Christmas Day Sermon

I forgot my normal recording device for my husband's sermon on Christmas day. Someone else was kind enough to record it for me, but we had difficulty getting it in the right format for me to post. I am able to post it to Facebook, but Blogger won't allow me to post it. You can listen to it here if you desire.

Purple Monday Sale!

Merry Christmas!

Throw Back Thursday

The topic of trusting God in hard circumstances has once again become a matter of discussion in our home as well as the topic of raising our girls to be keepers of the home. This old post hits on both topics.

Trusting God

Upcoming Lilla Rose Sale!

www.lillarose.biz/darcyc

Spirit of Christmas

Throw Back Thursday

Something I think about often--Not My Will

Kinsman Redeemer

12-11-16 Sermon

Throw Back Thursday

As Christmas approaches most of us are thinking about gift giving and how to give gifts frugally. I wanted to look back at

Eight Gifts that do not cost a cent

The Blood

12-4-16 Sermon

Blessings

It has been a long time since I've heard this song, but another blogger shared it  recently and I was reminded of the truth in it. I know many people who also need to be reminded of God's mercies in disguise.

LET'S GET REAL: Words... What a Powerful Tool

LET'S GET REAL: Words... What a Powerful Tool: Death and life are in the power of the tongue ~Proverbs 18:21a      Words are so very powerful.  They can be used to bring comfor...

Led by the Spirit

Romans 8:14 KJV

 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

"led by the Spirit of God"

What exactly does it mean to be "led by the Spirit of God"?

I was reading a book that spoke about this passage. The author quoted it from The Message: "God's Spirit beckons."

God beckons us to follow Him. His Spirit leads us to where He would have us-to the plans He has for us.

Unfortunately, how many of us do not truly follow where He leads? Isn't it much easier to stay where it feels safe, comfortable, known? Many times I have had people tell me that "God gave us brains for a reason. We must use them."; however, many times where God is leading us doesn't make sense to our "brains".

I am challenging myself today to step out of my comfort zone and follow where God leads. I need to stop putting myself and my abilities in a box and know that if God leads, He will provide whatever I need to go.

Remember,

Throwback Thursday

As I was looking through old posts, I was reminded of how a simple act of kindness can do so much. As we start the month of December today, my family is focusing on Random Acts of Kindness. Christ came to earth in the ultimate act of kindness and we could do no more than to pass on that kindness to those around us whether they be family, friends, or strangers.

One Glass of Milk

I challenge you to focus on doing some random acts of kindness this month. Share God's love with others!

God is Good!

Psalms 107:1-9 KJV

1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. 4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. 5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. 8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

God is good! He hears us when we cry out to Him. He redeems us from our distresses. We must tell others of His goodness.

None Righteous

Transformation of the Heart

Lilla Rose Black Friday Sale!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Repentance before Judgement

11-20-16 Sermon

Guidelines for Life

1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 KJV

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

You can learn much by knowing those who are over you. You need to help others by calling out errors, helping those who are poor or weak and making sure to stop evil from escalating. Above all, be ever thankful and always be in prayer.

Shine for Jesus

Do All in Jesus' Name

Colossians 3:12-17 KJV

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

We are to put on mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness, charity, peace and thankfulness. Dwell (live) in God's wisdom and teach that to others. Sing songs of praise to God and do all things in Christ's name. Follow His example, strive to live like Him and bet thankful for an example to live by.

Worthy to be Praised!

Isaiah 12:2-6 KJV

2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

God is holy and worthy to be praised! He has done many great and excellent things in my life and I will praise Him and give Him honor and glory. I will talk of His doings and shout of His excellence.

Redeeming Childbirth

Redeeming Childbirth by Angie Tolpin

I recently read, Redeeming Childbirth by Angie Tolpin. Although I am currently experiencing my 12th pregnancy, I still was quite intrigued by this book. Also, even though this book is meant to be about childbirth, there were things mentioned that can pertain to all aspects of life.

"We are a blessed nation and people, but we need perspective. The prosperity we enjoy has led to an entitlement mentality that has crept into our Christian homes and churches. This attitude of selfish indulgence breeds ideas in us that we shouldn't have to experience hardships or trials in life. We'll go to great lengths to avoid the consequences of our choices and unwittingly only delay God's law of sowing and reaping. Sadly, by dodging rather than engaging in these challenges, we cripple ourselves because we fail to learn this life lesson of cause and effect. This failure to grow and learn makes us less prepared to tackle the bigger trials in life that will undoubtedly come." (11)

While this isn't any new information, it just struck me when I read this. I think because I read this book during this election season, it was more "in my face" than if I would have read it at any other time.

