Giveaway Reminder!

I just want to remind everyone that today is the last day to enter the giveaway. I have had only one person leave a comment so she will win by default if no one else comments. I know I have had a few more followers join, but no one left a comment. The only way to be entered is to leave a comment telling me you became a follower.

I have another giveaway ready to go when this one is finished so you can start telling your friends to get ready for more free stuff!

Psalms

I just wanted to share a few verses from Psalms that I have read in the last couple of days.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to Y0u, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."
--Psalm 19:14 (HCSB)

"Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause."
--Psalm 25:3 (KJV)

I really don't have any comments on these, but they stuck out to me for a reason, so I wanted to share.

You Mean It's Not All About Me?!

I have started re-reading Passionate Housewives Desperate for God because one of my on-line groups started reading it together and are discussing a chapter a week. Since the first time I read it all on my own, I thought I might benefit from a discussion on it.

I wanted to share something that I don't remember from my first reading. Chapter 2 is titled, "You Mean It's Not All About Me?". Here are some excerpts:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their won desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers. (2 Timothy 4:3, NKJV)

Many of these teachers may claim Christ (some may even be pastors or elders); yet, because they fear that the true teachings of Scripture are too hard for people to bear, they soften and sugarcoat the truth. The result is an ineffectual message, twisted beyond recognition and poisonous to the soul. In an attempt to be popular or more widely accepted, they focus on the pleasant benefits that may come from living a godly life, often omitting the pain and sacrifice that is involved in our sanctification.

Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise. (John 12:42-43, NKJV) . . .

The truth is that biblical motherhood doesn't mean we're promised postcard-perfect days hwere we lounge together with our little ones on the porch swing in white starched dressessipping lemonade and singing in harmony. Homegrown children take a lot of hard work--and sometimes "it ain't pretty" Other times, it's breathtaking

Biblical motherhood means sacrifice, selfless love, and faithful dedication.

Psalm 136

Psalm 136

¹O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

²O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

³O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁴To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁵To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁶To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁷To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

⁸The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

⁹The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

¹⁰To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹¹And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹²With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

¹³To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹⁴And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹⁵But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

¹⁶To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

¹⁷To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹⁸And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹⁹Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

²⁰And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

²¹And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

²²Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

²³Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

²⁴And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

²⁵Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

²⁶O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Last night when I was in need of some guidance, He lead me to his Psalm. I just sat down and opened the Bible and there was the reminder I needed--"his mercy endureth for ever"! I was shown over and over again that He is always with me, His grace and mercy are forever with me, and that He loves me beyond measure. It was just what I needed to hear last night. Thank you, God, for revealing Your words to me!

Another Giveaway!

I meant to do this on Easter Sunday, but if you know what has been going on in my life since last Saturday, you will know that Easter Sunday was extremely busy and stressful.

I have a copy of The Passion of the Christ to giveaway! This is a great movie and one that moves me to tears every time I watch it. It is not an easy one to watch, but it reminds me of the great love our God has for us. . . for me. I recommend that if you have not seen it and do not win the giveaway, to go out and rent it. It will change your life!

To enter the giveaway, you can do the following:

*Leave a comment saying you are (or have become) a follower of this blog!
*Create an entry on your own blog directing your readers here (leave in a comment that you did this with your blog address).
*If someone becomes a follower and says that you are the one who recommended my blog, you will be entered again (and of course they will for becoming a follower!).

You may enter the giveaway until the end of the month. On May 1st, I will draw the winning name and will contact you if I need your mailing address to mail out the movie.

A Prudent Wife

"Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD."
--Proverbs 19:14

While reading Proverbs today, this verse stuck out to me. It made me wonder the biblical meaning of "prudent", so I got out my Strong's concordance and looked it up. It means: intelligent, skillful, wise, a teacher and guide.

Am I those things? Am I a prudent wife? There are days when I might say that I am, but there are definitely days when I am not. I do not always make wise decisions. I am not always the best teacher for my girls (when I am teaching by example and I am being a bad example). I am not the most skillful woman out there (but I'm getting better).

