, 'There is no one righteous, not even one' (NIV). Jesus wants you to see that you are not alone. If you look around and think that everyone else has it all together, this story is for you. No one is righteous, not even one! Everyone has their sins, some are just more visible than others. But Jesus knows your heart. He knows your struggles. He sees what plagues your life.
Where are you in this story? Are you the adulterous woman looking for hope? Are you the leader looking to condemn? Are you part of the crowd standing silently in the background? There was only One in this story without sin and He offered grace.
Jesus gave us the perfect example of how to live the truth. Quietly seek the Father's guidance. Think before we speak. Then straighten up and live redeemed.
He has come to give you a second chance; a do-over. Will you listen to His voice?
Dear Jesus, I need a do-over in my life! My sin may be hidden from others, but it is so obvious to You. I'm listening to Your Voice. Will You cleanse me and teach me to straighten up and live redeemed? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know this Redeemer?
Visit with Luann at Encouragement Café!
Confessions of an Adulterous Woman: Lies that Got Me There, Truths that Brought Me Back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
Application Steps:
Kneel down in prayer and ask God to forgive every sin in your life. As you stand, straighten up to experience the symbolism of the new redeemed life you are about to live!
Reflections:
What sin is hiding in my heart?
Do I offer grace to others?
Am I willing to listen to His Voice and live redeemed?
Power Verses:
John 1:16 'From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.' (NIV)
Psalm 71:23 'My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you- I, whom you have redeemed.' (NIV)
© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
"Schoolfamily.com Blog
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Help Your Child Become a Creative Writer: "
There are many simple and effective ways to help your child become a more creative writer. Here are three easy activities to promote creative writing with your young child. Each activity should take about fifteen to thirty minutes to complete.
Most writing experts agree that pictures are a child’s first attempt at “writing.” Ask your chi Read more..."Take Root & Write
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Do You Have a Thankful Heart?: "
"
When my children were small I constantly reminded them to say thank you when they were the recipients of a kind act. When they got a little older (middle-school age), I continued prompting them. By the time they were in high school, they were proficient at expressing a hearty thank you.
As I look around our society, it appears that the simple act of expressing appreciation is dying. For example, I have yet to receive a thank you note from the last wedding I attended, or a note of thanks for the last two baby gifts I bought. There is no need to cast stones here, because I’m sure I’ve missed a few acknowledgments myself. But, overall, I think the art of “thank you”, whether in written or verbal form, is not what it used to be.
Can any of you relate?
Anyone who reads the Bible sees that it is jammed packed with variations of the word thanks . . . thankful, thanking, and thanksgiving. The list goes on and on. The idea of thanks may not be as prevalent in our society as it should be, but it is alive and well in God’s Word. If we are going to be living examples of His kingdom, we need to better display our own gratitude.
Give Thanks in all Things
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says:
“give thanks in all circumstances...” (NIV)
I giggle at the thought of trying to get a candy-loving, broccoli-hating youngster to give thanks for a steaming piece of the green stuff decorating their plate. If you’ve ever witnessed that scene, you know it is a traumatic event for a child to face a yucky green vegetable. But, being thankful can be equally scary for us big kids!
Not so much in the sense of a steaming veggie, but, rather, in a grown up way. What happens when we should give thanks when a paycheck does not stretch as far as it use to? That can be frightening. What if our car breaks down and leaves us stranded?
I don’t think anyone, including God, expects us to be giddy about a bad situation; but, as Christians, we need to find something in the midst of a bad scene that we can be thankful for.
Many years ago I lived in Dallas and one of my biggest fears was breaking down on a freeway. Because of the location of my employment in relation to where I lived, I always traversed the interstates and I knew it was just a matter of time before my rickety old car broke down. When it finally did, I had just exited off a busy freeway and driven one block.
Thank God I was on a side street. I was also grateful that I was not too far from home. My husband was in class that evening, so I had to call a friend who eagerly canceled her evening activities to come to my rescue.
Was I glad my car broke down? No. But, there were plenty of reasons in the midst of my trouble to thank and praise God.
Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good
Psalm 107:1 says:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever.” (NIV)
God is good, but sometimes we totally miss this concept.
I appreciate the fact that I don’t have to grow and harvest my own fruits and vegetables. I am really thankful that I don’t have to raise and butcher my own livestock. And, I am grateful I didn’t have to run down a squawking chicken and wring its neck in order to have something to throw in the crock-pot. God is good.