Anyone who knows me knows that I truly believe children are a gift from God. While I hear many Christians say they believe the same thing, their actions don't always support that saying.

"If we don't view life as a sacred gift, then we won't want children simply because we'll focus on the sacrifices (our bodies, sleep, and money) we would have to make based on selfish and worldly perspectives. When birth is under attack, life is under attack. It is like any slippery slope, and we the church need to keep our armor heavily outfitted in this battle so we can "extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one," (Eph. 6:16, NIV)" (39) 

Another aspect that Mrs. Tolpin writes about is something that my husband and I have been saying for years.

"Satan does not want strong Christian couples having babies and raising them for the glory of God. The reality is that he will try his best to discourage you and make your experience one that you are not willing to experience again in order to bring forth life.

If we acknowledge this challenge and we proclaim the Holy Scriptures as we fight the good fight to live in faith and not fear we can overcome his attacks on the family and on marriage today. We can choose to allow God to redeem our hard situations for His good." (118)

She also addresses how we are told we should expect hardships. If we should expect them, why would we try to avoid them?

"As Christians, we are warned and encouraged to be prepared mentally for trials, to expect persecution for our faith. "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed," (1 Peter 4:12, 13, NIV, emphasis mine). We should not expect life to be easy or try to avoid it when it is hard, but instead look at the opportunity to learn more bout God, more about what Jesus endured for us. When we experience trials and pain, it will create in us a yearning for our heavenly home." (163)

There is a lot more in this book then just these topics that I addressed here, which is why I highly suggest women read this book whether they are currently pregnant or not. I truly believe that any woman will find encouragement and wisdom from Angie Tolpin's book.

Not Ashamed

Sermon from 11-13-16

Take Comfort

2 Corinthians 4:15-18 KJV

15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We will have hard days and hard times in life, but we can take comfort knowing that even though it is hard, it is there for good. We may not see or understand how it is good, but everything shapes us and changes us into who God desires us to be. It might be tough here on earth, but the eternal rewards are worth it!

Seek Peace

Thank You, Veterans!

Throw Back Thursday-recipe update

Once again I was looking through old recipes and last week I decided to try one I hadn't done in a while.

Apple Cobbler

Below are the changes I made to fit what I had in my home, our new dietary restrictions, and a short time frame.

Apple Cobbler

Ingredients:
1 quart homemade canned apple pie filling         1/2 cup sugar
3 cups garbanzo bean flour                                 2 tbsp baking powder
1 cup tapioca starch                                             1 tbsp guar gum
2 tsp salt                                                               2 tbsp sugar
1 cup coconut oil                                                  1/4 cup milk
cinnamon/sugar mixture

Pour canned apple pie filling into a 9x13 pan.

Mix flours, guar gum, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in coconut oil. Add milk. Drop by spoonfuls to make "biscuits" on top of apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.



My family liked this apple cobbler better than the quick apple cobbler that I have been known to make lately and they asked me to make it again soon.

Goodness

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 KJV

4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Having a relationship with Christ only brings good! While it might not be good as the world sees it, there is goodness in all. God is faithful and continues to call us into fellowship with Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Agenda 2

Just as last week, our church watched a movie during Sunday School and Service. This week we watched Agenda 2. I highly suggest watching the entire movie, but here is a trailer to give you an idea of what it is about.

Great God

Psalms 95:1-7 KJV 

1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. 5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

Great is our God and worthy to be praised! 

Great Faith, Great Trouble

Throw Back Thursday

It seems like I am hearing of more and more people who are in need financially. My heart breaks for them and I would love to just give them the money they need to help them out of their situation, but that isn't possible for me at this time since we are living on a tight budget ourselves. However, even if you are living on a tight budget yourself, there are still ways you can help a family in need. I was glad to run across Fulfilling Needs on a Budget. This is a post I wrote four years ago and it still rings true today.

I encourage you to read it and see how you may be of help to a family in need near you.

A Day With God

Psalms 84:1-12 KJV

 <> How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. 4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. 6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. 8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. 9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. 10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

We are blessed when we draw close to God. We are blessed when we lean on Him for our strength. He will withhold no good thing from us if we follow His commands and walk uprightly.