How am I to become a prudent wife? By turning to the LORD. He is the One who gives a prudent wife, so He is the One who can make me a prudent wife. I need to make sure I am turning to Him for all things. I am to turn to Him for wisdom and intelligence. I am to turn to Him for guidance in all things. I am to ask (plead) Him for skills. I am to repent when I teach by bad example. He is the only One who can change me. He is the only One who can help me be a prudent wife who is a blessing to my husband.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for revealing Your Word to me today. Thank You that Your Word is living and will speak to me exactly what I need to hear no matter how many times I have read it. Thank You for loving me enough to reproof and chastise me. Thank You for drawing me closer to You.

Obama wants A rock, not THE rock

I read the following blog entry on another blog I check out occasionally. I hadn't heard this story in the news, but then again, I don't really watch the news anymore (expect for the occasional seeing it in passing when Chad has it on). This just reminded me that we need to be praying even more for our country and our president. May we all be diligent in praying for wisdom, guidance, and (dare I say, salvation) for our president. Please check it out.

http://pennyraine.com/blog/2009/04/obama-the-rock-georgetown-ihs/

"But You, O Lord. . ."

"But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the LORD with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill."
--Psalm 3:3-4

I have been having a hard time sleeping lately. I've also been feeling more and more distant from the Lord. This morning when I awoke for about the sixth time during the night at 3:30 am, I cried out to God asking why I couldn't sleep and why I was so achy (why I thought I wasn't sleeping well). It was then that I heard Him tell me to get on my knees. I knelt beside the bed and cried out to Him. It wasn't until I did this, that He opened my eyes to why I have been feeling the way I have--I haven't been giving Him everything. I haven't been turning to Him in my time of weakness. I haven't been relying on Him. When I finally actually cried out to Him, He heard me from on high. He lifted my head and gave me comfort.

After doing this, I decided to get up and read my Bible and I started reading in Psalms. When I got to these verses, my heart skipped a beat. God heard me! He is my shield and my protector! He is my comforter! Praise God, I serve a God who cares for me. I serve THE ONE AND ONLY God!

LifeWalk 2009

It's that time of year again . . . time for us to walk and raise money for life! Every year the girls and I walk for Care Net of Cadillac's LifeWalk. The money raised helps Care Net of Cadillac offer free services such as:

*Spiritual counseling

*Pregnancy tests and individual counseling

*Parenting classes and Bible Studies

*Limited Obstetrical ultrasound

*Material Assistance (baby clothes, diapers, formula, and furnishings)

*Fatherhood Support Services

*STD & Abstinence Education & information

*Referrals to Local agencies

*Abortion recovery groups

If you feel called to help support Care Net of Cadillac, you can do so in a number of different ways!

1. Pray for Care Net of Cadillac and the LifeWalk
2. Support Team Carmichael as we walk (just let me know how much and Care Net of Cadillac will bill you after the walk)
3. Become a walker yourself (let me know and I will get you a pledge form!)

Our goal for this year is $500. Last year we raised $350. Please consider helping us reach our goal this year. We would also love for someone to join us on our walk and help keep all seven young team members safe!

Home Cooking for Body and Soul--Lesson #10--Nothing is Impossible with God!

Home Cooking for Body and Soul

Lesson #10—Nothing is Impossible with God

Dinner: Impossible Chicken n’ Broccoli Pie (see below)

Verses: Luke 1:26-38

Let’s read Luke 1:26-38 and then we’ll go back through and look closer at some of the verses.

28 The angel calls Mary “blessed”. Why? Some religions view Mary as blessed because she is holy, but she is blessed because she received God’s grace. We, too, can be blessed if we accept God’s grace.

34 Is Mary questioning God with this verse? I don’t think so because she doesn’t ask for a sign. I believe she is just making an observation and asking for more information (not a sign). Her later actions support that she has faith.

37 We need to forever remember this verse. NOTHING is impossible with God. No matter how difficult something seems, God always keeps his promises; He is faithful. This should be our own statement of faith.

38 To have Mary’s faith, WOW! First, she humbles herself before God by referring to herself as a “maidservant”. She is showing her readiness to be faithful and obedient. Second, she is being faithful even though she doesn’t understand everything. She is experiencing something that has never happened before to anyone. She didn’t know what was going to happen next, but she had faith that God would take care of her. She knew that by law Joseph had the right to have her stoned when he found out that she was with child, but she had faith that God would protect her. She stepped out in faith for her God—the One who is always faithful.