We must give thanks. There is plenty in our everyday lives to be thankful for when we open our eyes and hearts; whether it’s the blessings surrounding a broken-down vehicle, a corner grocery store that allows us to live like city slickers instead of frontier women, or God intervening in a catastrophic event.
Do You Have a Thankful Heart?
I can only answer for myself and I must admit that I don’t always have a thankful heart. Sometimes I am quite selfish and I don’t appreciate anything but my misery. But, when I realize I’m out of whack, I move into a place of thankfulness. Whether it is appreciating my husband who made me mad or my kids who did something silly as teens will do, I remind myself of the things I am eternally grateful for. That usually helps keep me back on track no matter what originally derailed me.
Practical Christianity does its best to display a grateful heart and a thankful attitude no matter the circumstances. Do you have a thankful heart? During the times you struggle, be encouraged by 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Psalms 107:1 and don’t hesitate to lift praises to God as part of your thankful spirit.
(c) 2010 Shona Neff
The Gospel.com Blog
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Today’s Devotional: How Will You Show Love Today?: "
When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus responded, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Jesus reminds us that love is foundational to the law and the prophets. Everything builds upon fully loving God and others. We have opportunities each and every day to love each other, but how many of those opportunities do you actually take? When is the last time you knowingly showed your love to someone else?
Lifetime Guarantee Ministries explores the necessity of love in our daily lives, and encourages us to show love to someone today:
My eldest, Pres, wrote a note to me one Sunday morning in church many years ago with his first wobbly manuscript printing skills: “YOU ARE PRETTY. I LOVE YOU.” I saved that scribbled note, along with others from my little tow-headed boys (who are now grown men) expressing their love. Those notes are some of my most precious possessions.
That’s nothing out of the ordinary. God knew how important love expressed would be. Love was the passion that relentlessly drove Jesus as He carried the cross to a hill called “Calvary.” Love was the passion that would not release God until He gave His only Son: For God so loved . . .(John 3:16). All of that to say when we express our love to others we are fulfilling a very important commandment. It isn’t tithing. It isn’t singing in the choir. It isn’t perfect attendance every time the Church door is open. It isn’t a rote visit on Tuesday night visitation. It is all wrapped up in a package labeled LOVE. And according to I Corinthians 13, there is nothing that we can do (nothing, not even sacrificing our lives) that impresses our Lord if it is done without that same passion, that LOVE….
So what is the most important thing you can do today? Very simply, show love to someone. Have you called your mom recently? Dad, how about taking your son to supper and a movie and then later taking your daughter for breakfast? Perhaps give a prolonged embrace for a woman who has recently become a widow, or jot a note to a person just out of the hospital. Maybe you are being called to reach out to someone who’s having a rough time in her/his marriage, to a young man who just lost his job, to your pastor, to your daughter-in-law, or to a child who is struggling with rebellion. You might give someone a vase of flowers with a note that reads, “Just to let you know that I’m thinking about you and that I love you.” Or visit an invalid who never steps outside the house and leave them softly murmuring, “It is so nice to know someone is thinking about me.”
Read the entire devotional at Lifetime.org.
What can you do today to show love to someone in your life?"
Women of Faith Blogs
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Keep the Faith: "
Internet Cafe Devotions
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Because You Say So….: "
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:4-5, NIV (emphasis added)
What would it look like? What would my life, your life, the life of the body of Christ look like if we all answered as Simon Peter did?
Would life be simpler? Not necessarily.
Would life be happier? Maybe not.
Would life be more blessed? More of a blessing to others?
Perhaps.
Because You say so, Lord…I will step out of my comfort zone.
Because You say so, Lord…I will believe that You love me just as I am.
Because You say so, Lord…I will treat those who have hurt me or wronged me, as brothers and sisters…even if it’s hard…especially if it’s hard.
Because You say so, Lord…I will use my tongue more often to bless and not to harm.
Because You say so, Lord…I will honor You in how I spend my time, every second, and not guard it behind a wall of selfish wants.
Because You say so, Lord…I will love at all times, for I am to be a reflection of You everywhere that I go.
Because You say so, Lord…I will live as if this trial is an opportunity and not a curse.
Because You say so, Lord…I will be thankful in all circumstances. All of them. Even if I don’t want to. Especially if I don’t want to.
Because You say so, Lord…I will choose to reach out my hand and not withhold blessings.
Because You are enough, Lord…I will look to You, and not others, to fill my needs.
I will trust. I will hope. I will love. I will.
I will.
No need to look for bigger waters. Let down your nets here, right where you are. The harvest will be great, you will overflow with the Light of the World.