As much as the world thinks money and fame is what makes us happy, I would much rather be in God's presence without those things. God is more than they.

Agenda

The elders of our church decided it would be good to show the movie Agenda. We watched part of it during the Sunday School hour and then the rest of it during service time.

AGENDA: Grinding America Down (Trailer) AgendaDocumentary.com from Copybook Heading Productions LLC on Vimeo.

Cry Out to Him

Psalms 18:6 KJV

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

God hears you regardless of where you are or where He is. He loves you enough to pay attention and listen.

We must cry out to Him for His strength and power. We should not only cry out in distress, but also glory and thanksgiving.

Cry out to Jesus today!

The Correct Way to Use a Seam Ripper

Wow!



My mind was just blown!



I learned that I have been using a seam ripper WRONG for all these years!



In case you are like me, I wanted to show you the CORRECT way to use a seam ripper.



I see this saving me LOTS of time!

The Anchor That Holds

Throw Back Thursday

I wanted to share something with you that I needed to read again myself.

Painting My Heart

Never Leave

Psalms 31:1

<> In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Even when the world seems against you, follow God. Sometimes even close friends and family will be against you, but God will never leave you. He will strengthen you. He will sustain you. He will redeem you.

Lord, help us to focus and rely on You. May we shut out what others are saying and focus only on You and YOur ways. May You fight our battles for us as we rest in Your presence.

Contentment

Share Regardless

Acts 13:44-52 KJV 

44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. 51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

God tells us that when we preach the truth, we WILL receive persecution. People are not rejecting us, but are they are rejecting the Word. We shouldn't stress about it; we should shake the dust from our feet and move on.

I know that often I take it personally, but I need to stop doing that. When people reject God's truth, then I need to stop trying to force it upon them and just move on. It may be that I have planted a seed or watered the seed. It isn't my job to make the seed grow.

Lord, help me continue to share Your Word with others. Help me put my own jealousies aside and just continue sharing You.

Choosing Joy

Encouraging Words

Acts 13:15-41 KJV

15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. 16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. 17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. 18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. 19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. 20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: 24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. 26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. 27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. 28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. 29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. 30 But God raised him from the dead: 31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. 32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. 35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: 37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. 38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; 41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

You can take encouragement from these verses! God sent Christ, who had no sin, to die for your sins so that we may be saved! What else matters in this life?

We need to stop focusing on our "problems" and instead focus on Christ's great sacrifice for us.

Lord, may we have the proper perspective in life. I pray we will focus on Your gift and not on our "problems". Amen.

Throw Back Thursday

Marriage has been on my mind this week with celebrating our anniversary on Monday and knowing many couples who are having difficulties in their marriages. I thought it only fitting to throw back to a marriage post.

The Ten Commandments of Marriage

Saying Yes to One Thing Means Saying No to Something Else

I have been behind on catching up with some old emails. I finally had time to try to get caught up. The following are two devotionals that my mother sent me. How appropriate that I read them both on the same day because they go together.

I have learned (but needed to be reminded) that saying yes to one thing usually means I am saying no to something else. Sometimes, what I said no to is what I should have said yes to.

I pray you would read and ponder these thoughts shared by Pastor Rick Warren.

Learn to Pause and Pray Before Adding to Your Schedule

You Can Accomplish More By Doing Less

Partiality

Celebrating 18 Years Together!

It is sad that I had to go back to our last anniversary
to get a picture of us together! I'll have to make a
better effort to take more pictures!

Today, my husband and I are celebrating 18 years of marriage! While it hasn't always been easy, I wouldn't have wanted to endure them with anyone else. Even now, we wonder at the miracle that God worked by bringing us together and guiding us through the many difficult times. To say that it has always been easy or fun would be a lie. We had many tough times, and even some times where we would have divorced if we hadn't been so stubborn to stick to our statements that divorce wasn't an option, but God was gracious and brought us through those times stronger than ever.

As I ponder over how much we both have changed in the past 18 years, I have to say that it was only by God's grace that we have become the people we are today and pray that God continues to mold us and shape us into who He would have us be.

I am linking to some previous posts that I have written on our anniversaries because what they say still ring true.

17 Reasons I Love My Husband

14 Things I’ve Learned During 14 Years of Marriage

Pray for Marriage

I was awoken last night just after having a dream where I was standing in the road trying to warn people of danger ahead. I was trying to get them to slow down and be careful through the treacherous road that laid before them. When I woke, I asked God of what danger I was warning people. Immediately, a few couples came to mind. These couples are all having difficulties in their marriages.

