Tip of the Day 9/10/12

105 Days 'til Christmas: I love the Upper Midwest, and our corner of Michigan, for many reasons. One of the top reasons is 4 real seasons. For many years I traveled to southern California in October to attend a conference. One year I was with a friend who is from there and remember her commenting on how she loved the feeling of the changing of the seasons. Having left Chicago to travel out there I always had a hard time packing because I had put away most of my warm weather clothes, what little color was on my legs had begun to fade, and I could never figure out how to dress for Fall without sweaters and boots. 90 degrees just did not feel like Fall to me. Living in the Upper Midwest has taught me there are more than just 4 "seasons" to live with though. We have Earwig Season when it is cool and rainy in May. There is Dust Season when it is cool enough to have the windows open, but not much rain, in July and Au

gust. Late September and October usher in Mice in the House Season as the corn is harvested. My favorite is mid-October, Welches Grape Juice Factory Season, when all the vineyards are harvested and when you step outside that is what you smell. Right now, late August-early September is Cobweb Season. They are every where. No matter how clean your house is, you will discover one in a corner you dusted the day before. This past week we watched as a large spider created a beautiful web suspended right outside the French doors to the deck. It was so fascinating to watch "Charlotte" work spinning her web. We stood for a while just watching her. The web was about 10" x 10" when we had to sweep it away. It was right in our faces as we walked out the door. As fascinating as they are, no one wants to walk into a web. Several years ago I discovered a huge web right outside my front door by walking into it. We don't go in or out that door every day, so it was undetected until my face came in contact with it. After much arm  waving, gagging, and yes, spitting, I got the broom to sweep it away only to discover "Charlotte" had deposited hundreds of eggs and all the little spiders seemed to hatch at once when I swept at the web. It was a traumatic experience that I do not care to repeat. So, now is a good time to sweep away the webs around the house. Inside use a long handled duster or broom covered with a washable or disposable cloth to sweep across ceilings, corners, under cabinet edges, and door frames to clear any webs that have been created. Keeping them clear will help keep Cobweb Season from turning into Spider Trauma Season.

 

Word for Today, Strength: This is such a big word. It can be examined from many aspects, physical, spiritual, personal, corporate, etc. It is the core of our survival. When we are ill, we are weak. When we are facing a tragedy, we are weak. When we face temptation, we are weak. Our bodies begin to weaken as we age or live with a chronic illness. In times of trial we are faced with feelings of not being able to carry on. Some days it seems that the "one more thing" is the one that will send us over the edge. But I have good news, Jesus said, "When you are weak, I am strong." And, "My strength is made perfect in your weakness." He proclaimed, "He is our strength." He doesn't just give us strength, because then it is about us, instead He actually IS our strength, and that makes it all about Him. Are you hurting, are circumstances conspiring against you, does it feel as though you have nothing left to give? Turn to the One who died to carry it all for you, the One who, "bore our sorrows." In Him you will know strength. "My God shall be my strength." "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you."

Tip of the Day 9/8/12

107 Days 'til Christmas: It feels like Fall in most parts of the country today. The changing of the seasons is exhilarating and inspiring. Football games are on the agenda for today. Farmer's Markets have late season produce available. It is nice weather for a hike or bike ride. It is Saturday and Fall, don't miss it. Make nachos and watch the game, Pick up some squash or tomatoes and make a beautiful soup. Take a hike or ride and stop for a coffee or tea afterwards. Just don't waste the day. You can't get it back.

Word for Today, Forever: "Nothing lasts forever." Things break, companies lay people off, friends we love move away, people walk away from marriages, relationships, and friendships, people we love die. The landscape of our lives are in a constant state of change and we feel like we have no control. All of these situations leave us feeling shaken and some are very hard to understand and recover from. The saddest things in life is to see someone reject the only thing there is a forever guarantee for, a relationship with your Creator. His very name is Everlasting. Choosing to not have a relationship with Him is the only case of something being one sided. His choice has always been and always will be to have a relationship with you. When someone makes a commitment to a relationship and then chooses to not remain committed to it, can be even harder than a commitment never being made. There is a tearing apart. The lose of something we thought was forever, leaves a hole in our heart. I believe there is a hole in Jesus' heart from every person that once made a commitment to follow Him and has walked away. It isn't too late, He is waiting for you to come back. "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart." "What profit is it to a man if he gain the whole world, and loses his own soul?"

Tip of the Day 9/7/12

108 Days 'til Christmas: I am not good at doing nothing. That is not poor grammar, I just have a hard time not being about accomplishing something. Today I am accomplishing resting. :) But as I rest I know I can still be accomplishing things that make me feel better. I will finish my book for book club and I will read the instructions for the projects I am making f

or Christmas gifts. As I listen to the rain I can relax about missing one of my favorite garage sales and I can plan which pieces of fabric I purchased at a sale yesterday that I want to use for which projects. Since becoming a Pinterest user I have pinned a lot of ideas on my boards and have used a lot of the recipes. I have also looked back through the ideas and been purchasing the items needed to make the items. Last week I sorted my craft drawers and now I know what I can use for many of the projects. I used the idea of hanging my fabric on multi pant hangers and can now see what I have to choose from for the projects. I have begun physically and mentally sorting the items for the projects. Looking through what I already have encourages me to undertake ideas I like. As I sorted I found everything I needed to make autograph books for the grands to take to Disneyworld. I set the items aside to make soon. I found srtrapping and cord I can use for other patterns I thought would be fun, like the log carrier and felt Mr. Potato Head set. If you are a crafter, sorting or looking through your supplies can bring inspiration. Maybe you purchased something thinking you would use it for one project, but didn't. When you look at it now, can you see a new use for it? Get inspired by going through your craft supplies. If you have become a pinner, become a doer! Share with us what you are working on. Look back through what you have pinned or purchased and make a commitment to it. Decide who to make it for and tell others you are going to do it. Ask them to ask you how you are doing with it. Get busy, you will feel great, unless you have a cold and need to stay in bed. :)

 Word for Today, Language: Have you ever been to a foreign country and wished you could understand the language? When we moved to Africa we discovered most people spoke English, but they also spoke Kswahili and their tribal language. It was so exciting to learn some of their language to share. One of our guards, who spoke very little English, loved for us to be able to greet him with karibu inst

ead of hello. Often the problems begin when you speak one word and they assume you know more. I read a book this summer by 35 artists that spent time living in Paris. It was sad that the one thing they all encountered was rudeness when they spoke French to a shopkeeper. They said they were often ignored, or told they pronounced the word wrong. I think anyone at least trying to speak the language of the country they are in should be acknowledged and encouraged. One of my sons-in-law's mother speaks virtually no English. She knows I don't really know anything beyond Hola, Buenos Dias, gracias, and I know she doesn't know much beyond hello and thank you. But we carry on conversations. I have no idea what we have talked about, but I like listening to her. In the book of Hebrews in the Bible we are told that God spoke to us "in Son." This is like Nico's mother speaking to me "in Spanish." It is a language, and "in Son" is a language of love. It is said the best way to learn a language is by immersion. Children that are raised in a dual language home have no trouble learning both. It becomes harder the older you get. You are more set and tuned to the language you have always heard and spoken. The same is true when it comes to God's Word. The longer you have waited to listen to His voice, the harder it can be to understand. But He made a way, He speaks to us "in Son," a language anyone can understand. We will come to know the sound of it without effort, to know the difference between it and the language of man, when we immerse ourself in it. Reading it everyday will work like the teller's learning the difference between real and counterfit money. We will be able to recognize a man speaking genuine "in Son," or "pig latin." Start today to learn a new language and you don't need Rosetta Stone to do it. Just a Bible, God's Spirit, and a good church with a teacher that speaks "in Son."