What is the Lord calling you to do today?
Say “I will”. Simply because He says so.
Christine can be found daily at her personal blog:
"
Heart of the Matter Online
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Buying the Lie: " 
My daughter had an appointment with a specialist recently. This doctor is lovely. Truly one of the best physicians I’ve ever had to deal with. She is intelligent, patient, understanding, funny, great with my 3 year old, gentle, encouraging, non-condescending. She has a lot of letters after her name. I won’t even try to understand what they all mean, other than a lot of schooling and a lot of expertise. Along with all of that comes the pay-check, the lifestyle, the wardrobe, the respect, and the pride that accompanies such a career achievement. She is living the dream!
Except…
Once when my daughter was in to see her, this doctor asked me how many children I had. I told her we had seven. She asked if I worked out side of the home. I said no. And that we homeschool. And then she said something I will never forget.
“We are all jealous of you, you know that?”
“Pardon me? Who is? Jealous of me?”
“All of us women who bought the lie that we could invest in our education, and build our careers first, and still have children later and have it all. It was a lie.”
“Oh.”
“I have my education. I have my career. And now I have two wonderful children, but I’m still missing out,” she said. “I am here all the time and they are at day care from early, early ages and then school and I am still missing out on so much. You are so lucky.”
Now, before you take this wrongly and think I am about to launch into a “And that’s why I’m better than she is because I stay home with my kids” soap box rant, think again. Clearly, I stay home with my children, and I am so fortunate and so grateful that that has been an option for our family. However, this is not a rant about working women. I love having a female family doctor, and a female optometrist, and a slew of female midwives (clearly!) so I would be a hypocrite to then say that all women should forever, always, stay home and never work outside the home. That is not the point of this article.
Here is my point: This doctor is looking at me and assuming that because I am home with my kiddos every day, every waking minute of most days, that I am not missing out on anything. That I am there for them, all the time; investing in them like she wants to be for her kids; being the perfectly engaged and engaging mom; experiencing and enjoying every moment with them with out fail.
That’s not reality. Can I get an amen?
Please tell me that I’m not the only one here who will admit that just being in the house with my children all day, everyday does not instantly make me a great mom. Who else will admit with me that many, many opportunities to build in to my children go by every day that I miss and waste because I’m too absorbed in my own selfishness, laziness, distractedness? How much am I missing, even though I’m in a better position to really soak it all in?
I know, I know, my being here at home with them, teaching them gives me an advantage of time and proximity that certainly helps in “getting it right” with my kids, but I still miss out so many times. At a homeschool conference I once attended, the speaker said she didn’t cry when her daughter married and moved out because she didn’t feel like she had wasted their years together at home. She felt like she spent her years well with her daughter, teaching her and loving her, and communicating to her all she needed to know before she moved out. She was at peace with her moving out, knowing that their mother-daughter relationship had been so well built over their years of being home together.
Can I say that? Do I feel like I’m making the most of my days with the kids? Do I see today and tomorrow and the next day as chances to invest in these wonderful little people or do I see them as 72 hours to survive before the weekend?
Here is the challenge for those of us staying at home: being intentional about using these days wisely. There are women who would LOVE to stay at home if they could but their circumstances dictate otherwise presently. We are blessed to have the option of being home: let’s not waste this gift by not making the most of our time with our children. Not just being with them and caring for their basic physical and educational needs, but really enjoying them, getting to know them, preparing them for their future.
What can you do today to change how you view the joy and the responsibility of being at home with your children? What can you do today to thoroughly drink up all the rich blessings of enjoying being with them?
Barbara and her husband, as they homeschool their 7 children, are finding out that no two children are alike! Between lessons and lunches, Barbara blogs at Fuel by Barbara.
Heading Home
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Do You Struggle with God in Prayer? guest post: "
Today, I bring you my special guest poster, Deborah McCarragher…
I was listening to a Christian radio program while driving home the other day, and started thinking about how I often struggle with God over things in prayer. Sometimes that can be a good thing!
Many of us know the story of Jacob in Genesis chapter 32. Jacob was returning to his homeland in Canaan with his two wives, Rachel and Leah. On the way, he sent messengers to his brother Esau (who dwelt in Edom) to appease him.
However, Jacob’s servants told him that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. Jacob was distressed and divided his people, flocks, and herd into two companies. He begged God to intervene and protect him from harm. He reminded God of His promise to bless him and make his descendants innumerable.