Marriage is a sacred union. Most people enter marriage with the traditional wedding vows which are:

Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?

Even if couples vary from the above vows, they hold many of the same thoughts. Let's look at these vows.

"Love him"-Love is a choice which is why you promise to do it. If it was just a feeling you could fall in and out of, there isn't any way you could promise to always do it. It isn't always going to be easy, but you need to make the choice to love your spouse.

"honor him"-Again, choosing to honor isn't always going to be easy, but you promise to do it on your wedding day. How does honor look? Well, it could be by not saying negative things about your spouse to others. It could be choosing his likes over your own. It definitely is submitting to his authority and God-given role in your marriage.

"for better or worse"-Life isn't always going to be a breeze and your marriage won't survive if you only love and honor in the best of times. Again, those are choices that you have to make and make them even when times are tough. The tough times won't always stay. In fact, the tough times don't seem so tough when you do choose to love and honor and work together as a team.

"for richer or poorer, in sickness and health"- Again, life isn't always going to be easy, but we need to stand with our spouses. We need to be there for them in the good and bad times. It is easier to endure trials with the support and love of another person. "For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."~Ecclesiastes 4:10

"forsaking all others, be faithful only to him"-Most people only think of this in terms of adultery, but it is much more than just a physical relationship with someone other than your spouse. There is what people call emotional adultery where you seek comfort or emotional intimacy with someone other than your spouse. Also, there doesn't necessarily need to be a physical relationship as just talking with someone else and fantasizing about someone else can be just as detrimental.

In addition to these vows, most people begin their marriages with a wedding where they stand in a church and vow before God to keep these vows. When you do that, you are entering a covenant with God so you aren't just promising your spouse, but God as well.

Satan hates anything that God loves which means that he hates marriage and is going to do all that he can to destroy it. He will use any of the areas mentioned above to attack. We need to be in constant prayer for not only our marriages, but the marriages of those around us. We need to stand and fight the attacks of the devil and we know that defeating him can only be done in the strength of Christ.

Please join me today praying for your marriage, praying for the marriages of your friends and
families, praying for the marriages of those who follow this blog, and for marriages in general. If you know of people who are struggling in their marriages, pray for them. If you know people who seem to have a strong marriage, still pray as they may not actually have a strong marriage or they may have some rough roads ahead. Pray that couples will lean on Christ for strength and seek to draw closer together by drawing closer to Him.

God tells us that where two or three are gathered, He will be in the midst of them. Let us join together and pray!

Dear Heavenly Father, You created the institute of marriage and made it holy. I pray for all couples. I pray they seek You personally and seek Your strength and wisdom to help them in their marriages. I pray they will make You the center of their marriages. I pray they love one another. I pray wives honor their husbands. I pray they endure through the hard times as much as they enjoy the good times. I pray for faithfulness not only to their spouses physically and emotionally, but also faithfulness to You. I pray for openness of feelings and thoughts. I pray for unity in each marriage. I pray for communication. I pray for intimacy-both physical and emotional. I pray for my own marriage in all these areas as well. Lord, may You strengthen and encourage couples in their walk with You and each other. May You be glorified in relationships that are healed and restored. I also pray that if we can be of help in any way to the marriages around us that You would show us how best to do that. Help us be the people who stand and warn others of the dangers ahead. Help us know how to advise them through the potholes they will encounter. You are a good and faithful God who only desires the best for His children and You love each and every one of us. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Faith

Throw Back Thursday

I was looking through old posts and came across some goodies.

Delicious Gluten Free Pizza is one that caught my eye because my girls have been asking for pizza and I had actually forgotten about this recipe. It might be something I pull out for next week.

Lemon Bars are a favorite among a few people in our home. We have some lemons that need to be used up, so maybe we'll make these for a potluck.

Homemade yogurt is a recipe that I actually don't make that way anymore. It isn't that that way wasn't good, but I needed to remove the sugar from the original recipe and just make it easier overall. Now, I don't add the gelatin and I skip the sugar. After the yogurt is made, I take some out for myself and my youngest (she can't have sugar) and then I add sugar to what is left for everyone else and I sweeten ours with the sweeteners that are better for us.

I hope you are enjoying looking back at some of my older posts just like I am!

Submission Again

Kindness

My Prayer Today . . .

