Last week somewhere I heard this saying "I want others to know me for what I have done not for what I have not done." I have been thinking a lot about this over the past week. I wonder what others think when they hear my name. I want to be thought of as a servant. Someone who lifts others up. I don't want to be the Debbie Downer. I want to be the person who finds the positive in each situation and person. I want to be the person who first speaks to a visitor and makes them feel welcome when they come to church for the first time. I want to be that person that others see Jesus in. I don't want to be the person that you can't depend on the one that finds the negative in everything or anyone around them. Or that person who never chooses to find a place to serve others. When someone needs a favor I want to be the first person that is thought of.
Last night in our small group we were talking about how God is known for his love and how he provides for us each day and why would we ever question this. I am sure this is a lack of faith. This one area that I need to grow in. To give my finances to the Lord. I found some verses this morning that spoke to me.
Proverbs 13:7
There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing ; Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.
11.
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But the one who gathers by labor increases it.
22.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
I Chronicles 29:12
Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
There is one thing that I am sure of. The Lord has blessed us abundantly. I think about the stuff he has given us and I am overwhelmed. The other day someone mentioned that they liked our house and I thought to myself the Lord gave us this house so that we could use it to serve others. How good of a job are we doing? Last week the Lord blessed me with a little more work. He is so amazing. He new I was a little concerned with all the money I am giving to the doctors these days and He laid the money in my lap. He is so good. Why would I ever doubt his provision when time and time again he provides over and above what we need. With the financial market the way it is many are overwhelmed with fear but I serve a very big God that can and does provide everything we need to fulfill his purpose.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
I'm Losing My Mind
I thought I was so on the ball Friday. I got up early and I went to work on the new potato soup recipe. Andrew was going to kid's day so I needed to be out of the house by 8:45. We were ready with 5 minutes to go. So while I was at work I was bragging about how good of a day I was having. I had supper cooking, I had met with the insurance agent at the church earlier that day and I think everything went very well, and Andrew had stayed at school with out too much of a fight. Life was going very good. So after working all day I was looking forward to my new soup recipe. I pick the kids up at Karen and head home. As I walk in the door I notice I didn't smell anything. OH I TURNED THE SLOW COOKER ON I JUST DIDN'T PLUG IT IN. rats rats rats. Anyway I put it on high on the stove and it did get done in time for supper but I was pretty aggravated at the whole situation. Karen told me that it was a pregnancy thing just like when I asked her to put darts in Noah swimming trunks because I didn't realize that they had a draw string that would work. Maybe after the baby gets here I will be able to think better but I doubt it.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Totally Stolen
I saw this recipe on someone else's blog and I stole it. It looks yummy. I am going to try it this week I think. I will let you know how it turns out.
BAKED POTATO SOUP
6 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 3/4 lbs)
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 (14 oz) cans Swanson chicken broth with roasted garlic*
1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup whipping cream or half-and-half (I use fat free half/half)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 tbsp chopped fresh chives1
8 oz container reduced fat sour cream (optional)
4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
extra cheese
1-Combine first 6 ingredients in a 5 quart slow cooker.
2- Cover and cook on HIGH 4 hours or on LOW 8 hours or until potatoes are tender.
3- Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsely chopped and soup is slightly thickened; stir in cream, shredded cheese and chives.
Top with sour cream, if desired, and sprinkle with bacon and cheddar cheese before serving. Makes 12 cups.
*I only use 2 cans of the broth with roasted garlic and 1 can of regular chicken broth. I found that 3 cans of garlic was a little strong.Enjoy!
BAKED POTATO SOUP
6 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 3/4 lbs)
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 (14 oz) cans Swanson chicken broth with roasted garlic*
1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup whipping cream or half-and-half (I use fat free half/half)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 tbsp chopped fresh chives1
8 oz container reduced fat sour cream (optional)
4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
extra cheese
1-Combine first 6 ingredients in a 5 quart slow cooker.
2- Cover and cook on HIGH 4 hours or on LOW 8 hours or until potatoes are tender.
3- Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsely chopped and soup is slightly thickened; stir in cream, shredded cheese and chives.
Top with sour cream, if desired, and sprinkle with bacon and cheddar cheese before serving. Makes 12 cups.
*I only use 2 cans of the broth with roasted garlic and 1 can of regular chicken broth. I found that 3 cans of garlic was a little strong.Enjoy!
You Know You Are Bored When .....
I don't know about you but I am having a hard time with boredom. You know it is bad when you decide to wash your shower curtain. You know the plastic one that goes on the inside. We have lived here for over 5 years and I think this is the first time I have ever washed that. It is kinda surprising that it was not more gross than it was.
Breast Cancer Awareness
I am all for contributing to a good cause. BUT REALLY. I would never wear this shirt.
Anxiety Free
This morning as I was getting ready for the day and I decided to listen to some preaching on the internet (the multi-tasker that I am). I went to the website I usually listen to and the first choice I saw was "Anxiety Free Living" by John McArthur.
I almost didn't listen due to the author. Every time I have tried to read anything by him I have felt out of my league. I made myself read God in a Manger. It was torture. He talks above my head but today I decided to go ahead and listen. I am glad I did.