During the night, he took his two wives, his servants, and his sons and crossed over the river Jabbok. When he was alone, a Man (Jesus) wrestled with him all night until daybreak. Jacob struggled with the Lord, and that day he saw God face to face.
Jacob wanted God’s blessing, but God was letting him struggle that he might truly see who he was in God’s sight. Jacob had been a deceiver and scoundrel much of his life. God asked him, “What is your name?” – not because He didn’t know it, but because Jacob needed to see himself as God saw him. The struggle produced a hip out of socket and a limp for the rest of his natural life.
Sometimes, God allows us to struggle with Him in prayer, and we are often crippled for our own good. Spiritually speaking, our view of ourselves and our problems need to be bent and dislocated in order for our struggling to cease. Our pride and bad judgment can cause us to live a life that distorts what God has planned for us. He desires for us to “walk a different way” after we have wrestled with Him and He has prevailed.
Submitting to God’s plans often involves wrestling, as is evidenced with some of the Bible’s great heroes. Abraham’s faith was tested when he dialoged with God about the wickedness in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18).
Moses pleaded with God on behalf of Israel when they began worshipping a golden calf and foreign gods. He reminded God of His promises to His chosen people (Exodus 32).
We read in I Kings 19 about Elijah and his struggle with depression. After God’s miraculous display of His power on Mount Carmel, Elijah withdrew into the desert to die. He prayed, slept, and was nourished by the Lord Himself. Then while hiding in a cave, he had a pity party as God revealed Himself to him in a small, still voice.
David was alone and living on the run during his darkest days. He lamented to God in many of the Psalms including 35, 55, 56, 57, and 59. He despaired of his life and longed for the peace of death. Praying to his God seemed to be a lesson in futility.
The apostle Paul tells believers in Romans 15:30 to “strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” In Colossians 4:2, Paul admonishes the church to “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving,” and in 4:12, he tells them that Epaphras, one of their fellow servants, “always labors fervently for them in prayer.”
Prayer is often the anguish of the soul in the presence of God. Romans 8:26-27 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
The bottom line is that prayer is often engaging and deliberate. It’s emotionally draining and often exhausting. It’s exhilarating and soul-satisfying as we wrestle with a Holy God who sees our frailties and embraces our humble efforts.
What a mighty God we serve…
You can visit Deborah on her blog God Mission Possible.
Deborah's book Mission Possible is available at Alabaster Box Publishing.
"
Today, I bring you my special guest poster, Deborah McCarragher…I was listening to a Christian radio program while driving home the other day, and started thinking about how I often struggle with God over things in prayer. Sometimes that can be a good thing!
Many of us know the story of Jacob in Genesis chapter 32. Jacob was returning to his homeland in Canaan with his two wives, Rachel and Leah. On the way, he sent messengers to his brother Esau (who dwelt in Edom) to appease him.
However, Jacob’s servants told him that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. Jacob was distressed and divided his people, flocks, and herd into two companies. He begged God to intervene and protect him from harm. He reminded God of His promise to bless him and make his descendants innumerable.
During the night, he took his two wives, his servants, and his sons and crossed over the river Jabbok. When he was alone, a Man (Jesus) wrestled with him all night until daybreak. Jacob struggled with the Lord, and that day he saw God face to face.
Jacob wanted God’s blessing, but God was letting him struggle that he might truly see who he was in God’s sight. Jacob had been a deceiver and scoundrel much of his life. God asked him, “What is your name?” – not because He didn’t know it, but because Jacob needed to see himself as God saw him. The struggle produced a hip out of socket and a limp for the rest of his natural life.
Sometimes, God allows us to struggle with Him in prayer, and we are often crippled for our own good. Spiritually speaking, our view of ourselves and our problems need to be bent and dislocated in order for our struggling to cease. Our pride and bad judgment can cause us to live a life that distorts what God has planned for us. He desires for us to “walk a different way” after we have wrestled with Him and He has prevailed.
Submitting to God’s plans often involves wrestling, as is evidenced with some of the Bible’s great heroes. Abraham’s faith was tested when he dialoged with God about the wickedness in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18).
Moses pleaded with God on behalf of Israel when they began worshipping a golden calf and foreign gods. He reminded God of His promises to His chosen people (Exodus 32).
We read in I Kings 19 about Elijah and his struggle with depression. After God’s miraculous display of His power on Mount Carmel, Elijah withdrew into the desert to die. He prayed, slept, and was nourished by the Lord Himself. Then while hiding in a cave, he had a pity party as God revealed Himself to him in a small, still voice.