It is well (the story behind the famous hymn) performed by Colin Battersby

When I first heard the story behind the penning of this song, I was immediately drawn to the fact that even amidst hardships, we can still be content with the life God has given us.



Today, a friend and I were talking about the hard things in our lives and discussing how we know God is in control and can answer our prayers, but it is still hard at time to not try to figure it out for ourselves. On the way home from our visit, this song came on the radio. Needless to say, I cried through the entire song.



I knew I wanted to post the song and the story. I found this version on YouTube which incorporates the song and the story and even gives a little more information on Spafford that I had never heard before.



Please take some time to watch and listen and may God speak to your heart as you do.



God bless.

Throw Back Thursday

This post from last year actually popped up on my personal facebook feed today. I feel it is fitting to share again.

If God Be For Us

False Doctrines

10-2-16 Sermon

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month

My thoughts and prayers are with anyone who has endured a pregnancy loss or the loss of a baby. Unfortunately, I know the deep sense of loss and the emotional pain involved myself.

Pastor Appreciation

Here are some links to ideas for Pastor Appreciation Month:

31 Day Prayer Calendar for praying for your pastor

Activities for Pastor Appreciation Month

How to pray for your pastor

Serving your pastor

10 Cents and a 1/2 Hour

My girls have been asking me to get out the fall/winter clothes for a couple of weeks. Well, I finally decided that since it wasn't going to be in the 80's again, we would start going through the boxes.

I was pleased to find that almost everyone had enough in their needed size to outfit them for fall/winter. My son needed pajamas, but I was able to get some at the consignment shop and even was able to pay for them with my credit. My second oldest is in need of some shirts, but has enough to get her through until we find some. My 5 year-old was another story.

This girl some how is attracted to a special kind of dirt that doesn't like to come out of clothes. I can wash everyone else's clothes that are covered in dirt and it will come out, but her clothes remained stained no matter how many different types of stain removal I use.

In fact, I ended up getting rid of 5 of her skirts and 7 shirts (I had more shirts for her because of the staining problems)! Considering we only keep 7 casual outfits per person, that is a large percentage of her clothes! Two of the skirts were skirts I made for her at the beginning of spring. (edited to add--only 2 nights after she got out the fall/winter clothes, she came to me with a large hole in one of her pajamas! Praise God that we have more pajamas in her size waiting in the tote!).

After going through the tote filled with her size clothing, she only had 4 outfits. We decided that a couple of outfits could be passed down from an older sister so that left her in need of only 1 more outfit. While I am sure I could get her a skirt using credit at the consignment store, I also knew that I have two 5 shelf bookshelves filled with material so I might as well make her one. She had about a dozen shirts in her size that didn't match anything else and weren't stained so I just looked for material that would match a couple of those shirts. I figured I might as well go with a heavy-duty material to withstand her abuse. I found a brown corduroy with just enough to make a skirt for her. In about a 1/2 hour, I had it cut and sewn.

We have been blessed by a number of people who have given us fabric to use. In fact, I haven't had to purchase material in at least 3 years! In addition, the elastic I used for this skirt was part of a large bag of new elastic that I purchased at the thrift store for only $2 and the thread was also given to us. My guess is that this skirt cost me about $ .10 and less than a 1/2 hour of my time!

I might get ambitious and try my hand at some shirts for my second oldest, but shirts take a bit longer to make so we'll see how much extra time I have. I do have lots of sewing ideas in the works for Christmas gifts already.

I would love to hear about any sewing projects you have done recently, are in the middle of completing, or are planning on doing!

A Weak Mother

I read an article in one of my magazines that I thought was good enough to share. The article was reprinted in the magazine (with permission of course) from a site called, Desiring God.

Here is the portion that really struck me, but go to Desiring God to read the entire article-A Weak Mother is a Good Mother.

"This is so what I want: to know deep in my soul that a good mother is not one who bakes intricate treats, who schools a certain way, who manages her household within an inch of its life, or who has her children in a million wonderful activities. A good mother is one that acknowledges her need for the power of God to train and teach and change the hearts of her children.

The most important thing I can do for my children each day is to trust God and acknowledge my weakness, not rely on myself. He will take my meager offering and turn it into a miracle."

Throw Back Thursday

I was going through some old posts and came across How Do You Love Your Enemy. This really stuck out to me because I was just thinking about this person last week and still wondering if I had chosen the right path.