May we be like Mary. May we have the faith she had. May we tell God, “Let it be to me according to your word.”

Money-saving tip: Shop Goodwill for kitchen “things”. Goodwill is a great source for high-end products at low costs. Tupperware is a great thing to find as it has a lifetime warranty on it. If you find a container without a lid, buy it and then contact a Tupperware consultant to get a replacement! I had a friend find a never used Pampered Chef loaf pan for only $3 and they are $21.50 new!

Health tip: Use real butter or other healthy oils. I know it is a major controversy of margarine vs. butter, but in the end, butter is better for you as it is close to “natural”. Margarine may be a lot cheaper, but is your health (and the health of your family) worth it? The thing that sealed the deal for me is that cockroaches won’t even eat margarine! That tells you how bad it is. To make using butter even better, use unsalted butter. Coconut oil is also a great alternative to melted butter or shortening. Olive oil (extra virgin olive oil is best) is great not only for you, but helps with dry skin and makes your hair shiny.

Impossible Chicken n' Broccoli Pie

Ingredients:

1 pkg. frozen chopped broccoli, thawed & drained 1/2 cup bisquick type mix

1 cup shredded cheese 1 cup milk

2 eggs 1 cup cooked, cubed chicken

1/2 tsp salt 1/3 cup chopped onion

1/4 tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 9" pie plate. Spinkle broccoli, cheese, chicken and onion in pie plate. Stir remaining ingredients with a fork until blended. Pour into pie plate. Bake 30-35 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

serves 6

Angel Bars

1 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar 2 1/4 cup flour

1 egg 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cream of tartar 1 tsp soda

Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix butter and sugars. Add egg and salt. Mix dry ingredients together. Add sugar mixture. Add vanilla. Make in small balls; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes

I Serve a Risen Savior!

Today is Easter. Today is the day we celebrate the wonderful fact that Christ defeated death and rose again! He died for us. He died for me and my sins. His sacrifice was great and He did it all for me. I can't even imagine what He experienced or the pain that God felt when He watched His only Son die, but I am so ever grateful for His sacrifice. It is because He took my sins upon Himself so that I may be forgiven and have everlasting life, that I can in turn forgive those who hurt me. The pain I experience is in no way comparable to the pain that my sin caused my Savior. He loved me enough to die for me so that I may be washed clean. How amazing is that?!

What is even more amazing is that He did the same for everyone! Everyone can experience eternal life and unconditional love by accepting the fact that Christ died for you. Take a moment and just think about the pain and suffering He endured for you. He did it because He loves you; He wants you to be His.

So today amid all the hoopla of Easter bunnies and chicks and so forth, don't forget the real reason we celebrate. Christ died for YOU! Discuss it with your children. Press upon them the amazing love He has for them. Remind them that although coloring eggs, egg hunts and Easter baskets are nice, the best thing of Easter is the tremendous love that Christ showed us by dying for us and the fact that He defeated death and rose again. What a thing to celebrate!

The Great Deception

I found two interesting posts on another blog that I follow that I wanted to encourage you to read. When you go to the site, you will have to scroll down to read part 1 first and then go back up to the top to read part 2. They are both very good and very convicting. I saw areas where I was being deceived (although not as many as I would have in the past. Thank You, Lord Jesus!). I am copying just a portion from part 1 to entice you! Please visit Large Family Mothering to read the posts.

God's Word is not politically correct. If you read it closely, you will not find a flower-boy named Jesus, but you will find a mighty, righteous warrior explicitly submitted to the will of God. He was tender-hearted, and merciful, but His hands were as rough as His words. So many people have painted Him as a man of "peace"--but they have not read the entire story. Jesus came into the world to save it, but will return to judge it, with a sword and a blood-dipped robe. He Himself said He did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Home Cooking for Body and Soul---Lesson #9--As the Deer

Home Cooking for Body and Soul

Lesson #9—As the Deer

Dinner: venison gravy over mashed potatoes served with green beans (see below)

Verses: Psalm 42: 1-3

Do you ever thirst for God? Do you ever feel like you could never get close enough to God to satisfy your desires? If you have, then you’re not alone. If you haven’t, then you are missing out on something great, something that will grow you and change you.