Tip of the Day 9/5/12

110 Days 'til Christmas: As you make your plans for projects to complete this Fall, here are a few ideas that should help.
-Dust the ceiling fans, top and bottom
-Take apart box or window fans and clean before storing
-Sweep the outside of your house, cobwebs are traps for leaves and other debri. The house will look better and you won't walk outside and end up with a

face full of cobweb. Yew!!!
-Wash lawn furniture, cushions, and covers before storing. If any need replacing, purchase now while items are on clearance.
-Repair and clean window screens
-Sweep the garage and rearrange items to easily access winter boots, shovels, etc. BEFORE it snows
-Before it is time to pull out Christmas decorations give each of the "public" rooms in the house a deep cleaning. If you do 1 or 2 each month, Sept., Oct., Nov., you will be ready to decorate and entertain.
-Clean and inventory your kitchen for the holidays. Did you use all of the pumpkin pie spice last year? Can you find the cookie cutters so you can actually make the cookies this year instead of giving up because you can't find them? Would silpat mats be a good expenditure? Are your cookie sheets clean and ready to use?
-Clean the oven
-Clean the refrigerator

By doing these tasks now, you will be prepared for winter and the holidays and it is being a good steward of your belongings.

 

Word for Today, Sweet: It has been almost two months since I quit eating sugar. I have had it a few times, but it really has lost its appeal. It is said it takes 21 days to form a new habit and that was why I tried 21 days without sugar, and it worked. Our bodies know what they need to be healthy, pure, and strong, and mine recognized it does not need sugar. On the other hand if I decided to

go 21 days without water, my body would protest. My skin would begin to look unhealthy, my inner workings would not function well, even my eyes would begin go look dull. Closely look at someone that drinks soda, wine, or even juice all the time compared to someone that adds water and water based foods, i.e. vegetables, to their diet. You can physically see a difference and it isn't just their weight. Their good health shines from the inside out. When Daniel and the other Hebrew young men were taken to serve in Nebuchadnezzar's court the king wanted them fed his rich foods, but Daniel and 3 of his friends asked if they could be given a diet of vegetables and water instead. If you know the story, Daniel and his friends were the healthy ones in the end. I have discovered that the sweet I think I want or the junk food I decide to eat isn't near as pleasing or satisfying as I thought it would be. It tastes good at the moment, but the way I feel later isn't worth it. This is how the things of the world are, the movie might seem fun or exciting as I am watching it, but the images it leaves behind aren't worth it. The activity may seem like the cool thing to do at the time, but the after effects are not worth it. We all know indulging in things not good for us have lasting effects, weight gain, lung cancer, memory lose, are major ones, but the subtle effects are just as bad, lack of judgement, lose of friendships, nightmares, wanting more and never being satisfied. On the other hand, the more we feed our body, soul, spirit, and mind the healthy things available to us, the more we will crave them. Just like not going to church for a few weeks gets you in the habit of not going and before you know it you haven't been there in 6 months or a year, being there every week causes you to crave more. When I eat a healthy meal it is satisfying and I look forward to the next meal. I love that the Bible so often talks about good food and eating with others. It is a joy to share good food with others and is not nearly as satisfying to eat alone. Develop good habits, eat the food of God's Word on your own each day, but don't forget to enjoy a great "meal" with others. Jesus didn't eat alone, He had a habit of eating with friends. Give it a try and it will become a good habit for you. "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."

Tip of the Day 9/4/12 bonus

Tuesday Bonus: I just finished cutting up a 1/4 bushel Roma tomatoes and put them in the oven to dry. As I was working and looking out the kitchen window at my beautiful flower garden, I was thinking about what led me to that task. Last Fall I thought it would be great to put in a small garden this year, so I did some reading. When I come up with an idea, I want to be well informed before I ta

ke it on. I had a garden many years ago and don't remember much about it except from the pictures (it looked huge) and what the kids and my husband tell me about it. When I see the pictures I realize I really was sick during that time. :) After doing some reading, I came to the conclusion I would plant a few containers this Spring and prep for a bigger garden for next year. As Spring drew closer and my back got worse, I realized even container gardening wasn't going to happen this year, if ever. Then the crazy weather hit and our local farmers began reporting how much damage there was and how the produce was really affected. Our choices were going to be much slimmer than normal. My usual produce stand did not open at all and I began looking for another to buy from. There are 12 or more within a five mile radius of my house. The next closest one has two buildings, one indoor type shop and next door a roadside stand. They never did open the shop this year. As I was garage saleing I stopped at a few to see if they were the right one for me this year. That was how I found Alex's Veggies. They are just around the corner from the one with the 2 shops, and across the street from one that I know the family. I was drawn to Alex's and am so thankful. Sheryl is a tremendous blessing. I told her I was looking for 1/4 and 1/2 bushels of several things. She put me on a call list and I waited. I had asked for bell peppers, the ripe ones had been destroyed the previous day in a freak hail storm, so she had to wait for more to ripen. Two weeks passed and she called to say she had zucchini, when would I like to pick it up. The next day I picked up MY 1/2 bushel, they picked it for ME that morning and had my name on it, and paid $7. Two weeks later she called and said the peppers were ready, did I want all one color or mixed. You all saw the picture, $10 for a 1/2 bushel. Later that week I picked up a 1/4 bushel tomatoes for $3.50, 1/2 bushel onions for $15, and this week 1/4 bushel Roma's for $5. All of these were picked when I said I would pick them up. Along with the blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries earlier in the summer, and the peaches and apples I will have to get from another farmer since it is Alex's VEGGIES, we will enjoy a lot of great food this winter. The point of this rambling muse, "God works all things together for good." As I move our house away from unhealthy additives and more whole food, I was blessed to support a local farmer. My back is healthy, Alex and Sheryl gained a new longtime customer, and we helped support our local economy. This was the right choice and the direction God led our family. Support your local businesses, develop a relationship with the proprietor, consider their needs as you fill yours. We are in this together and can be a blessing to each other in these days of uncertainty. I may not have bought enough to keep Alex and Sheryl in business another year, but hopefully I helped encourage them to keep doing what they love.

Tip of the Day 9/4/12

111 Days 'til Christmas: That probably isn't the subject line you wanted to see immediately following "99 Days of Summer" and on the first day of school. However, it should give you hope because it is more days than Memorial Day to Labor Day. The key to seeing that number is what you will do with each of those days. Will you use them wisely, or when you see the count

down at, 31 days 'til Christmas, will you panic? By establishing a plan now, you can enjoy all 111 days and relax during the entire holiday celebration. Summer is a time of, spontinaity, Fall brings routine. This can be good, if we use routine wisely, instead of being stressed by it. We all have calendars that look full, especially if you have children still at home, and if you work, and if you volunteer, and if you have a life, period. By pre-planning your day, week, and month, you can lower your stress level. I start by looking at the big picture, what do I need, or desire, to accomplish between now and the holidays? I know I want to wash the outside of the windows and clean the furniture. I need to finish making and purchasing birthday and Christmas gifts. Apples will be ready to make sauce in a few weeks. We are going to Shreveport at Thanksgiving and I want to take the pictures I have been sorting for my daughter, as well as Christmas gifts with. The curtains need to be washed after windows being open for the summer. This is the big picture, projects that are not weekly or everyday routine, so which Month should I plan to do each one. What are the activities that I need to accomplish each week is next in my planning. Every week I know I need to type worship and the prayer list, once a month is the addition of the bulletin which includes planning the menu for Cafe' Calvary. I also have a Sunday School lesson to prepare each week, and in the Fall is the addition of my Ladies Bible Study prep. By knowing my regular activities, I can easily look at the extras and see where to plug them in. This week I know I need to finish up Christmas and Birthday gifts to take with when I go to Oklahoma next week. We also have a visitation to attend Thursday evening and an event to work on Friday evening. Add to that one less day in the week for routine and I will only plan on one big task this week. There is a 1/4 bushel roma tomatoes in my kitchen to be dried and along with my other prep for Oklahoma, I will not pursue any of the other "biggies" on my list. Start this short, busy week by listing what you hope, and need to accomplish this Fall. We will make it to a restful holiday season together.