David was alone and living on the run during his darkest days. He lamented to God in many of the Psalms including 35, 55, 56, 57, and 59. He despaired of his life and longed for the peace of death. Praying to his God seemed to be a lesson in futility.
The apostle Paul tells believers in Romans 15:30 to “strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” In Colossians 4:2, Paul admonishes the church to “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving,” and in 4:12, he tells them that Epaphras, one of their fellow servants, “always labors fervently for them in prayer.”
Prayer is often the anguish of the soul in the presence of God. Romans 8:26-27 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
The bottom line is that prayer is often engaging and deliberate. It’s emotionally draining and often exhausting. It’s exhilarating and soul-satisfying as we wrestle with a Holy God who sees our frailties and embraces our humble efforts.
What a mighty God we serve…
You can visit Deborah on her blog God Mission Possible.
Deborah's book Mission Possible is available at Alabaster Box Publishing.
Happier, Healthier You
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Secret to a Meaningful Life: "Do you know what your true purpose is? While this question may seem overwhelming, it’s worth thinking about."
Godsy Girl
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Your Lot; Your Portion is His: "
"
Some of us expend far too much energy stressing about attaining and retaining life's blessings.
For instance, a new job opportunity sparks anxiety because that 'little' voice in your head says, 'but what if I don't get it?' Or an insecure (or wounded) woman is tormented because she is afraid another woman may swipe her great guy.
Whatever the reason, it is fruitless to hold too tightly to the earthly blessings of this world. Have you heard the proverbial example of the little girl clutching her baby chick so tightly that she ultimately smothers it and kills it? Sometimes that happens to adults when insecurity smothers loved ones. How? By unfoundedly questioning motives, wrongfully accusing, secretly searching pockets and other personal items for signs of infidelity. You know what I mean. That brand of love quickly becomes bondage and no one wants to be in bondage.
You know, the truth of the matter is that we cannot protect anything ourselves. God who sees all, judges fairly and knows the hearts of men (and women) is the perfect all-powerful guarding Protector.
Psalm 127:1
'...Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.'
God is best qualified to protect our lot and our portions. Even if people choose to leave us, or our job is eliminated or the child decides a negative path in life - understand that they things were not probably within your complete control anyway. They, and their destinies, are in God's hands. Release and thank God for what is coming...for what is your perfect portion! I love the way the New International Version puts this concept:
Psalm 16:5
'LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.'
Check out how The English Standard version expresses it:
'The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.'
So, in the end God is ultimately our Portion and our Protector. He can handle an enemy much better than you ever could; and he can keep your husband, children, social standing and victory better than you can on any given day. Take the pressure off, Godsy Girl.
For instance, a new job opportunity sparks anxiety because that 'little' voice in your head says, 'but what if I don't get it?' Or an insecure (or wounded) woman is tormented because she is afraid another woman may swipe her great guy.
Whatever the reason, it is fruitless to hold too tightly to the earthly blessings of this world. Have you heard the proverbial example of the little girl clutching her baby chick so tightly that she ultimately smothers it and kills it? Sometimes that happens to adults when insecurity smothers loved ones. How? By unfoundedly questioning motives, wrongfully accusing, secretly searching pockets and other personal items for signs of infidelity. You know what I mean. That brand of love quickly becomes bondage and no one wants to be in bondage.
You know, the truth of the matter is that we cannot protect anything ourselves. God who sees all, judges fairly and knows the hearts of men (and women) is the perfect all-powerful guarding Protector.
Psalm 127:1
'...Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.'
God is best qualified to protect our lot and our portions. Even if people choose to leave us, or our job is eliminated or the child decides a negative path in life - understand that they things were not probably within your complete control anyway. They, and their destinies, are in God's hands. Release and thank God for what is coming...for what is your perfect portion! I love the way the New International Version puts this concept:
Psalm 16:5
'LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.'
Check out how The English Standard version expresses it:
'The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.'
So, in the end God is ultimately our Portion and our Protector. He can handle an enemy much better than you ever could; and he can keep your husband, children, social standing and victory better than you can on any given day. Take the pressure off, Godsy Girl.
God
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Your Lot; Your Portion is His: "
"
Some of us expend far too much energy stressing about attaining and retaining life's blessings.
For instance, a new job opportunity sparks anxiety because that 'little' voice in your head says, 'but what if I don't get it?' Or an insecure (or wounded) woman is tormented because she is afraid another woman may swipe her great guy.
