Thursday, May 29, 2014

TBT repost of Dash Between The Years



 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt. 5:16 KJV  


I am re-posting this for TBT because it is a good reminder that we need to make the most of our lives and to live for God. We need to be the vessel that God's light shines through to the world around us. Happy TBT


Thursday, July 16, 2009

Dash between the years

I heard more than once from our pastor friend that on our headstone there will be the year we are born, then a dash, and then the year we die. That small dash between the years represents our life. It is such a small thing that represents all that we are and have done. This got me to thinking what will that dash represent for me? What will I have accomplished and how will I be remembered.

I want to be remembered for being a good wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, mother in law, and friend. But most of all I want to be remembered for being kind, compassionate,loving, and above all else as an obedient, loving, follower of Jesus. I don't want to be remembered for the things I have or for being famous, but for being a person that loved God and my family and did good for others. What really is a better legacy than to leave with the people you love the knowledge of your love for God and your love for them.

I want to live life where I can serve God and others. I want to give love to as many people as I can and make their lives better. I want to tell all I meet about my God. I want, in every part of my life, to glorify God. I want to share and spend time with my husband and family and make good memories with them.

At church, Westside Family Church, our new series is on Treasure Hunt and what treasure do we hunt for, is it stuff or God. I want my life to be a hunt for the treasures of God and heaven and not stuff. The verses we studied were Matt.6:19-20 (19)Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (20)But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.(NIV)I want, when people think of me, to know that I was on a hunt for heavenly treasures through out my life, treasures I willing shared with all.

Here are some of my quotes I have made into bookmarks:

MEMORIES TAKE A MOMENT TO CREATE AND A LIFE TIME TO ENJOY

REMEMBER WHEN ONLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU SPEND TIME WITH EACH OTHER

WHAT IS A LEGACY? SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU RICH AND FAMOUS OR SOMETHING I CAN LEAVE TO YOU TO REMEMBER THAT I WAS HERE AND I LOVED YOU

GO THROUGH LIFE MAKING SURE YOU TOUCH THOSE AROUND YOU IN A POSITIVE WAY

STRIVE TO BE KNOWN NOT JUST FOR HOW YOU LIVE BUT ALSO FOR HOW YOU GIVE

MAKE SURE WHEN PEOPLE SEE YOU THEY SEE CHRIST


copyright 2009

Let us all take time to make that dash between the years stand for a life well lived loving, giving, and sharing but most of all serving and glorifying GOD!

Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day In Our Family

WWI Museum trench warfare
Today is Mon. May 26, 2014 and I am writing here and able to because of the sacrifices our men and women in the service have made. We on this day and everyday want to remember and thank the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces to keep us safe and free.  We will also go this day to the cemeteries to remember our loved ones who have died and put flowers on the graves. We will have family cookouts and picnics and play at the pool or lake but while doing all this we must and should honor those who served because if they had not been willing to put their life on the line for us we might not have the freedom to enjoy this day like we do. Our family has had someone who has  served in all the wars starting with the Rev. War.  It is an honor for me to pay tribute and thank them for their sacrifice.
Here are a few of the men from our family that has served. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE AND ARE SERVING IN THE MILITARY!





















Thursday, May 22, 2014

TBT The Beauty of God's Hands

It is raining here this morning as I write this and I was thinking about what to use as my throwback Thursday post. I then remembered the post about the beauty of god's hands and decided on it because of the pictures of the sunset with the storm clouds that we took. since I wrote that post I have taken a few other pictures of nature that I want to include in this post because the beauty of God's hands are all around us so here they are.










TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2009


The beauty of God's hands


Ps.19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands."(KJV) 


Have you ever just sat and watched a sunset or sunrise? The beauty of it, like in the two pictures above that we took of a sunset in the summer of 2007, is breath taking. How many times did you watch a deer or bird or sit by a stream and think about God's creation. King David said it well in the Psalms verse above. We so often take God's handi-work for granted. We rush through our lives never slowing down to take time to appreciate nature around us and all that God has made. When I sit in my wheelchair out in the trees along a stream on one of our favorite trails I don't think about why I am in a wheelchair but I think and meditate on God's wonderful creations. It is peaceful and beautiful there and I could sit for a long time praising God and feeling close to God. Take time to see what God has made. Make time to watch a sunset or sunrise and then praise God for all He has made and done. We as Christians need to slow down and appreciate God. God loves to hear our praises and our worshiping. Think about and Thank God for His wonderful works.
Ps. 8:1 "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens."(NIV)

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

No Walking but Reading and Crocheting

I haven't talk about my getting ready to walk in the Walk for MG but that is because I wasn't able to get to the walk. My walking to get ready for it was stopped due to having trouble with my hip. I did make a little over a mile walk before I had to stop but then for last few weeks I haven't been able to so there is always next year or another walk for a cause to do. I am not going to get discouraged in fact I was happy to get to do the walking that I could before it start slipping out of place and causing me pain. It will get better again and I can get back to walking and exercising. Until then I hope to get a lot of reading and crocheting done. I am crocheting small items so that the heat from the yarn isn't to bad. I have many projects to try and so it is exciting to do the patterns and try new designs of my own. I am also trying to catch up on some of the reading I want to get done and I have just about finished two more books and started 3 more. Always have a book on hand to read.


I have just finished a review of a cookbook that I am so glad to have. I love cooking and baking but nothing to adventurous but more than that I love to collect cookbooks and recipes. I have just started collecting family recipes that have memories as well as good food to put together into a book with pictures and stories on each recipe to give to my kids and grandkids. This has been a fun adventure and one that will be an on going work even after I give them the book. I hope that they will add to it and make their own memories and put their own stories in with recipes too.  I hope it will be a treasured book that they will enjoy for years.


Last this weekend is Memorial day and my husband and I will be going to the cemeteries. This year I want to not only put flowers on the graves but once again I want to take pictures of the headstones, make a map of the resting place and  cemetery and then put it into a cemetery book for my genealogy. I will tackle one cemetery at a time and make sure I get all family in that cemetery. I will let you know how this goes. Hopefully it won't rain but then again it is Memorial Day.


This is going to be a busy week and I am looking forward to getting some things done so hope you have a great week too. Please leave me a comment when you read this so 1. I know someone is reading this and 2. Let me know what you plan to do for Memorial Day this year or what you have done in the past.


Here is my review of the cookbook.


Kitchen Confidence by Kelsey Nixon A Yummy Addition To Your Cookbook Collection





 I loved this cookbook. I would give it 5 Stars for the recipes as well as the pictures and hints it includes.


The recipes included in this book are both elegant enough for a party and yet easy enough that you can do them for just the family dinner. I am impressed with the variety of recipes that are included in this book. Kelsey takes you on a mouth watering ride through her different recipes with beautifully done pictures of the dishes. She has included helpful  hints like pantry essentials and technique essentials that is very helpful to the seasoned cook as well as the beginner. Throughout the book is explains how to do different techniques in cooking such as stir fry and roasting that for those learning to cook will find really helpful. They are included by a recipe that is for using those techniques on a page by themselves so that if you know how to do these you can skip over that page and if you don't know how to say stir fry you have the instructions handy right with the recipe you might be wanting to try. This cookbook would be a great addition to any one's kitchen and cookbook collection but would be especially nice and helpful to the new cook or someone that is not as comfortable in a kitchen as others.


I have several recipes already picked out to try like her fried homemade pickles and charred corn salad. These both sound like a great addition to my memorial day picnic. The recipes range from breakfast to desserts and everything in between you might be wanting. If I could find anything that I would change it would be maybe add pictures of all the completed recipes but other than that I wouldn't change a thing. I have gotten so hungry just looking at the recipes and marking the ones I want to try, funny thing is I think I have marked almost everyone of her recipes.


This is a great cookbook and I loved reading in the beginning about Kelsey Nixon's passion for sharing her love of cooking to others. She is on a mission to help us all feel more comfortable in the kitchen through her cookbook and I think she has hit the mark with this one. I think I could pick anyone of the recipes, try it and be successful following her directions and guidance with little or no stress. I highly recommend you get a copy of Kitchen Confidence by Kelsey Nixon and start enjoying some good recipes.