 

Word for Today, Sit: As you know, I am not a sitter. I have a tendency to be more Martha of Bethany (ok, Stewart), than Mary. That is why I take the time to read God's Word before I get out of bed. I am called to care for my home and husband, but if I neglect my soul, I am not good for anything. So, I established a good routine for me, put a load of laundry in the washer, reheat the cup of tea

my hubby made for me before he left, pick up the Bible he left next to the cup of tea (we read the same one in the morning as a way of drawing us closer), crawl back in the bed and read. I have started my responsibilities for the day and then am not distracted as I spend my needed time with my Father. I love to get lost in His word and don't want to put it down. It is a time of fellowship and communication. I may read verses that have been turned into a song I know, and I sing the full song before I read further, a verse may speak something to me that reminds me of something else I have read and I need to look that up and then contemplate it. It is possible to spend time most days in real fellowship with my Creator. There is a little story I love titled, My Heart-Christ's Home by Robert Munger. It is about a man that meets with the Savior every morning, they enjoy sweet fellowship by the fire. The man grows, but as time goes by he gets busy and doesn't stop by the fire every morning. One morning he happens to notice the fire burning in the hearth in the room where he always met with Jesus, so he steps in and finds Jesus sitting in the chair where He always sat. When the man expresses his surprise, Jesus explains that He has still been there every morning waiting. As you begin your Fall routine, kids off to school, regular work hours again, full schedules of activities, homework, etc., or an empty house for the first time, establish a routine for meeting time alone with your Heavenly Father. You will find the sacrifice of your time is nothing compared to the sacrifice He made for you. "Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or be fainthearted." "Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still." "Be still, and know that I am God."

Tip of the Day 9/1/12

Word for Today, Strength: I promised a few weeks ago that I was not going to take part in political debate with all of you. You are my friends and a persons political choices are personal. I vote my conscience and I want you to do the same. My concern is that I make the choice I believe God would have me make and that I exercise my right as an American to make my choice without pressure, coerc

ion, or criticism. My choice is based on the things I know about the candidate as being true, fair, just, and most of all strong. I want to look to someone that will lead my country with power and strength. I want a leader that exhibits leadership! I want a leader that is real, listens, understands, has experienced the lows and has risen to the heights. I want a leader that is every man, and yet knows how to stand firm and exhibit strength and power. Not a dictator, but a person of understanding of how to get done what they have promised they will do. I don't want shallow promises, I want knowledge and action. I want a leader worthy of following. In this world, in every campaign, there is NEVER anyone that fits that description. Every candidate will be lacking in some area. That is why I have chosen who I will vote for and unless they demonstrate something that goes against my conscience, I will not change my mind. I have not chosen the man, the personality, or the platform, I have chosen to exercise my freedom to express who I am by accepting a person to lead me that I believe God has led me to vote for. Is he the best person for the office? No, but he is who I believe God will allow to represent my interests on this earth. There is only One who throughout eternity past and eternity come that represents all my interests without any fault, and I have chosen to put my full trust in Him Alone! He, only, will never fail, or lie, or dictate. He alone rules from knowledge lived as a man like me and yet sits on a throne. Who are you following? "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength." "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom."

Tip of the Day 8/31/12

99 Days of Summer: As most of you know by now, tonight we will have the joy of experiencing a "Blue Moon." In case you don't know, tonight is the second full moon in the month of August. All full moons are given a name, and this one is called a Blue Moon because two full moons in a month are infrequent, they happen only "once in a blue moon." We will not see another o

ne until 2015. So don't miss it. With this fun event being on a Friday, and a holiday weekend, plan an evening around it, do something out of the ordinary. Enjoy the evening in the backyard, eat blue moon ice cream, dance to the Elvis rendition of "Blue Moon of Kentucky" while wearing blue shoes, drink blue koolaid and eat blueberries. Just don't sit around with the blues.

 

 Word for Today, Worthwhile: There is so much in this life that we can do or participate in. Our schedules easily become so full we forget how to relax. There is always one more activity or task that needs our attention or attendance. My tendency is to line out my tasks for the day and feel greatly accomplished only when I have completed them all. Sometimes I put unrealistic expectations on my

self and then feel guilty when I don't accomplish the unrealistic goals I have set. It is not a part of my nature to think others are being lazy, I just think I am. So, I purpose to set realistic goals for myself based on importance. The determining factors of importance need to be, and hopefully are, based each day on the time I spend each morning listening to my Father's voice. He desires to "instruct me in the way I should go." His word shows me how to prioritize. It has taught me not to plan so much for my day that I am still working at household tasks when Richard arrives home. You might be thinking, "sure, you read that in the Bible." But the fact is, I did, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others." Richard loves to come home to a calm home, with time to sit and unwind as we share a cool drink and just chat. I know this is important to him and I make it a priority in my day. By planning out my day to accomplish what is important for me, I have the joy of spending a fulfilling evening or weekend doing what is fun. A spontaneous trip to the carousel or a walk on the beach is possible because I set my priorities. Does this mean we NEVER have work to do except 8 - 5? Of course not! We just have chosen what is worthwhile to us and make it a priority. "I must work the works of my Father while it is day." " Know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Have a great Labor Day weekend!

 

Tip of the Day 8/30/12

99 Days of Summer: We are experiencing some perfect late summer days. The breezes and beautiful blue skies make it hard to believe that it is hurricane season and others are in peril. It also makes it hard to believe that in two months we could be seeing the first snow fly. But, in my spirit I feel the tugging to prepare and to stock up. This weekend is a popular time for garage sales. Take advantage of these fun and bargain filled adventures. Go with a list looking for needs and feel the thrill of finding that thing you don't need, but is too fun to pass up.

Word for Today, Boldness: I am not a naturally bold person. I was always, and still often am, the shortest person in the class. I had to wear an eyepatch because of lazy eye in second grade and have worn glasses since then. My naturally curly hair brought me a lot of frustration until good products were developed. I was not a great athlete, my flute playing and singing are average, my grades

were also average. When I became a parent I had no self confidence and the criticism I received from even those closest to me caused me to strive for perfection instead of relaxing and enjoying the experience. Even my first marriage was to someone who considered and treated me as not worth much and I believed it. When Richard was called into the ministry I was terrified. It was a very difficult time in my life physically and the prospect of having to be all a Pastor's wife entailed was almost overwhelming. Even posting an invitation for anyone to join me for pizza in Tulsa took me two weeks to decide to share. I figured no one would care or want to come. I may be right. LOL I am not sharing these examples because of who I am, or what I have been through, but rather because I want you to know who Jesus is, and what He went through on your behalf. Each morning as I get ready to type this little message to you I hear a voice saying, "Who do you think you are, no one reads this stuff." So, in obedience, I ask God to say what He wants you to hear. A lot of days I would prefer to be anonymous. I like being at home, social events don't excite, playing hostess is not my favorite thing to do. I am always afraid I will say or do the wrong thing. But God... He has called me to step out of my comfort zone. He has put His words in my mouth to share. Not because I am anything, but because He is everything. I have nothing to lose, but everything to gain by my obedience to His call. What are you afraid of? What hurts and scars are you dealing with? What role do you find yourself in that is uncomfortable? You cannot do it on your own. I can tell you that with all confidence. I am in your shoes. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Tip of the Day 8/29/12

