Faux Friday

I've been on a low glycemic diet for several weeks now.  I decided to make something new and interesting yesterday. 

Sidenote:  I love cooking...in my opinion if you're going to prep food it should go into pretty dishes...makes me just a little bit happier!

So, I tried this Spanish Rice recipe.  Of course, white rice is NOT a low GI food...so...

...a little lean burger...onions and peppers...tomato/chilies...garlic...cumin...Worcestershire sauce...

...THEN, I added FUAX RICE...otherwise known as shredded cauliflower. 

It was awesome!  SOOOO delicious!

YUMMO!!

Okay, maybe not everyone thought so...but they ate it anyway.  Such is life. 

Our family motto:  Where HE leads me I will follow...What HE feeds me I will swallow!

I Heart Library Booksales!!

What Is A Book? 

A book is pages, pictures, and words; 

A book is animals, people, and birds.

A book is stories of queens and kings, 

Poems and songs - so many things!

Curled in a corner where I can hide, 

With a book I can journey far and wide.

Though it's only paper from end to end, 

A book is a very special friend. 

by Lora Dunetz

Soli Deo Gloria: The Unlikely Ones...

After studying on Acts 15 today, I was reminded how very prone I am to subconsciously add requirements to salvation.  There are certain important changes that do need to happen after salvation...but they have nothing to do with the power of God's saving grace.

Those baby Gentile believers were SO different from the Jewish believers..it was a leap out of the 'ole comfort zone to welcome them.  And we all like our comfort zones.  I cracked up today when I heard it compared to a city girl going camping...hahaha!  The Jews were really worrying needlessly though because when someone gains new life in Christ, they then have new desires.  The Holy Spirit changes our outlook.  2 Cor. 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Some Jews seemed to be missing a bigger point however...that faith in Christ is sufficient for salvation.  His sacrifice is undeserved, Acts 15:11, "We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus."...Jesus paid it all!

I think this has become a most twisted thought among people today..."God loves me in my sin (immorality, homosexuality, addictions, etc.), therefore, I do not need to change...everyone else needs to accept my lifestyle" seems to be their premise.  Rom. 5:8 does say, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." True, Christ loved us while we were sinners...but once we are that new creature...and the Holy Spirit dwells within...our desires dramatically change.  Romans 6:1-2, " What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" People can't have it both ways...if you are truly saved your life will reflect it.

We suddenly see our sin for what it is...It's anything we think, say or do that does not please God!  We find His standard in His Word.  And, oh how it breaks our hearts to grieve him.  1 Jn. 3:9, "Those who have been born into God's family do not make a practice of sinning, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they are children of God."

The more I ponder this...the more I have to ask myself...How am I limiting God's grace?  Who do I consider to be most unlikely to come to Christ?  Oh, Lord...help me see them with new eyes...with Your eyes.  I've written it several times here...hate the sin, not the sinner...

For nothing good have I 

Whereby Thy grace to claim; 

I’ll wash my garments white 

In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.

Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

by: Elvina M. Hall, 1865

More than fine!!

"More than fine, more than bent on getting by.
More than fine, more than just ok."  ~Switchfoot 

With news of Loverbrains trip being elongated...I needed an attitude change yesterday.  I took a page from the Jewish phylacteries idea...and carted verses around in my pockets, purse, etc.  I know verses like...2 Cor. 12:9, "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."...but I often don't "own it" in my attitude.  

Recently, I was deeply convicted by the following, "Do you believe and depend on your Lord so that He alone is sufficient for you in your present circumstances and need (Acts 14:35) Is He so sufficient to you that you do not even need to complain and seek sympathy and pity from others."

Now, at first I struggled against this teaching.  I believe that sharing our burdens is essential within churches.  Galatians 6:2, "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." But when I scrambled to look it up I realized that the same passage talks about not boasting and bearing your own share of burdens too.  

Then, as I was trotting along on the treadmill...the Switchfoot lyrics above came buzzing through my head. It made me think of how I become irritated by greetings among Christians.  We ask how the other is doing without really caring about the answer.  We don't have time...expect the answer to be "fine"...I need to slow down and take my time with my brothers and sisters.  

That being said...I also realize that in Christ I'm "more than fine...more than bent on getting by...I'm more than just OK!"  I'm not suggesting we should be annoying on this point.  It always makes me grit my teeth a bit when people answer, "Better than I deserve."  Although it's the truth it's sort of like "socking it to ya!"  The truth is I should be saying, "I'm great, blessed..." with a joyful (JOY FULL) demeanor.  Even though I'm missing Loverbrains terribly...I really tried to share my blessings through this trial.  He loves us...He is working hard...He will be home soon.  