If you want more information about Kelsey Nixon and her cookbook you should check out these:


 More Info


 "I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."

Thursday, May 15, 2014

TBT Courageous Faith repost

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Courageous Faith

The last example of faith I want to look at is a courageous faith in God. This example of courageous faith can be found when we look at Daniel who because of his obedience and faith in God he is put into a lions den. Daniel has favor with King Darius and he is going to appoint him chief overseer of the whole kingdom and the other leaders decide they have to find away to get rid of Daniel. They could find no wrong with him so they decided to use his faith in God against him. They get the King to order a decree that no one in the kingdom can pray to anyone but the King or they would be put in the lions den. When Daniel heard this he still went three times a day with the window open and looking to Jerusalem and prayed to God just like he always did. Daniel was not afraid to stand up for his faith in God and not for his own safety to just go along with the decree. The other leaders knew that Daniel had that strong of faith in God and would not even for safety sake go along with the decree which says a lot about Daniel’s witness and his faith. Dan. 6: 3-9 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. 4Then 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. 5Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. 6Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. 7All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.”(KJV) As soon as they saw Daniel praying they brought him before the king and the king could not get out of the decree he made but he was upset that he had to put him in the lions den. The king tries all day to think of a way but he couldn’t so he had Daniel brought and he put him in the lions den and sealed and then said to Daniel your God will protect you. So even the king understood Daniels strong faith in God. Dan. 6:10-18 “10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. 14Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. 16Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.”(KJV) God closed the lion’s mouth and when the king came the next morning and opened up the den Daniel was fine. God had rewarded Daniel for his steadfast and courageous faith. The king proclaimed that all in his kingdom while he was king would worship this God of Daniel so Daniel’s faith that didn’t waiver but even in the face of death was strong brought a king and his kingdom to God. Dan 6:10-28 “19Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. 24And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. 25Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”(KJV)We need to have a courageous faith like Daniel and not be afraid even when it isn’t popular in the world or our families to believe and have faith in God. God will reward and protect us just like he did Daniel and the world and our families will have a witness of God and his faithfulness to us also. Never let fear come between us and God.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

TBT Continue with Simple Faith in Action repost



For this throwback Thursday I am continuing with the posts from the past on Faith. This is about having Faith and putting it into action. Happy Thursday


Wednesday, January 14, 2009


Simple Faith in Action

Two more examples of faith is when a ruler tells Jesus his daughter is dead but that if Jesus would just come and lay his hands on her she would live again and Jesus followed him and as they were going there in the crowd was a woman who was sick for many years and she knew if she could just touch Jesus’ garment she would be healed and when He passed the woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and Jesus knowing this had happened turned and told her that her faith had made her whole. Matt. 9:18-25 18 “While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 23And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose” (KJV) These two people had a faith that was simply knowing that Jesus was who He said He was and they knew they just had to ask or do and it would happen plain and simple they were confident that Jesus could help them. What a faith to have to just simply know with out question that God can do what is needed but not stopping there to be bold enough to then just put into action that faith expecting the miracle to happen. Because they believed that Jesus could and would help them then because of this faith it happened. So many times we think we can’t ask God for things or if we do ask then we never believe it really will happen so we limit God by not asking or believing. We need to be like the ruler and the woman in the crowd and believe, ask and know that God will. We have at our church a sign that say Expect a Miracle. It is a reminder not to just ask for a miracle but expect it to happen too. We need to have faith and act on it knowing that if it’s God’s will it will happen. Next time you pray for someone or yourself remember to not only believe in God’s ability but have faith he will take care of your or the one you pray for. Expect and answer and Expect a miracle.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Book Review 5 + Stars to Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick








Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick is a must read for anyone, but especially for everyone that has ever doubted themselves, questioned if they are worthy, wondered if God really had a purpose for them, or had problems with low self esteem. Steven Furtick takes us through steps to overcome these feelings and how to quiet the voice or as he calls it the chatterbox in our head that tells us we can't or we aren't good enough and not worthy. This book looks at scriptures and leads us in ways to crash the chatterbox in our minds.