99 Days of Summer: As summer winds down I have found my days filled with activity preparing for the seasons ahead. I love the preparations and the anticipation of the fun and tasty things that are ahead because of it. Blueberry pancakes and homemade spaghetti sauce, along with Christmas gifts and warm clothing, are a few of the things I am preparing. God's Word instructs us to be wise and prepared, not to be like the sluggard. It is a joyful activity when the "work" you are doing will have rewards, like the joy on someone's face when they open the gift you put time and thought into, the homemade pancakes for the family on a Saturday morning made with the blueberries you put up, time to sit and play a game because the house is already clean because you and everyone in the family have worked together to make it a home. Yes, I am a busy person. Today I will chop and freeze onions, make granola, do laundry, and work

on a dress I am sewing. These are important activities for my home. Your day may be filled with a job that provides the means for support. That activity is just as important. If my husband did not work to support us, there would not be a home for me to care for. Find your purpose, evaluate your call in life. Is it a season of working outside the home? If it is, embrace that and develop the skills to meet the needs of your family in the way best for you. When I worked outside the home, I did not do the things I do now. We ate out more, I made "semi-homemade" meals. Taking ironing to the dry cleaners was an important decision. Cleaning was consolidated and Richard helped because I needed him to. Now when he cleans the kitchen after dinner, like he did last night, it is because he has chosen to give me a break from that task. I do not expect him to do things I am capable of when he gets home from his job. This is our current season in life. Spend some time evaluating the needs of your home and family. Formulate a plan that works for you. Being prepared is the key whether you are waiting on a hurricane to hit land or just anticipating the season ahead. How will your family meet the needs of Christmas gifts this year? What about the kids soccer games, dance lessons, and homework along with everyone needing to be fed? Are your cars ready for the winter? Do you need to take care of flower beds or cleaning out the gutters before the first snowfall? Evaluate your home and family's needs and do what is right for you. If the plans are in place, you can all have winter coats and gloves ready to wear, Christmas gifts planned, and still eat blueberry pancakes, even if IHop makes them. :)

 

Word for Today, Good: I am an optimistic person, one that sees the glass half full. I am also very realistic and can often see what consequences of actions are going to lead to. It is difficult to convince someone that the actions they are taking, which look so "good," can lead to dire consequences. I am not an "I told you so" person, I strive to be a "pick you up, dust you off, and help you on the right path again" person. When I see someone choosing what I know will lead to heartbreak or harm, my desire is to point them toward good. As a believer that "only God is good" as His Word says, it is easy for me to find the help to give someone. Since I am often asked for counsel as a Pastor's wife, I know I always have an answer. Yes, you read that statement correctly, it is not arrogance, it is confidence in the One who is the answer. You see my counsel is often, "I don't know, but I know the One who does." The answer I give may be a scripture I read that morning or a word I heard taught recently. By filling my life with the good that comes from and is God, I will always have an answer, Jesus. He is the answer to the bad, the evil, the sad, the frightening, the disaster, the challenge, ... Yes, I can see good in all there is as long as my eyes are on the Giver of Life. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea." "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"

Tip of the Day 8/28/12

99 Days of Summer: In honor of the U.S. Tennis Open which started yesterday, why not try a match. Or try playing badmitton with the kids. Or at the very least toss a tennis ball around with the dog. It's still summer, enjoy it!

Word for Today, Trees: I love beautiful old stately trees. The ones that arch over a road, the pines you can hear the wind whistling through, Spanish moss hanging off the beautiful trees in the south. The leaves as they change color in the fall, in full leaf offering shade in the heat of summer, ones covered with snow or the first buds of spring. Trees represent strength and show us vulnerability as one lightening strike can split them and yet they survive. My Mom and I always talked about how we loved the time of the evening when the sun is going down and the trees look black against the sky. There is majesty in that moment. Some people bemoaned the fact we took down a 60 foot tree from our yard, but it had reached the end of it's life and we offered it a dignified way of leaving us. The Bible refers to trees from the very beginning, the Tree of Life, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, the Tree Jesus died on to bring us eternal life. We are also told heaven is filled with trees. Living in a part of the country filled with trees that bear every kind of fruit must be similar to what heaven will be like. But I can't wait to see the trees that bear a different kind of fruit every month. I hope this Fall as you enjoy the splendor of the colors and fruit the trees around you offer and that you will rejoice in the glory the Creator has blessed us with. "The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

 

Tip of the Day 8/27/12

99 Days of Summer: We are officially in the last week of summer. It has been a long one for the upper midwest this year, and even longer for a lot of you in other parts of the country. I am enjoying the changing of the seasons and it inspires me to begin preparing for the long midwest winter ahead. The foods of fall and winter are delicious with soups and sauces. B

aking takes a top priority once again. Of course I love the planning for and celebrating the holidays and all the decorating that goes with. Since it is still officially summer, and Michigan, unlike most states, doesn't start school until next week, I will offer some last summer fun ideas, to celebrate the end of the season. According to geocaching.com "Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location." Why not give it a try this week. It would be an awesome way to end the summer whether you are a little kid, or a grown up kid. :) Happy hunting.

 

 Word for Today, Alert: My husband is a headline reader. He will share a news headline with me, but when I ask for more info he says he didn't read the whole article. He does read full articles, but only when they appear really important. I don't usually watch the news. I stay informed on major issues and am well aware of current events, but discovered I can too easily become distracted or obse

ssed over things that aren't relevant to my desire to walk daily with my Savior. I know I need to be aware of international events, especially in the middle east. It is also important for me to be well informed of politicians positions so I can vote the way I feel led. Crisis' that occur are important to be aware of so I can pray for friends and family whether they are facing a fire, hurricane, or cancer. We live in perilous times and it is easy to become distracted from the things that we need to be focusing on. We can become so involved in a national interest that our spiritual and personal life can suffer. God's Word tells us to be alert, to be aware of the "seasons." The events we see unfolding all around us make us more aware of the impending return of our Savior. There is work for me to do as I walk this earth. I need to be on the alert, not distracted. Am I taking care of my walk with the Lord? Am I doing all I can to make others around me aware that there is a God who loves them and wants to spend eternity with them? Am I taking care of my body, home, and family? "Lord, save me from those things that might distract me. Please take them away and purify my heart." "Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed."

Tip of the Day 8/25/12

99 Days of Summer: As summer is winding down, the Farmer's Markets are filled with beautiful produce. Don't miss out on the bounty of beautiful fruits and veges that can fill your pantry and freezer for the winter ahead. Make a giant pot of spaghetti sauce from the tomatoes, peppers, and onions, pack them in Ball jars, freezer containers, or freezer baggies. Canning is time consuming, but anyone can find the time to do freezing. Don't miss out, you will happy to see that produce in your freezer in January.

Word for Today, Speech: "Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in pslams and hymns and spiritual songs." As I read and contemplated this verse this morning I saw a couple of things. First I need to be filled with God's Spirit. Without Him I am not able to fulfill the next part of this verse. That seems like a no brainer, but if what the world is lacking in speech is any indication

, apparently it is. According to this verse, if we are filled with the Spirit we will speak to each other in a way that pleases God and is pleasant to the hearer. We all know how much easier it is to learn something when it is in the form of a song. How did you learn the alphabet? The same is true of scripture and God's principle's. As we listen to and sing songs of praise and worship those words are becoming a part of us. Ever notice how you can hear a song from 1972 and still sing every word? Music is a powerful force. In case you were unaware, Satan was a worship leader in heaven before he became puffed up in pride and was eventually cast out. Music is not bad, it is what is done with it and what it can do to us that can be bad. I know someone who says listening to a certain style of music takes them down a path they want to avoid. I can listen to the same song and it will take me to a happy place. Our daily speech is peppered with lines of songs because music permeates our world. It is playing in every store and restaurant we enter. If we are listening to uplifting, encouraging music then our speech will be filled with encouraging, uplifting words. I love all kinds of music, but I want it to be words that will encourage, not tear down. What are you feeding your mind? "Sing with grace in your hearts."