I thought I would share some of his points. I am sure no one else deals with anxiety. haha You know the kind that wakes you up in the middle of the night and won't let you mind quiet working. This was one of the main reason that I decided not to work at the church I couldn't get my mind to stop thinking about it when I would get home in the evenings. Anyway here is three of his points.
1. Failure to understand divine priority. You live and exist for the purpose of God.
God has you here for a reason.
2. Failure to understand divine provision. If you have not served his purpose for being here yet he will provide for you until your time on earth is done. If he provides for the birds of the air are you not much more important than them.
3. Failure to understand divine privilege. We do not have the privilege to add to our life’s days. God will decide when our time on earth is done.
Here are some verses on anxiety and God's provision.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
To me this sounds like a command not a suggestion.
Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Do I allow Jesus to bring joy to my soul.
Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
I want to be considered righteous.
Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
I want to put all my trust in the Lord
Matthew 6:26-34
26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
My prayer for my own life is to realize that I am here for a purpose. God will take care of me and he loves me. I don't have to do life on my own. Worry is not only a lack of confidence in God but a waste of time and a sin. Lord please help me to leave everything in your hands consistently and not take things back up when I don't think they are being handled properly. Thanks for your unfailing provision for our lives.
I almost didn't listen due to the author. Every time I have tried to read anything by him I have felt out of my league. I made myself read God in a Manger. It was torture. He talks above my head but today I decided to go ahead and listen. I am glad I did.
I thought I would share some of his points. I am sure no one else deals with anxiety. haha You know the kind that wakes you up in the middle of the night and won't let you mind quiet working. This was one of the main reason that I decided not to work at the church I couldn't get my mind to stop thinking about it when I would get home in the evenings. Anyway here is three of his points.
1. Failure to understand divine priority. You live and exist for the purpose of God.
God has you here for a reason.
2. Failure to understand divine provision. If you have not served his purpose for being here yet he will provide for you until your time on earth is done. If he provides for the birds of the air are you not much more important than them.
3. Failure to understand divine privilege. We do not have the privilege to add to our life’s days. God will decide when our time on earth is done.
Here are some verses on anxiety and God's provision.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
To me this sounds like a command not a suggestion.
Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Do I allow Jesus to bring joy to my soul.
Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
I want to be considered righteous.
Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
I want to put all my trust in the Lord
Matthew 6:26-34
26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
My prayer for my own life is to realize that I am here for a purpose. God will take care of me and he loves me. I don't have to do life on my own. Worry is not only a lack of confidence in God but a waste of time and a sin. Lord please help me to leave everything in your hands consistently and not take things back up when I don't think they are being handled properly. Thanks for your unfailing provision for our lives.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Not So Cool Mom - Cool Mom
Yesterday morning I had to work in Springdale. One of my clients had asked me to interview somebody that they wanted to hire. I was trying to look professional which is hard to do when your bellybutton sticks out further than anything else on your body. Well anyway I was wearing some short grey pants and a red top. I had long black boots on also. Which as anyone can tell you that is around me for very long this might have been the style a couple of years ago. I usually lag behind on wearing what is actually in style by atleast a couple of years if not more. Anyway lets continue with the story. I was trying to get Andrew into the car and he looks at me and states "Mom, you can't wear shorts with boots" . As he looks at me with a look that says you are so not cool. HE'S 4. I was amazed that he even noticed what I had on. I know he got this from me telling him he could not wear his cowboy boots with shorts when we are going to a public place. Anyway I tried to explain that this was different and I thought that it would be okay. This was the uncool mom of the morning.
Last night Noah had basketball practice. Andrew and I left early because he would go outside the gym without me and I was tired of chasing him down. Anyway on the way home I asked what he wanted for supper. I don't know how moms who have full time jobs and are able to do supper and keep up with all the activities and clean the house. On the days I work all day by the time I get home I am done. The thought of having to cook a meal seems impossible. So I asked Andrew if he wanted to eat cereal for supper. I know everyone must be gasping at this. Okay I admit I am not a great mom that spends hours in the kitchen after a long day at work. I mean who can say that it is totally unhealthy to eat cereal for supper. We let our kids eat it for breakfast. Does the time of day really matter. This is when I became the cool mom. Andrew exact words were " ARE YOU SERIOUS?". He was very excited about this. If I would have known that this would make him so happy I might suggest cereal a couple times a week for supper. Just kidding. Anyway I went from the uncool side to the cool side all in one day by just offering cereal for supper.
Last night Noah had basketball practice. Andrew and I left early because he would go outside the gym without me and I was tired of chasing him down. Anyway on the way home I asked what he wanted for supper. I don't know how moms who have full time jobs and are able to do supper and keep up with all the activities and clean the house. On the days I work all day by the time I get home I am done. The thought of having to cook a meal seems impossible. So I asked Andrew if he wanted to eat cereal for supper. I know everyone must be gasping at this. Okay I admit I am not a great mom that spends hours in the kitchen after a long day at work. I mean who can say that it is totally unhealthy to eat cereal for supper. We let our kids eat it for breakfast. Does the time of day really matter. This is when I became the cool mom. Andrew exact words were " ARE YOU SERIOUS?". He was very excited about this. If I would have known that this would make him so happy I might suggest cereal a couple times a week for supper. Just kidding. Anyway I went from the uncool side to the cool side all in one day by just offering cereal for supper.
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