Whatever the reason, it is fruitless to hold too tightly to the earthly blessings of this world. Have you heard the proverbial example of the little girl clutching her baby chick so tightly that she ultimately smothers it and kills it? Sometimes that happens to adults when insecurity smothers loved ones. How? By unfoundedly questioning motives, wrongfully accusing, secretly searching pockets and other personal items for signs of infidelity. You know what I mean. That brand of love quickly becomes bondage and no one wants to be in bondage.
You know, the truth of the matter is that we cannot protect anything ourselves. God who sees all, judges fairly and knows the hearts of men (and women) is the perfect all-powerful guarding Protector.
Psalm 127:1
'...Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.'
God is best qualified to protect our lot and our portions. Even if people choose to leave us, or our job is eliminated or the child decides a negative path in life - understand that they things were not probably within your complete control anyway. They, and their destinies, are in God's hands. Release and thank God for what is coming...for what is your perfect portion! I love the way the New International Version puts this concept:
Psalm 16:5
'LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.'
Check out how The English Standard version expresses it:
'The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.'
So, in the end God is ultimately our Portion and our Protector. He can handle an enemy much better than you ever could; and he can keep your husband, children, social standing and victory better than you can on any given day. Take the pressure off, Godsy Girl.
For instance, a new job opportunity sparks anxiety because that 'little' voice in your head says, 'but what if I don't get it?' Or an insecure (or wounded) woman is tormented because she is afraid another woman may swipe her great guy.
Whatever the reason, it is fruitless to hold too tightly to the earthly blessings of this world. Have you heard the proverbial example of the little girl clutching her baby chick so tightly that she ultimately smothers it and kills it? Sometimes that happens to adults when insecurity smothers loved ones. How? By unfoundedly questioning motives, wrongfully accusing, secretly searching pockets and other personal items for signs of infidelity. You know what I mean. That brand of love quickly becomes bondage and no one wants to be in bondage.
You know, the truth of the matter is that we cannot protect anything ourselves. God who sees all, judges fairly and knows the hearts of men (and women) is the perfect all-powerful guarding Protector.
Psalm 127:1
'...Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.'
God is best qualified to protect our lot and our portions. Even if people choose to leave us, or our job is eliminated or the child decides a negative path in life - understand that they things were not probably within your complete control anyway. They, and their destinies, are in God's hands. Release and thank God for what is coming...for what is your perfect portion! I love the way the New International Version puts this concept:
Psalm 16:5
'LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.'
Check out how The English Standard version expresses it:
'The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.'
So, in the end God is ultimately our Portion and our Protector. He can handle an enemy much better than you ever could; and he can keep your husband, children, social standing and victory better than you can on any given day. Take the pressure off, Godsy Girl.
Gisele Jaquenod
Saturday, March 27, 2010
New Birdie Says stackable mugs! Win a set!!: "
EN – Yesss!! Finally some news on the Birdie Says mug collection!! There is a new style of mugs available from Cafepress now, the stackable mugs!! They come in a set of 4, and I have already uploaded a couple of designs. To celebrate, I am giving away one set to one of you!! Check below how to enter!!
This is how the mugs look!
No Tea No Work mug available!!
Hanging there available!!
click here to see more available designs
- How to enter
- 1.Post about this giveaway in your blog or your facebook, adding a link to this post!!
- 2.Leave me a comment in this post with the link to your blog post or your facebook profile!!
- 3.To duplicate your chances tweet about the contest using the TWEET button on this post!! (Please don’t forget to leave me your twitter username on the comment aswell!)
- 4.Deadline is April 16th at midnight in Norway (+1 / CET time)!! Good luck everyone!!
Feast on the Cheap
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Hoisin Chicken
March 23, 2010
by feastonthecheap
Serves 8
Mary Anne here. This is a recipe that harkens back to my days as a very, very young mom. A dear friend of mine, Victoria, had a little boy exactly the same age as Mariel and when they were barely tots, Victoria and I used to take turns babysitting for each other’s kids, grabbing some precious mommy me-time. My escape inevitably involved the nearby barn and a riding lesson, while Victoria shopped ’til…well you know the saying. One day, after spending a few blissful hours on horseback, I returned to Victoria’s apartment to retrieve my squeaky-voiced, pony-tailed little girl. Not so fast, I was scolded by my pal. She had found a new recipe and was determined to feed this guinea pig in riding britches! Victoria’s Hoisin Chicken immediately became a favorite of not only mine, but my husband’s and eventually two out of three of our kids. Almost a trifecta. My older son popped in last week while I was stir-frying a batch and left with several containers of this healthful, homemade version of Chinese takeout. Added bonus – it’s a whole lot less expensive, especially if you have a well-stocked Asian pantry! Oh, and if you have a Wok, all the better, but don’t fret, a large sauté pan works just as well.