Tip of the Day 8/24/12

99 Days of Summer: The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting cooler. Why not celebrate one of the last Fridays of summer with an outdoor movie night. Set up an outdoor theater in the backyard, make some fun drive-in food for dinner, hotdogs and snow cones would be great, pull out the lounge chairs and blankets, and enjoy a fun night in your own yard. If you aren't up to a do-it-yourself drive-in, take advantage of the earlier start time at a real drive-in and treat yourself and the kids to an old fashioned Friday night adventure.

Word for Today, Work: Yesterday I was thinking about retirement. Many people commented when I left the "work force," going to an office everyday, that I was retiring. Since that time I have often wondered how I found time to work outside my home. I have never been one to sit around doing nothing. I often think of my Grandma Hanks and how she spent her life. She was one of the hardest working women I have ever known. She sewed, for family and many regular customers in Tulsa. I admired her work so much and it inspired me to create beautiful garments. She was always cooking. Eating out was not a regular habit in her home. There was always something cooking in her kitchen. My Grandpa had a huge garden and she canned and preserved all kinds of things. I miss getting my pre-packaged cut and breaded okra from her. Her house was always clean. Her mother lived with her for many years and she cared for her until she died. She and my Grandpa

cooked the Wednesday night fellowship meal at their church for years. She really was a Proverbs 31 woman. She never did retire. A very good Pastor friend, Gayle Erwin, once said, "retiring is living where you want to live and doing what you love to do." So, Richard and I decided we retired when we moved to Michigan. We love our life here and are blessed by the "work" God has given us to do for Him. Have you found that place and peace in your life? We were not created to be miserable in this life. Because of Adam's sin, man was told he would have to labor for his needs. But, when Jesus came He said, "I have come to give you life more abundantly." Yes, we work, but we can find joy in our labor when we allow God to direct our path. "The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich."

 

Tip of the Day 8/23/12

99 Days of Summer: August is a great month for bargains, from clothes to beach equipment, but we often forget to check out the plant section in the store. We are looking at end of the season bedraggled plants in our yard that have weathered the heat and drought and don't realize we can still perk it up. When we bought our house there was an above ground pool in the yard. We did not want it and gave it to some friends. So, for a couple of summers we had a large round sandy spot in the backyard that we named the UFO landing pad. We were busy working on other areas and felt it would be too expensive to do the plantings for that area for a while. In August, a couple of years later, we were at Home Depot in the garden section and saw the clearance section filled with perennial plants marked down to 50 cents for quart sized pots. This seemed like the time to plant that bed. We figured at that price we didn't have anything to lose. We bought 10 plants and 5 years later we have had to divide them several times and they continue to blossoms and bring beauty. Only one died that first winter. So, check out the clearance section and put some life back into those bedraggled flower beds. You will be glad you did.

Word for Today, Him: Over the last couple of days several friends and family have welcomed new babies into the world. The love between a parent and child can feel like it is overwhelming your heart. No matter the circumstances by which the child comes into your life, birth, adoption, surrogate, they are yours, and the love is beyond what you ever imagined possible. As a parent we discover there is nothing, and I mean NOTHING, our child can do that will stop us from loving them. The struggles or heartbreak we may experience cause us to love them more. We even make statements that we would lay down our life for our children. Why is this love between parent and child so fierce? Because the One that gave us life, our Creator, is our Abba Father (daddy) and loved us first with this kind of love. He will always be waiting for us to turn around and run back into His arms. I am ministered to by these words to yet another Rich Mullins song, Grow

ing Young. "We are children no more, we have sinned and grown old. But our Father still waits and He watches down that road to see the crying [boys] come running back to His arms. And when I thought that I was all alone, it was Your voice I heard calling me back home. And I wonder now, Lord, what it was that made me wait so long. And what kept You waiting for me all that time. Was Your love stronger than my foolish pride. Will You take me back now, take me back and let me be your child." It is never too late, a parent will wait for their child no matter how long it takes. God is waiting. "I have loved you with an everlasting love." "...neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus."

 

Tip of the Day 8/22/12

99 Days of Summer: As summer winds down, it is a good time to take a look around the outside of the house, do repairs, and prep items for next year. Many of the outdoor products are on clearance. Do you need new tiki torches or beach chairs? What about grill tools or flip flops? We can get busy thinking about Fall and forget about these things. Now is the time to stock up on your summer needs. It will be great to start next summer with the items you need and know that you got them at clearance prices.

 Word for Today, Others: It is sad that stories that make the news about someone doing a good deed for someone else are often treated as the exception. An entire news cast will be devoted to all the tragedy and sorrow in the world, and then the closing story will be one little note about something good or kind. Wouldn't it be nice for the nightly news to be just the opposite? Everything from pol

itical ads to TV shows portray people as selfish, and seekers of their own selfish ambitions. Sadly, it is true in many cases. The Bible tells us this is the inherent nature of man, "lovers of self." But when we look beyond the news casts we find others doing good. There are still people that live by what is called "The Golden Rule." Seek to live a life that is for others first, and set aside selfish ambition. In doing so, you will find great reward. When Richard does marital counseling, pre or post, he always talks about putting the other person first. Living this way would solve many issues in life. "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well being."

Tip of the Day 8/21/12

99 Days of Summer: Back-to-School shopping is one of my favorite things to do. Even though I no longer have kids at home I have found a reason to still wander that section of the store. Each year I restock my Sunday School classroom with new crayons, glue, and pencils. It is the best time to buy new pens and tape for the home office. I usually find a few stocking stuffers and plenty of items for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I may not need a new "Trapper Keeper or Peachy folder" (if you know what those are, your age is showing :) ), but the bargains on those aisles are worth the trip down memory lane. Take advantage of the deals to restock and prepare for the holidays.

Word for Today, One Thing: As most of you know I have always been a big fan of Rich Mullins' music and writings. The man spoke plain truth that many others are unwilling to speak. I learned from him that if someone asks you to pray for them, do it right then. When an attendee at a concert would ask him to pray for them, he would pray right then because he couldn't promise he would remember to later. So, when one of you asks for prayer, I pray right then. The honesty in Rich's songs were straight from scripture, but were written in a way that spoke, and still speaks, to the everyday man that struggles with the world crowding in. He didn't gloss over the reality of our sinful nature, he was honest about weakness. One of his songs was titled "One Thing." "Who have I in heaven, but You, Jesus? What better could I hope to find down here on earth? I could cross the most distant reaches of this world, but I'd just be wasting my time, cause I'm cer

tain already, I'm sure I'd find You're my one thing." Are you always looking for that one thing more that you think will bring you happiness or satisfaction? Try subtracting instead of adding to your life. As another part of the song says, "Save me from those things that might distract me. Please take them away and purify my heart. I don't want to lose the eternal for the things that are passing. Cause what will I have when the world is gone?" The stuff of earth is not worth the things of heaven. Take a rest and stop striving. Strip away the ambition and goals, and rest at the Savior's feet. Be refreshed in Him, and I believe you will discover He is enough. He is the One Thing you can't live without. "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

 

Tip of the Day 8/20/12

99 Days of Summer: As we sat at the beach last night watching the sunset I was reminded of a line from one of my favorite movies, Jeremiah Johnson, "Spring's a long time time comin' this far north." This year has been such an odd year all across the US and our spring in Michigan started way back in March following a very mild winter. However, it was cool at the beach

last night and the sunset was way too early. We watched as kids seemed to be enjoying the last hoorahs of summer. I love fall and the changing of the seasons. It is one of the best parts of living in the upper midwest, we normally have four very distinct seasons, and each one is beautiful. I am grateful to live in a town that still follows the tradition of school starting after Labor Day. The kids will enjoy two more weeks of fun in the sun. Today, sit down and make a list of the things you had intended to do this summer, but didn't get around to. It isn't too late yet. If you have kids already in school, go do something as soon as they get home. They can get the homework done after the fun. There are 99 Days of Summer. Don't short yourself. "Summer's a long time comin' again."