Psalm 42 talks about just such a thirst. Read Psalm 42: 1-3. Can you picture it? I can clearly see a deer running up to a brook and leaning to take a cool, refreshing drink to quench it’s thirst. The psalmist used this imagery to describe his longing for God’s presence, but we can also learn more.

How often do you think a deer needs to take a drink? Several times a day. Does a deer take a drink once a month? Once a week? Once a day? No! A deer is going to take a drink several times a day. He continually has a need to quench his thirst. Just as the deer refreshes with a cool drink, we need to refresh ourselves in the love and wisdom of God.

When a deer goes to the brook for a drink, does it take a quick lap of water or does it stay until it’s thirst is quenched? Stay until thirst is quenched. Just as a quick lap of water isn’t going to satisfy the deer’s thirst, a quick encounter with God isn’t going to satisfy our desire for a close relationship. We need to spend time with God. Although there is a place for a quick encounter (reading just one verse, saying a quick prayer, etc.), when we are “panting” a quick encounter isn’t going to be enough. We need to delve into His Word and drink long to satisfy our need.

I challenge you to increase the time you spend with your Lord and Savior. If you normally only spend time with him on Sunday, Wednesday and every other Tuesday, try for once a day. If you only take a quick lap with just a quick prayer or one verse a day, increase it to twice a day. If you spend time with Him every morning, but not after that, then start joining Him every afternoon as well. Satisfy that desire deep in your soul for the Living God. Pant for God then quench that thirst by praising and worshiping His Holy Name!

Money-saving tip: Hunt or, better yet, find someone to hunt for you! You can save even more money if you process the deer, turkey, etc. yourself.

Health tip: Eat food that isn’t genetically modified (or at least as the closest you can get it to not being genetically modified) or with added hormones or antibiotics. Whatever is in the food is going to go into your system and could have dire consequences after years of build-up or even after one time. You can easily replace venison for beef in your recipes.

Venison Gravy over Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

8 potatoes, peeled & cubed 1/4 cup butter 1 cup milk

1 lb ground venison 1 small onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup flour 4 cups beef broth

Any combination of spices you like

Peel and cube potatoes. Put in large pan and cover with cold water. Boil until soft (while boiling, move onto making the gravy). Drain. Add butter, milk, and a dash of salt. Mash. Add more milk if desired.

Brown venison, onions, and garlic with salt and pepper and whatever other spices you enjoy. Push off to one side of the pan and melt butter. Stir in flour and cook for about 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in broth. Stir everything together. Let simmer for at least 5 minutes to combine flavors.

Serve gravy over mashed potatoes. Serve a vegetable alongside.

You can easily use any ground, cubed or shredded meat. Just change beef broth to chicken broth if using turkey or chicken.

Chocolate Pudding

3 cups milk 1/3 cup cornstarch

2/3 cup sugar 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

dash of salt 3 tbsp butter

1 tsp vanilla

In a two-quart sauce pan combine the cornstarch, sugar, cocoa, and salt. Mix very well. Gradually add the milk, whisking it in until the mixture is smooth. Heat the pan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Bring the pudding to a full rolling boil. Boil and stir for one minute. Remove from heat. Stir in the butter and vanilla. The pudding will thicken as it cools. You can pour the pudding into a pretty serving dish or small individual cups. Store in refridgerator.

serves 6

The End of Proverb for the Day

I have truly enjoyed choosing a proverb (or two) every day to share with everyone, but I won't be continuing it. It was really hard to find time to get on the computer everyday and post. As much as I enjoyed not only sharing with you, but digging into His Word, I was putting my family on the back burner every morning just so I could post and I can't keep doing that. I am going to continue reading a chapter a day in Proverbs because it is true that God's Word is living and He continually shows me something new. I encourage you to do the same. If you weren't reading a chapter a day with me during last month, try it this month and the next and the next. You will be amazed at the wisdom you glean.