Ingredients:
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ½-inch cubes – $5.98
¼ cup cooking sherry – stock
2 Tablespoons corn starch – stock
1 Teaspoon salt
½ Teaspoon sugar – stock
4 Tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil – stock
1 cup sliced mushrooms – $1.98
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped – $0.92
½ cup salted peanuts or cashews – $0.49
1 – 8 oz. can sliced water chestnuts – $0.69
2/3 cup Hoisin sauce – $2.99
cooked brown or white rice – stock
Grand Total Assuming Well-Stocked Pantry: $13.05 Total Per Serving: $1.63
Directions:
1. Prepare the rice according to package directions. Brown rice generally takes approximately 45 minutes while white rice cooks in 10 minutes. Plan accordingly. The Hoisin Chicken takes only a few minutes once the prep/chopping is completed.
2. In a 2-quart bowl, whisk together the sherry, cornstarch, salt, and sugar. Add the chicken cubes and toss to coat thoroughly. Set aside.
3. Heat 1 Tablespoon of the oil in a wok or large sauté pan. The oil is hot when you can see it shimmer across the top. Stir in the prepared vegetables and stir fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the veggies and set aside.
4. Add the remaining oil to the pan and heat as directed in step 3. Add the chicken mixture and stir fry until the meat turns white and is cooked through. Add the vegetables, peanuts, and Hoisin sauce. Stir thoroughly to combine and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until heated evenly. Serve over the hot rice.
March 23, 2010
by feastonthecheap
Serves 8
Mary Anne here. This is a recipe that harkens back to my days as a very, very young mom. A dear friend of mine, Victoria, had a little boy exactly the same age as Mariel and when they were barely tots, Victoria and I used to take turns babysitting for each other’s kids, grabbing some precious mommy me-time. My escape inevitably involved the nearby barn and a riding lesson, while Victoria shopped ’til…well you know the saying. One day, after spending a few blissful hours on horseback, I returned to Victoria’s apartment to retrieve my squeaky-voiced, pony-tailed little girl. Not so fast, I was scolded by my pal. She had found a new recipe and was determined to feed this guinea pig in riding britches! Victoria’s Hoisin Chicken immediately became a favorite of not only mine, but my husband’s and eventually two out of three of our kids. Almost a trifecta. My older son popped in last week while I was stir-frying a batch and left with several containers of this healthful, homemade version of Chinese takeout. Added bonus – it’s a whole lot less expensive, especially if you have a well-stocked Asian pantry! Oh, and if you have a Wok, all the better, but don’t fret, a large sauté pan works just as well.
Ingredients:
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ½-inch cubes – $5.98
¼ cup cooking sherry – stock
2 Tablespoons corn starch – stock
1 Teaspoon salt
½ Teaspoon sugar – stock
4 Tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil – stock
1 cup sliced mushrooms – $1.98
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped – $0.92
½ cup salted peanuts or cashews – $0.49
1 – 8 oz. can sliced water chestnuts – $0.69
2/3 cup Hoisin sauce – $2.99
cooked brown or white rice – stock
Grand Total Assuming Well-Stocked Pantry: $13.05 Total Per Serving: $1.63
Directions:
1. Prepare the rice according to package directions. Brown rice generally takes approximately 45 minutes while white rice cooks in 10 minutes. Plan accordingly. The Hoisin Chicken takes only a few minutes once the prep/chopping is completed.
2. In a 2-quart bowl, whisk together the sherry, cornstarch, salt, and sugar. Add the chicken cubes and toss to coat thoroughly. Set aside.
3. Heat 1 Tablespoon of the oil in a wok or large sauté pan. The oil is hot when you can see it shimmer across the top. Stir in the prepared vegetables and stir fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the veggies and set aside.
4. Add the remaining oil to the pan and heat as directed in step 3. Add the chicken mixture and stir fry until the meat turns white and is cooked through. Add the vegetables, peanuts, and Hoisin sauce. Stir thoroughly to combine and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until heated evenly. Serve over the hot rice.
Faith Imagined
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Jacob Study - Wrestling with God: "
'Then the man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me'' (Genesis 32.26 NIV).