  

Word for Today, Change: "The more things change, the more they stay the same." We live in a world of constant change. People move, jobs change, we revisit our childhood town and things we love are gone, my Nanny will be 99 this year and has seen the world go through changes she could never have imagined. It is said her generation experienced more change than all the generations before combined. My opening quote remains true through it all. We still desire to feed our families, have lasting friendships, find a good job and home, be out of debt, elect officials that will do what they say. As Solomon said, "Nothing is new under the sun." Change can cause anxiety or it can bring joy. Sometimes it feels like too much to take anymore change. I am so grateful that there is one thing, actually one person, in my life that has never and will never change. I have chosen to put my trust in Him. "The Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

 

Tip of the Day 8/18/12

99 Days of Summer: We have come to the end of our closet makeover and even the kids should have been able to get themselves dressed this morning in clothes that are perfect for a Saturday. Our last step is to plan for the week ahead. Based on the events of the next week, and the weather forecast, let the kids pick what they want to wear, and then lay it out each night. Stress levels will go way down. Pick the appropriate attire for yourself and lay it out the night before as well. Include, socks, under garments, shoes, and accessories. You will be amazed at the time saved. Enjoy your "new" wardrobe.

Word for Today, Self: Richard has said in the past that it always scares him to hear someone proclaim they are a "self-made man." Often we think, why would you want to brag about those results. I know I don't want to be held responsible for everything I am, good or bad. However, I recognize the truth, the bad results are my own doing. My parents aren't to blame, nor the school system or the go

vernment. I have the power within me to decide who I will be because I have a free will. So, my choice is to let God mold me into who He wants me to be. He created me, so I figure He knows how I am supposed to turn out. Sometimes the stretching hurts, or there is fire to go through, but I have to trust Him to know what I will be in the end. What hurts more is when I fight against what He is doing in me. Submission isn't always easy, but the results are beautiful. "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."

Tip of the Day 8/17/12

99 Days of Summer: Hopefully your closets look spectacular by now. It is a good feeling to be able to know what remains actually fits and you will enjoy wearing. Now is the stage to finish out your planning by putting accessories and shoes with the outfit. This pre-planning will save time and you will look forward to wearing each outfit. Be creative, use pictures from ads or Pinterest to help you plan. Have fun.

Word for Today, Basics: Over the past couple of years we have been making an effort to get back to the basics in life. We have never been big TV watchers and will go days without turning it on, so we cut back to the lowest package possible and could still keep our internet package. As you know, we eat at home much more than we out. We love to shop resale and garage sales, but still try to only buy needs. We are also trying more homemade soaps, etc. in order to cut out chemicals. There are numerous blogs and websites of people cutting out commercial products and becoming more self sufficient. Everyone does it for different reasons, health, more control of personal environment, financial concerns, care for our world and the misuse of it. It is a rewarding way to live and helps us understand our forefathers work ethics. It is also a way to draw closer to the Lord, as we depend on His provision and wisdom more than the world. As our world se

ems to be spinning out of control, it can feel good to be able to have control over something. This type of lifestyle and efforts can be good or can be extreme, as in the case of survivalist-extremist mentality. We do not know what we will face here on earth and being prepared is wise, but should not be at the expense of trusting God and His promises. We are told to be, "wise as serpents and as gentle as doves" and to recognize the season, not to be caught unaware and unprepared. But, we are also told not to cling too tightly to the things of this earth. Find that balance and walk in these days wisely. We have a guide book to take us through. "Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever."

Tip of the Day 8/16/12

99 Days of Summer: As the rain is falling outside and it is dark and cozy in my house, it is a great day to undertake the next step in the great closet makeover. Now that "outfits" have been put together, for yourself, or the kids, it is time to determine what the best use of them is. Some items in your closet are best for work, some for everyday at home wear, some fo

r special occasions, etc. By dividing the clothing into these type of categories you can more easily get dressed for work, know what you have to wear to that wedding or funeral, or what is comfy to wear for a day running errands instead of having to look through everything. This is also a great way to teach kids what is appropriate for certain occasions. By separating school clothes from play clothes, they can more easily chose their own clothing. This teaches and allows independence and helps you out as well. This is also the time to double check yourself on eliminating things. If you cannot figure out a purpose for an item, get rid of it. At the end of this step everything should be well sorted and hangars in the closet backwards. Over the next month, as you wear an item, turn the hangar around and you will begin to see what you really like to wear and begin to eliminate more unused items. You will also find it easier to determine if you actually need to purchase anything. More than likely you will find yourself subtracting more than adding.

 

Word for Today, Home: The past seven years have been an exciting time for us as we became home owners again after many years of flat living in Chicago and then a condo rental when we first moved to Michigan. We have always been good stewards of our home whether we rented or owned. This house has required a lot of maintenance and still has a ways to go, new windows, replacing the deck, and shed,

new fence. Taking out the tree and having the others trimmed is a part of being a good steward of this house we know is a gift from the Lord. As I was reading this morning I was reminded again that I need to be as good, actually better, a steward of my body which is called "a temple of the Holy Spirit." Richard painted houses for a while and he would say there are 50 foot paint jobs, 20 foot jobs, and 5 foot jobs. That 50 footer looks real good from 50 feet away, but get up close and you will see where the flaws and carelessness is. As a Christian we need to desire to be a close up job. When someone looks at us do we look real good from a distance, but as they get closer do they see us being careless? A close examination of our life should show that we haven't just been painted over, but have been sanded, repaired, washed, and lovingly restored. We can be like a 100 year old house that has been restored to it's original beauty. Are you taking care of your house, physically and spiritually? Is there anything that needs to be scraped off and restored, washed and lovingly repaired? Are you filling it with tacky, second hand furnishings that bring your value down. Or are you seeking to fill it with the best? From food to movies, fill yourself with the best. Feast on God's Word, surround yourself with friends that will lift you up, be a part of activities that will make you strong physically and spiritually, be a part of a local fellowship of believers and worship regularly with them. All of these things will make you a beautiful Temple for the Spirit to dwell in. "The house that is built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent."

Tip of the Day 8/15/12

99 Days of Summer: We are on Day 3 of our closet makeover. I hope you have followed through on steps one and two in at least one closet in your home. Today we will look at what is left in the closet and determine if it is practical and useful. A great way to get the most use out of all those clothes you have spent your hard earned money on is to pre-plan "outfits". Instead of spending time each day trying go figure out what to wear, you can plan out seasonal outfits in advance. It is easy to get stuck in a rut of always wearing the same top with the same pair of paints. Start with something easy, like your go to pair of black pants, pretty much any top you own can be worn with them and that can get old. We get bored with what we have and go buy another top. Try stepping out of your comfort zone and do some mixing it up. Look through the pictures of all those outfits you have pinned on Pinterest and come up with similar things from what is already in your closet. You will probably discover a lot of pieces you can put together. The goal is to do this with what you already own. This should be done with adult and childrens clothing. This is a big project, but is as much fun as going shopping. Anything that you cannot put into an outfit, or define a specific use for, should be removed from the closet. We have a few more steps to complete, and you will have a "new" wardrobe in your closets to start Fall.