My life is definitely better since cutting off communication. I have lots less stress and anxiety. However, I don't know how she is doing. Has she come to know the Lord personally? I don't know and I'm not sure it matters if I know this side of heaven or not. While I do pray that she did come to a saving knowledge of Christ (or will in the future if she hasn't already), I still don't think it is my job to "make sure" she does. I have learned, however, that just because I "think" something, it doesn't mean that it is God's will for me. This is probably something that I will consider more in my life.

Busy

Just the other day, I was talking to a friend about one of the problems with our world is that we are too busy. We are too busy for the things that matter in life. We think that busyness means we are productive and worth something.

There is a major problem with that!

Many times we are busy with things that just don't matter. We are too busy with inconsequential things that we don't have time for the things that really matter-relationships.

This friend and I try to get together often just to talk, have tea, and share what is going on in our lives. We do this not only because we know someone is listening to us, but because we then know how best to pray for each other. As what happens too often, it had been a few weeks since we had been able to get together or even talk on the phone. When I said I was coming over, she asked if I had time to do it. My response, "I will make the time because it is needed."

We need to spend time in relationship with others. Being open and real with others helps us get through the tough times.

God created us for relationship. He wants to have a relationship with us, but He also wants us to have relationship with others.

Don't let your life get busy with things that don't matter.

Also, remember that just because something is a good thing doesn't mean that it is meant for you. Too many times we are too busy with "good things" that we miss out on the best things that God has for us.

Do you find yourself too busy? I would love for you to share your thoughts.

Qualifications

God Deserves Our Best

Count It All Joy

He Was Faithful

Daniel 6:3-5 KJV 

3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

I was led to read the story of Daniel and the lion's den this morning. When I opened my Bible, I wasn't expecting much as I have read and studied this story many times before, but as always, God surprised me. I shouldn't be surprised-

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ~ Hebrews 4:12

His Word became alive to me this morning and I was able to see something that I am sure I saw before, but it went deep in my soul this morning.

Daniel was a success. As I am sure many people know, there are those who get jealous of those whom experience success and instead of trying to become successful themselves, they try to tear down those who are. That is the case here.

Daniel was lifted to a position of authority in the kingdom and those under him didn't appreciate having to answer to an Israelite. They took it upon themselves to find a fault in him in which to use against him. But guess what? They couldn't find anything!

Oh, how I wish I could say the same thing! This is what bothers me the most about my life. People will look at my life and say that I'm a hypocrite because of such and such. Now, what they see may be a one time mistake in my life, or something that was true in the past but isn't anymore, or it may be something that I struggle with and am learning to have victory over, but that doesn't stop them from using it as a fault against me.

How I wish I could be like Daniel! Those men tried hard to find fault against him and had to make something up to catch him in a fault and even when they did that, it wasn't really a fault--He was faithful to God no matter what! That is as far from a fault that you can get.

My prayer is that I can live a life without fault before my God. I pray that even if others find fault within me that it be a "fault" like Daniel's and not really a fault at all. I pray that I am always faithful to my God and that no fault may be found in me.

Throw Back Thursday--Recipe updates

I was looking back over some of my old posts and came across two recipes that I had posted that we still use. However, we have made some adaptions to these recipes.

In the case of Cinnamon Roll Bread, I still use this recipe, but have changed my flour as we are now grain free. I now use 2 1/2 cups garbanzo bean flour, 1/2 cup tapioca flour or arrowroot powder, and then 1 tbsp of guar gum. We use this combination because we are able to get a 55 lb bag of garbanzo bean flour for between $35 and $37 through our local Amish store so it is the cheapest option. By adding some tapioca flour or arrowroot powder, it gives it more lift and decreases the bean flavor. We switched to guar gum not too long ago because I read that xanthan gum was derived from corn.

As for the Homemade tooth powder, I still will make it this way, however, sometimes I will add in a drop or two of peppermint essential oil. I have also flavored it with ground cinnamon and have even done away with all flavorings except for a drop or two of lemon essential oil. I like that we have a healthy option for cleaning our teeth and can adapt flavors to what we prefer.

I hope you have enjoyed looking back at some of my older posts and seeing how we still use them today!

Think on These Things

Philippians 4:4-8 KJV 

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

So often I allow myself to be burdened with what isn't going well in my life. I focus on what has gone wrong, is going wrong, or even what may go wrong. How wrong is that?!