God provides more than I need...God is more than enough for me.  Because I believe that is true...I was able to put a smile on my face and act out Eph. 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

 

Hodgepodgity Podgity!

 

1. Who taught you how to cook?

My Mom taught me to cook.  Then, she went back to work when my brother was learning to cook.  My Dad took over most of the cooking so he taught him to cook.  Therefore, as a newly married gal I would call the house for cooking advice and ask to speak to Mom...my brother would say, "But it's a cooking question...don't you want to talk to Dad??"  LOL...both are great cooks...and I still call often.  

2. Have you been told you think too much? Are too much of a perfectionist? Are too sensitive? Were they right?

Wasn't it Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, "Our strengths grow out of our weaknesses."  Yeah...I think it's a vice versa sort of situation.

3. As a child did you have a favorite blanket or toy? Tell about it.

I had lambie and silky blanket.  Lamby came from an older lady that lived in my parent's apartment building when I was born.  He came sitting on a plate of brownies.  Now he is smooshed flat and has one fadded blue eyeball.  The fuzz is worn off of his ears.  Silky blanket is a patchwork pinks quilt that my mother made (I think?)...it has a strange backing...Not silk...but sort of crepy and light weight...It always felt cool on my face!  I have them in a box (along with my husbands lovies)...I should find a way to display them somehow.

4. What 'institution' do you have the most faith in?

None.  At least not consciously.

5. Chrysanthemums-pansies-burning bush-ornamental cabbage...your favorite in an autumn garden?

I love burning bush...so bright when everything else seems to be fading and dying.

6. What superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posses?

The ability to cram into my van on a chilly morning at the bus stop.  This might be more of an ability for circus clowns...hahaha!  I say "bus" and they all pile out...and out....and out...

7. Are you a fan of the cranberry?

I like them dried in nut mixes...and I like a little dallop with my turkey at Thanksgiving. Ooo...and I love those Ocean's Spray commercials with those guys in the bog!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 Yesterday my van broke down...and I had to walk to the mall and feed the kids in the food court...due to nerves or the few pieces of halloween candy I had consumed I experienced intestinal woe and had to use the mall restroom.  This song was blaring...and it gave me a chuckle.   

At first I thought about how there are always little "private eyes" watching me in the bathroom...and then I thought about how they were watching me handle this stressful situation...and how God was watching too!  Interesting...how the Holy Spirit used a totally secular song to grasp my attention and change my attitude...pointing me back to Christ!

Soli Deo Gloria! Evangelistic Opportunities

And yes, I'm going to answer the burning question I've been asked multiple times this weekend.
Your kids go trick or treating?

My kids do go trick or treating. After some prayer and consideration we decided that it would be effectively slamming the door on any evangelistic attempts with our neighbors to turn off our lights and pretend we aren't home. We pass out candy bags and tracks (cute ones)...and we get to know our neighbors.

We've even had some great conversations. Some were shocked we let the kids go, too...they said, "Aren't you religious?" That was a great opportunity to say that we aren't religious...we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ...and "please, let me tell you what that means."

 We've built friendships...and they come to us with their prayer requests...cuz they know we pray...and that we believe in prayer. How neat is that? It makes me soooo happy that I open my mouth and ask how they are...and take the time to listen to their problems...and tell them about the power of prayer in my life because of my ALL POWERFUL GOD.

I do have opportunities to express my concerns with Halloween (evil, Satan, scary, etc.) but I have countless more opportunities to share about Jesus Christ. Remember, it's like I said last week...

When talking with sinners the issue is not their present sin but their need of a Savior!

~Reposted from 2009

Right Routine

This is hopefully one of Sweet Loverbrains last trips to China for a while.  And it's a LOONNGG trip!  I was musing over how good we're all doing with trips nowadays.  We've gotten adjusted to the odd routine.

Loverbrains has gotten really sweet and sensitive about it all too!!  He brought home flowers his last night...2 bouquets...in the hopes they live the whole time until he returns to me!

The kids are understanding that DadE is gone but loves them and is coming back...eventually...(don't you just love how Calubby stacks his graham crackers and eats one at a time...teehee)

I'm glad God works this way in me...bringing me to the understanding of just how 2 Corinthians 12 works..." For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

It really has EVERYthing to do with understanding that God is the ONLY one with enough strength for each test.  Yes, living alone with no tag team partner is considered a test.  I have to come to the end of me...remember Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Funny isn't it...how it all comes together when you get those things right?  Then we see...Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  I can wake up the kids...get everyone ready...watch the neighbors...pray at the bus stop...be a light here...shining brightly...all.by.my.little.lonely.self!  Cuz...I'm never really alone!  Duet. 31:8, "It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."