Word for Today, Growth: As the lone Sunday School Teacher at Calvary Chapel Sunset Coast (there are a couple of awesome young ladies that fill in when needed) I have the privilege and responsibility of planning all of the lessons for the children. Years of home schooling prepared me for designing lessons for multi-aged classes. And without kids at home any longer, teaching each week fills a desire I have. It is a blessing and honor to be trusted by parents to help lead their children in their understanding of who our loving Savior is. As a teacher I believe that all we need to know is intertwined. There isn't a distinction between science and scripture or grammar and God's Word, all knowledge is imparted from our Creator. Because of this belief, I have never been one to just teach stories from the Bible. I want the children to learn how to apply the lesson behind the story. The theme I chose for 2012 was Wisdom. We have been learning a n

ew word each week and discovering the people in the Bible that lived out that word and how the kids can do the same. A few weeks ago I measured the kids and we talked about growing in wisdom. They learned that they will grow by reading God's Word. Each week I measure them and a few of them have grown in height. As they see what they have eaten during the week is making them grow physically, they are learning that consuming God's Word each day is helping them grow spiritually. It is so exciting to hear them share the wisdom they are gaining. As adults it is easy to feel like we have learned pretty much everything and we no longer need to be taught or study. It is easy to fall into that trap as a Christian. We stop attending church and our personal study time begins to suffer. We become anemic and start filling ourselves up with the junk food the world has to offer. We need the meat of God's Word and we need a good chef to prepare it and serve it to us. Find a church where you will be feed food that makes you grow. Not just rich food, or sweets, that make you feel full and later leave you wanting and needing real nourishment. Just as my kids in Sunday School are learning, knowledge of the Living God is the beginning of wisdom. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God."

 

Tip of the Day 8/14/12

99 Days of Summer: Today we will take the second step in paring down our closets. If you have children this is a good time of year to get their closet under control. For many of us September feels like a new beginning, so let's start with a fresh, organized closet. Now that you have sorted the clothing into categories, place like colors together within each category. This will help you to see that you own 15 black tops or only 1 green top. Now that they are sorted thoroughly we can begin eliminating and determining actual needs. Remove anything you just don't like, (allow the kids to do the same), remove stained or damaged items and determine if they can be and are worth repairing, try on anything you are unsure of the fit and be realistic before returning it to the closet. Today is the day to be ruthless. Get tough and clear it out!

Word for Today, Covenant: I love words. It is fun to pronounce an old word or learn a new one. Our daughter, Desrie', has a love for words as well. When she was little she loved to say Kankakee River State Park over and over. One of the most tragic things in modern society is the dumbing down of our language. Newspapers are written at a third grade reading level so anyone can read them. The newer versions of the Bible are written in "modern" language for more people to understand and that is good, but I love reading the older versions too because the language is so poetic, beautiful, and powerful. Take the word I have chosen today, covenant, there is power in this word, just like in the word vow. Today we would say promise instead of covenant. The word vow is still used for the words spoken at a wedding, but, sadly, many do not recognize the depth of them. Throughout the Bible God made covenants with man, and He alone has kept every one. His covenant with Noah, in the form of a rainbow, has never been broken and we can trust every other word He has spoken. He will fulfill every promise He has made to us. Man will fail us, but God's Word will never fail. He is the only constant we can place our whole trust in. "He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure."

 

Tip of the Day 8/13/12

99 Days of Summer: Even though many kids are starting back to school today, including two of my grandchildren, I am clinging to my belief that it is wrong and may verge on evil. :) There are 99 Days of Summer this year, Memorial Day to Labor Day, and our kids have been cheated!!! Maybe that was one reason I home schooled, I wanted control of how long vacations lasted. There is too much fun to be had, too many warm days left, the Berrien County Youth Fair is this week, so how could kids possible miss that! Don't get me wrong, I love school and believe in our kids having a good education, but I also believe it can be accomplished through the things they learn during vacation time, as much as it can during the school year. So, now that I have gotten that off my chest :) I will spend this week sharing some tips with you that in the words of Rich Mullins, "at the risk of being redundant, it may not thrill you, but i

t could not hurt." So, here goes: You (that is a collective "you") have too many clothes! As Americans we spend time staring into our closets claiming we have NOTHING to wear. This isn't the sermon about, "eat your dinner, there are starving children in China," it is stating the simple facts. As you know, I love to garage sale. I am constantly amazed at the wastefulness and over abundance of our society. Last week I hit the jackpot at a sale where the woman was bragging to a fellow shopper that she could not leave Walmart without having spent $100. It was evident she had a problem as I looked through tables piled with brand new clothes, many with tags still attached and many duplicates. I know this is an extreme case, but my time in Africa changed my view of consumerism forever. I love clothes and shoes as much as the next girl, ok, I love shoes more than a lot of girls, but I still try to be practical. A friend gave me an article from Time magazine about a study done by UCLA on the American home. It was very interesting, revealing the average family has 52 items on their refrigerator. The average family has 39 pair of shoes. The wife in the article, and I, upped that average. :) The U.S. has 3.1% of the world's kids and 40% of its toys. On average an American home has 438 books and magazines, 212 CD's, 90 DVD's, and 139 toys. So, to start this week, I challenge you to think about your closets first. Start by sorting the clothes into categories, shirts, dresses, pants, shorts, and then turn all the hangars backwards on the rod. Count the number of items in each category. Tomorrow we will work on Step 2 and see if you can become "below average."

 

Word for Today, Understanding: When tragedy strikes we all want to try to make sense of the situation. Whether it is the Trade Towers or the suicide of a young person that seemed to have so much potential, the sudden death of a loved one or news that someone close to us has experienced a serious accident, we look for the reasons why. The older I get, and the longer I walk with the Lord, the more I have come to understand that some things will just never make sense. God blessed us with a free will to make choices and so, sin entered the world. The tragedies we experience are not always related to our personal choices, contrary to what many espoused after the Trade Tower attacks, I don't believe it was judgement, it was sinful man acting out his free will and others paying the consequences, just like when Cain killed Able. My Mom didn't die last year because of something she did or didn't do. As my friend, Sony, reminded me this morning, the book of Ecclesiastes says, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die." God only, "knows the number of my days." So, I will rejoice in the birth of my newest great nephew, and I will mourn with my friend over the death of her son-in-law. I will continue to wonder why a young man chose to take his life last week and why my Mom suddenly died. But, like David in the Psalms, I will say, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him."

Tip of the Day 8/10/12

99 Days of Summer: DIY Week. Since it is already August and the kids are getting ready to head back to school, the days are getting shorter, and we have occasional days of a little cooler weather, the tendency is to start looking at those nesting type projects around our homes. We want to start baking, we are putting up fruit and veggies like our grandmothers before us, and today we should talk about Christmas. Any of you that follow my "Tip of the Day" regularly know I bring this topic up several times a year. Since I was a teenager I have loved making homemade gifts to give. I love receiving gifts that someone put a lot of thought into whether store bought or handmade. Realizing the giver took the time to really think about me as they chose that gift makes it delightful. One of the brain savers I have developed over the years due to the size of our family, is to choose a theme for gifts for the year. I choose a theme for Birthday gifts and am able to pick within that theme an item specifically fitted for each individual. This year the theme was beach towels. I have found everything from cute hooded towels for the little girls to beach mats for the older ones. It saves time, but is still personal as I individualize within the theme. Every other year I make pajamas for the entire family at Christmas. I skipped a year figuring they wouldn't notice and boy did hear about it. :) As a crafter I see many items throughout the year and think of things to make, but often they get put away and I forget about them. So, my challenge to myself, and to you, is before you do any more shopping, go through what you already have, consider what you can make, or personalize. I picked up several of one generic item yesterday with specific people in mind and will be personalizing them. If you are a Pineterester, take the time today, or this weekend, to go back through what you pinned, see what you have on hand, and get busy DIYing some awesome gifts for this year. Perfection isn't the key ingredient, your love and time are.

