Monday, Monday

Remember that song, Monday Monday sung by The Mama’s and the Papa’s? It said that Monday’s were not to be trusted and that things would not turn out good. Of course you can’t “trust” in Monday’s, its a day. Who or what do you put your trust in? When days don’t turn out in a good way, then who are you relying on? On your money? Your job? Your tangible things in life can not be trusted. Things will break, money will be spent. Even people will let you down. You can only trust in “the” one who loves you beyond comprehension. That’s Jesus! He will never leave you or forsake ! I John 14:1  says, “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”  In Proverbs 3:5-6 it says, “Trust in the LORD with all you heart; do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight”‘  In Psalm 52:7 it says, “Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God. They trust their wealth instead and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”

A quote by Edward McKendrea (E.M.) Bounds, “Trust is faith that has become absolute, approved, and accomplished. When all is said and done, there is a sort of risk in faith and its exercise. But trust in firm belief; it is faith in full bloom. Trust is a conscious act, a fact of which we are all aware.”

May you trust in the Lord who has given you life!

Recipe #1- A bannana Smoothie

My kids and I got out the ingredients for the bananna smoothie and blended them altogether. The recipe called for honey. My kids are not used to putting honey or any added sugar to their smoothie and we realized soon that it was way to sweet for them. They could not finish the smoothie. We will stick to our way of doing bananna smoothies. Usually our smoothies consists of rice milk, half of a bananna, vanilla flavoring, and sometimes we will put other berries in it. This is what works for us! Too sweet, no bueno for us!  Next on our try-it list is her Yogurt Icy.

Cooking with Judie Byrd cookbook

I have recently been watching a cooking show by Judie Byrd. Her name seemed awfully familiar to me. I looked in my cookbooks today and realized I have her cookbook. It’s one of my favorite cookbooks. So, I am challenging myself to cook a recipe from it once a week. This week I am going to make a breakfast drink. Tune in to see how it turns out.

Gluten free cooking

This year my goal is to learn to cook more gluten free food. Today I tried to cook chocolate donuts covered with powder sugar. Oh, they did not turn out good at all!  However, the girls made a boxed gluten free cake and it turned out yummy! My next recipe will be a flat bread. Stay tuned and see how this one turns out!

Warrior Princesses

What a glorious time my mom and I had at women’s retreat. We now know how to be a Warrior Princesses. This is the title and theme of the weekend. This was my first time in years I went to women’s retreat. I really didn’t know what to expect but was praying for God to speak to me from his word. Without fail he did. We were taught the tactics the enemy uses to destroy us. He may say to us, “Your not good enough!” Or “Your not worthy to be God’s servant!” Or, “Staying home with your kids, is not making a difference in their life.”

 I was reminded as Christians we have three voice in our head; the first one is us, the second one is the Holy Spirit, and the third one is Satan. We need to learn to recognize who is speaking. You will know when it is satan when you hear something that is discouraging and a lie. When satan opens his mouth he lies!  These things he whispers to you about not being good enough, recognize them!  They are not from God.

 I pray the Lord will help me to recognize his evil work and to resist him so he flees.  In Ephesians 6:11-18 it says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and  blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having  done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith which with you be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” 

 We do not wrestle with flesh and blood (people)” we wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ”  Wow, there is this unseen battle that is going on that is between God and Satan. How I needed to be reminded of this.

We are to know and practice God’s priorities. In 2 Corinthians 10:3 it says, “For though we walk in the flesh,  we do not war according to the flesh.For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds, casting down arguments and any high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s.”

What are God’s priorities for me, for you regarding spiritual warfare? First off, to read His word. How will I be able to do God’s priorities and will for my life if I am not reading His word? I can’t!  I will dig into the word of God daily to search scripture to know His will for my life as a whole and each day.  Secondly, we are to resist the devil. In 1 Peter 5: 8-9  says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your  adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” In James 4:7 it says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee.”  One way to resist his tactics is to quote scripture and speak it out loud to satan. Remember satan can’t hear your thoughts, but he can hear you speak.  Also, sing praise songs to Jesus out loud.  Don’t forget to “not forsake the assembling of yourselves” (going to church) and also praying to Jesus that you would resist the devil.

I pray that you would all recognize the enemies tactics and “flee” from them. That you would be “steadfast in the faith” !

Seasons of School

Many are getting ready to start school or they have started. We get to enjoy our school endeavers; field trips, cuddling up with our kids to read them a story, teaching our kids the value of hard work, rewarding the good habits and taking heed to the bad ones.  The time has come for schedules and park days.  We play games to enhance their school work and check their homework to make sure they are getting it.  The kids learn many facts and we do too. We marvel in their gifts and pray for their weaknesses. We encourage them to do their best even when it’s hard. Sometimes we grow restless of being cooped up in the house and venture outside for a walk or to do school. The wheather is hot and soon will cool down to a crispness with leaves falling that have turned a burnt red and brown. The house will be filled with the smells of baking and of soups on cold days. This is our life; the priveledge of homeschooling our kids.

 I pray your year is filled with blessings and hope. May we not give up but, endure what the Lord has given us this year. That we would enjoy where we can and pray for the hard things. In Psalm 1:1-3  says, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither- whatever they do prospers.”

In the Wee Small Hours

Getting up early in the morning when the house is quiet and still is my favorite time of the day. The kids are fast asleep and there is not much noise outside. I really enjoy this time. Quiet time with the Lord is awesome. I also sometimes get to take time to write. The hard part is just getting up. Once I am up I really enjoy the quiet. All day long is filled with questions, talking, crying, and sometimes the kids arguing. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids and  being home with them. But, if I don’t take the time to just be with Him, the one who knows me and knows how my day will turn out, the day is just plain hard. In the wee small hours of the early morning He guides me into the path I should go, He sustains me with everlasting peace,  He gives me wisdom for the day and for decisions to be made. How awesome is your counsel, Lord! I love to meditate on your word.

School is about to start

School is just around the corner. I am making lists of what needs to get done before school starts. One thing I need to do is organize my school books and shelves. I would like to move the shelves as well too and some other furniture. I have been known to move furniture, even at a young age I would clean, organize and move my furniture around. It’s an inexpensive way to make a change in your house for no money. Another thing I need to do is write at least a month worth of school schedules. I don’t want to have to do this every weekend. I generally know what needs to be done. But, would like to have it written done for my kids. Instead of them asking- What do I need to do for school? Another thing I would like to write down is what’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So, I don’t hear the never ending question- What’s for dinner? I will also write down chores on the kids school schedule based on my monthly school schedule. I havn’t organized everything in the house that I have wanted, but there might be a little more time to do some of these things. I look forward to all the activities and field trips that we will be doing the rest of the year and look forward to schooling my kids.

Poem Published on the Victory Herald Website

I got another poem published at www.victoryherald.com  .  The poem is intitled A Conversation With God.  It is just like it says, its a conversation from a believer to God as this believer is going through trials. Go on the website and click on poets scroll down until you see the poem. Happy reading!

The Waiting Process

I turned in samples for a daily flip calendar to a Christian publisher. It has been over a week and I still havn’t heard anything. I read that it could take up to 3 months for a publisher to respond. Waiting has been hard, but I know that God has his perfect plan for the writing that I do, so I should not be anxious in the waiting. If  He has plans for me to get a contract and write this idea for publishing then nothing can stop His plans. I rest on this very thought.

I also turned in a poem to another publisher. I should hear back from them by September. The waiting is the hard part. In the mean time I will keep writing other ideas, stories, poems, and articles. I will keep trusting the Lord that His perfect will be done.