I loved this book. It is a book that really can change your life. I would recommend this book to everyone. I think it is a must read for everyone that has had these doubts but also for those who know someone who deals with low self esteem and doubts. I think everyone at one time or another had thought these things about I can't, I am not good enough, I am not worthy, ect. its normal at one time or another to feel this way but Steven Furtick in this book helps us look at how we don't have to believe or even listen to these thoughts and feelings. He doesn't just tell us to stop listening but shows us how to. He uses some of his own experiences to demonstrate how he too has dealt with these thoughts and feelings and shares what God has shown him to help him to realize these thoughts are not true. He gives us Bible verses to use to help us too but more than that he assures us that these thoughts of unworthiness are untrue. I can not say enough good things about this book and can not stress enough how it can help you in your daily life as well as your walk with God. I plan on reading this one over and over again and share it with others.


One of the quotes from the book that really spoke to me was, " But insecurity is much more than an extreme lack of confidence. In some ways insecurity is the ultimate insult to God. Because when we allow insecurity to override God's purpose in our lives, we're implying that He didn't quit get the job done when He put us together."pg 23 Ouch that really hit home for me to think every time I think I can't or I am not good enough I am insulting God.


"Condemnation reminds us of our wrongs by showing us our shame, but the Spirit convicts us of our sin by reminding us of our righteousness in Christ". pg 153 Wow
 
Last one that really struck home though the whole book did, "If you are a believer who hopes to accomplish the will of God for your live- and go to the next level spiritually- you have to defy the inertia of internal discouragement to get there.
you cant let the chatter stop you. You have to keep rolling . And God says you can." pg 168-169
Awesome Keep rolling God says you can says it all if God believes in me then I should too.


This book is great for a Bible Study or Small Group and Steven Furtick has included questions in the back to help in your study.


I hope you will go and read this book and us it to learn to listen to God's voice over all others, it will help you in your Christian walk and life.


If you would like to learn more about the book and author here are some sites to check out:
Website




 "I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."

Thursday, May 1, 2014

TBT Faith Like Job




For Throwback Thursday I am continuing with past post group on faith. This TBT post is on Job and his faith in God. Faith in times of trouble, never giving into despair always trusting in God and His perfect plan.

Saturday, January 10, 2009


Job a faithful Servant


Job's faithfulness to God

We all remember Job. The people in the world were wicked and full of sin and Satan says to God that he is running around the world and the people are following him not God and God says have you considered my servant Job. Job 1:6-12 6 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.”(KJV)
Job was so faithful to God that God told Satan that it wouldn’t matter what happened Job would still be faithful to him. This means that we all should strive to be like Job that our faith is so strong that no matter what comes our way we stay faithful to God. Job lost his family, his wealth, his health and still he was faithful. Even his wife and so called friends told him to curse God and he refused to. God knew Job would stay faithful and that is why he allowed this all to happen. Sometimes, today even, people see someone going through tough times or a sickness and they say to them you better get things straightened out with God because you must have made God really mad at you, just like Job’s friends told him. Maybe God is just using that person to touch others by their faithfulness to him through trouble. When you become like Job’s friends then you show your lack of faith when you believe that God is out to get you is the only reason that trouble is there. God didn’t forget Job but trusted him to stay faithful. Because of Job’s steadfast faithfulness God gave Job more than what he had lost. Job 42:10 “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”(KJV) What a testimony that 1. Job was so faithful to God that God trusted him to be tried by Satan, 2. That all through the trials Job was steadfast in his faith to God even when his friends tried to get him to curse God, 3. Job even through all his troubles obeyed and prayed for his friends and 4. Because of Job’s faithfulness God rewarded him. God is always a just and loving God and he rewards our faithfulness. I hope that the next time there is a bump in the road that we like Job will be steadfast in our faith and trust in God. Let us be good uplifting friends helping those around us to be strong in their faith too and not be like Job’s friends and be more of a hindrance than a help. Let us be faithful to God so that God can say of us have you considered my servant.