I am to rejoice always-even when things go "wrong". I need to take everything to God in prayer and leave it at His feet. But most importantly, I need to focus on the good.

I need to focus on how much God has blessed me, how much He loves me, and how much He has always taken care of me. I need to think on truth and not lies. I need to think on what is pure instead of letting my mind wander into those dark waters.

Lately, I have been focusing on the wrong things. Join me today in focusing on the good, the true, the lovely.

• I am thankful for beautiful weather.
• I am thankful that two of my girls got deer during youth hunt.
• I am thankful for friends who even though it may be weeks between seeing each other, we know we are praying for each other everyday and that when we do get a chance to get together, it will be blessed.
• I am thankful for the ability to home school. It might not always be easy, but I love being with my children and seeing them grow not only in knowledge, but also in the Lord.
• I am thankful for my blog and my followers. I have always had a desire to write and this gives me an opportunity to do so and if I can help or encourage someone else along the way--what an added blessing!

Please share a few things you are thankful for today!

Trust

9-18-16 Sermon

Clarity vs. Trust

I heard the following story on the radio while on my way to go grocery shopping one day.

Mother Theresa

“When John Kavanaugh, the noted and famous ethicist, went to Calcutta, he was seeking Mother Teresa … and more. He went for three months to work at “the house of the dying” to find out how best he could spend the rest of his life.

When he met Mother Teresa, he asked her to pray for him. “What do you want me to pray for?” she replied. He then uttered the request he had carried thousands of miles: “Clarity. Pray that I have clarity.”

“No,” Mother Teresa answered, “I will not do that.” When he asked her why, she said, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.” When Kavanaugh said that she always seemed to have clarity, the very kind of clarity he was looking for, Mother Teresa laughed and said: “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.”

I often pray for clarity because I want to make sure that what I think God is telling me is actually what He is telling me. This puts it in a whole new perspective!

Do I not trust Him enough? Do I need to let go of my need of clarity? How about you? What are your thoughts?

In the Beginning

Still Keeping Busy

I just wanted to share another project that has been keeping me busy.

I make a new outfit for my children for their birthdays. My 5th born turns 10 today. She loves the colors yellow and blue and loves parrots so when she saw this material (see picture) in my stash, she knew she needed her outfit made from it. However, there wasn't enough material to make the dress pattern she picked out. She said that should would take a skirt from it and then I could just buy a shirt to match. Well, after cutting out the pieces for the shirt (just a simple ruffle skirt idea-no pattern needed), I realized that I should have enough material left for a peasant style shirt as well. I used the basic pattern and then added the ruffles to the sleeves and bottom of the shirt (per birthday girl's request). I had just enough material (there are a few scraps left that she asked one of her sisters to use to make a hair clip for her).

As you can see from the smile on her face, she loves it! I am by not means an expert seamstress, but my girls love to be able to receive a special outfit every year based on their choice of fabric and pattern and usually I do a decent enough job that it can be passed down for at least a few more girls.

Do you do anything special for your children on their birthdays? Do you sew at all? I would love to hear more about you in these areas!

Are You Busy?

Well, I thought I would start having time to get back to writing, but things just keep popping up to keep me busy. I'm not complaining, mind you. While I enjoy writing, all the things that are keeping me busy are good things.

What is keeping me busy right now is preserving food for the winter. A friend offered to let us pick apples off one of their well-producing trees. We filled 6 5-gallon pails and 2 bushel baskets full of apples! I was hoping to do applesauce with those on Monday, but another friend dropped off 2 boxes full of broccoli, 1 box of tomatoes, 1 box of sweet peppers, and more apples. Since the broccoli and tomatoes needed to be done immediately, we set to work on those and the applesauce waited until Tuesday. Of course, our own apples need to be picked and hopefully our own tomatoes turn soon so we can process those.

Keeping busy can be a good thing as long as you don't allow it to draw you away from time with your Lord or your family.

Are you busy?

Love Fulfills the Law

9-11-16 Sermon

Hard Heart

Throw Back Thursday

As I was looking through old posts, this one really caught my eye. How many times do we think we are living right only to realize that we have unconfessed sin in our lives that we try to mask as not really an issue?

Humble Me O Lord

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 24:11 & 12c

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain . . . and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

We must protect life from abortion! We can not stand idly by as millions of babies go to death. We must help end hunger. We can not stand by as children starve to death. We must fight chemical use and the poisoning of our food. We can not stand by as millions die from chemical use. We must save people from death!