"
I wrestle with God a lot. Like Jacob, God leads me to a place of transition, and the core of who I am is exposed. God points out a deep rooted sin, and He waits on me to make a choice: Will I allow Him to uproot the ugliness or will I run and hide from His hand? If I let God do spiritual surgery on my heart, I will have spiritual health to carry the weight of His blessings. If I run and hide from this divine appointment, I will be filled with my own ugliness and unable to bear His fullness in my life.
Out of obedience, Jacob moved forward with God until he was stuck in a place of transition. He couldn't run back to Laban (his father-in-law), yet he feared going forward to Esau (his brother). Jacob's deceitful past was catching up to him, and he ran out of hiding places. With no where to turn, he had to confront the facts -- he was a deceiver (Genesis 32).
God had been blessing Jacob even though he had this character flaw. God provided Jacob with children, servants, riches, authority, etc. However, God wanted to bless Jacob at a new level, but Jacob needed some excess baggage cut off. Jacob couldn't move forward into God's abundance because he was tied down by his sin.
Finally, Jacob confronted God face to face and had an all-out wrestling match. The interesting thing about wrestling with God is that God never moves or changes. God is perfect and unchanging. If we decide to take Him on, we will be the ones who move and change.
When we wrestle with God, we become meek. Meekness means that we allow God complete control over our lives, so that we can have the fullness of His glory, power and strength displayed through our lives. If you want the power of God, wrestle with Him whenever He calls you into the ring. Allow God complete control, and He will use you to shine His glory.
I used to try to avoid wrestling with God. I thought that if I could just pray hard enough and keep my ears focused on the Holy Spirit, that I would be good enough to bypass this painful encounter with Him. I thought I could change myself without feeling the pruning of His hand. But I've learned to embrace it! I want to be blessed by God; and if I have to wrestle with Him and allow my sinful nature to be cut, then so be it! I want His blessings more than I want a painless, carefree life.
How do you know that God is inviting you to a wrestling match? Just remember M.E.E.K.
Moving: You feel a movement of God and obediently follow His lead.
Exposing: You feel stuck because you can't go back to who you were and are unable to move into God's fullness for you.
Extracting: You feel God cutting away hidden sin and endure for the promised blessings.
Kneeling: You feel changed in Christ and are more aware of His majesty and glory.
I don't know about you, but I want to wrestle with God. Do not feel guilty when you go through this process. It is not a sign of your lack of faith. It is a sign that you hunger for Him more than you hunger for comfortable and easy. So get into the ring! I promise that you will lose, but you will gain His blessings!
Out of obedience, Jacob moved forward with God until he was stuck in a place of transition. He couldn't run back to Laban (his father-in-law), yet he feared going forward to Esau (his brother). Jacob's deceitful past was catching up to him, and he ran out of hiding places. With no where to turn, he had to confront the facts -- he was a deceiver (Genesis 32).
God had been blessing Jacob even though he had this character flaw. God provided Jacob with children, servants, riches, authority, etc. However, God wanted to bless Jacob at a new level, but Jacob needed some excess baggage cut off. Jacob couldn't move forward into God's abundance because he was tied down by his sin.
Finally, Jacob confronted God face to face and had an all-out wrestling match. The interesting thing about wrestling with God is that God never moves or changes. God is perfect and unchanging. If we decide to take Him on, we will be the ones who move and change.
When we wrestle with God, we become meek. Meekness means that we allow God complete control over our lives, so that we can have the fullness of His glory, power and strength displayed through our lives. If you want the power of God, wrestle with Him whenever He calls you into the ring. Allow God complete control, and He will use you to shine His glory.
I used to try to avoid wrestling with God. I thought that if I could just pray hard enough and keep my ears focused on the Holy Spirit, that I would be good enough to bypass this painful encounter with Him. I thought I could change myself without feeling the pruning of His hand. But I've learned to embrace it! I want to be blessed by God; and if I have to wrestle with Him and allow my sinful nature to be cut, then so be it! I want His blessings more than I want a painless, carefree life.
How do you know that God is inviting you to a wrestling match? Just remember M.E.E.K.
Moving: You feel a movement of God and obediently follow His lead.
Exposing: You feel stuck because you can't go back to who you were and are unable to move into God's fullness for you.
Extracting: You feel God cutting away hidden sin and endure for the promised blessings.
Kneeling: You feel changed in Christ and are more aware of His majesty and glory.
I don't know about you, but I want to wrestle with God. Do not feel guilty when you go through this process. It is not a sign of your lack of faith. It is a sign that you hunger for Him more than you hunger for comfortable and easy. So get into the ring! I promise that you will lose, but you will gain His blessings!
'Then the man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me'' (Genesis 32.26 NIV).
"
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