 

Word for Today, Separated: There is an old saying, " The only things certain in life are death and taxes." Benjamin Franklin Since man began venturing out once they became adults to settle new lands or seek adventure, families have been separated. Abraham was sent many days journey from his family and told to leave them behind. Missionaries often left to travel, in the days before airplanes, to countries across the ocean and never saw their family again. Many young men and families set out from our eastern shores of America to settle the west. Due to Richard's years in the Nuclear industry working in start up of new facilities we moved frequently and have only spent a brief time of the past 32 years living near family. We have daughters and grandchildren from Chicago to California. As difficult as it is to be separated from family in this age of technology, imagine what it was like in the days before even reliable mail service, much less phones, email, and Skype. When we moved to Africa 13 years ago I had never been there before, so I know that feeling of leaving behind everything familiar. Without email I might have gone a little loopy. Today I can Skype with my precious grandchildren in Shreveport, I can chat all day with friends from Nairobi to down the street without ever leaving my house. I don't always know when the next time is I will be able to hold them in my arms, but I am grateful for the technology that allows me to remain connected. As we go through this life it is guaranteed we will be separated from someone we love, whether by a move, or death, or their choice, but there is One who will never move away from us. Even if we make the choice to not be with Him, He will always be right there waiting for you to speak His name. His love is the ONLY thing that comes with a lifetime, and eternal, unconditional, permanent, fixed, unchanging, no fine print, guarantee. How can you pass up an offer like that? "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Tip of the Day 8/9/12

99 Days of Summer: DIY Week continues with the answers to the zucchini questions that were posed to me after my Tip on Tuesday. 

1)  Approximately 2 - 3 large zucchini per quart bag for the shredded, chopped, and noodled.

2)  To make zucchini noodles I used a mandolin on a fairly thin setting. First I removed both ends, then sliced length wise to form wide noodles to use in lasagna. They can be used in place of pasta in any baked dish.

3)  Using the zucchini as pasta is a great way to hide it. There are a lot of recipes for everything from quiche to pancakes with zucchini hidden in them. Google kid friendly zucchini recipes.

4)  Zucchini freezes very well. The only one I pre-froze were the halves. I cut them in half length wise, scooped out the seeds using a melon baller, put in the freezer on a cookie sheet. After they were frozen I transferred them in meal size portions to baggies and placed back in the freezer. These I will "stuff" like I would bell peppers. The chopped I will use in things like fritatas or quiche. The shredded will go in baked goods. I hope this inspires everyone to think outside the "spaghetti" box and discover ways to have good veges in your diet all winter long.

 

Word for Today, Believing: "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day." This verse, 2 Timothy 1:12, is what I call my "life verse." It contains the promise that even when I am not faithful or fail or stumble, my Savior is faithful, and someday I will see Him face to face. I was sharing with someone yesterday about a broken relationship in my life that grieves my heart. The situation is always on my mind and has caused me so much sorrow. As I have prayed for the relationship to be restored, and there has been no change, I recently reached the point where I felt I no longer knew what to pray for. The Lord brought me peace in that God's Word tells me that when I don't know what to pray, God's Holy Spirit will pray on my behalf. This brought me so much comfort, but the sorrow I awaken to each day is still there. As I was reading this morning, my "life verse" was a part of a devotion written by someone grieving. I have never thought of the verse in that context. For the first time I saw in it a promise about the broken relationship with a person, not just my relationship with God. The person that I have been praying to be restored to was dedicated to the Lord and a commitment made. That promise to the Lord was fulfilled on my behalf and so I now can have the confidence that God will complete His promise. I don't know how, because in my human eyes it looks impossible, but I have confidence in His promise. Is there something in your life that looks impossible to you? Commit it to the Lord, and then trust Him to do His part. He, alone, is faithful. "I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me."

Tip of the Day 8/7/12

99 Days of Summer: Day 2 of DIY Week. One of the considerations in my planning for my sixth month shopping trip this time was, of course how can I save even more money, but also what things can I have more control over that will be healthier for my family. I began by looking at all of the cleaning products I use. I love a clean house and want the fragrance of cleanin everything from laundry to my furniture. Just a little research led me to numerous websites that provide the recipes for making almost any cleaner I could possibly need. So, I bought all of the ingredients and will be making everything from laundry soap to jewelry cleaner. And one of the great things is I accomplished both of my goals. I saved over $200 and will have healthy products to use. All of the recipes are Super Simple, usually 2 - 3 ingredients that are common to most of the items. So, I will spend a couple of hours mixing them up. I would say that is worth a $200 savings. Here are a couple of websites with good recipes: thefrugalgirls.com

thefarmersnest.com

diynatural.com

Word for Today, Character: Richard and I were playing a game last night that includes questions to get to know each other better. Yes, even after 33 years together we still don't know everything. :) One of the questions I had was what actions by a man totally turn me off. I thought about this in regard to anyone, and the top one is lying and the second is treating others as "beneath yourself. " If you have ever been accused of lying you know it is horrible accusation. It can be devastating to the accused. If you have ever been lied to, you know the devastation that can cause. Based on the number of scriptures that address the topic of character, I believe it is something God considers very serious. It has been said,"reputation is who you are known as in public, but character is who you are even when no one can see." We are told in scripture that even the things done in secret will someday be shouted from the rooftops, our secret sins will find us out, the wicked will be cut off, the Lord will not leave them in power. We are also told, the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His righteous ones. So whether you are the accused or the victim of someones unrighteous behavior, know that God is on your side. "I have never seen the righteous forsaken." "Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. But all sinners will be destroyed." Do you have character, or just a reputation?

Tip of the Day 8/06/12

99 Days of Summer: DIY Week! Yesterday I was having a conversation at "Cafe' Calvary" with the other ladies from our congregation. We were discussing the need we all are feeling to get back to the basics, to take control of the products we are using, and the food we are feeding our families. This seems to be a phenomenon that is cutting across all walks of life if the explosion of interest in Pinterest is any indication. As you surf through the pins on so many of the boards you will find numerous recipes for homemade EVERYTHING. We are concerned about the environment, we are concerned about our health, we are concerned about our finances, and they are all reflected in these types of actions. As I have shared before, one of the reasons I decided to come out of the full-time work force was to have more control of our home: cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. Of course the reduction in income had to be considered and

we took steps before, and continue to do so now, in order for us to live on the reduced income. After two years I continue to look for ways to reduce our outgo and keep us healthy. Prices continue to rise and it is not always easy to stay ahead of the curve. One of the greatest ways we have reduced our outgo is by eating at home. If you followed my thread last week, you know we take a big bite out of expenditures by the type of shopping we do. This enables us to eat at home virtually everyday and eating out is a special treat, not the humdrum norm it has become for many families. Having lived in a city 3 flat for many years and then a condo for our first few years in Michigan I did not have the opportunity to have a true garden. Since coming home, I have been considering and researching the possibility. For various reasons it has not been the right time. But this does not mean I cannot take advantage of the cost savings and health benefits of freezing and canning fruits and vegetables. No matter where you live you can find fresh produce to purchase. It might seem like a lot in the beginning, but when you consider the overall benefits, the cost is negligible. Last week I purchased a 1/2 bushel of zucchini for only $9. That is A LOT of zucchini, but it is such an awesome ingredient to cook with and can easily be frozen. Cut the zucchini in half length wise, remove the seeds, and freeze. Cut in strips, also lengthwise, to form "lasagna noodles," and freeze. Cube or shred, squeeze out as much liquid as possible using cheese cloth or paper towels and freeze in recipe size batches. Onions, bell peppers, carrots, corn, peas, green beans, and potatoes can all be diced, spread out on a cookie sheet, frozen, then bagged for freezing in recipe size portions. This is the same formula for freezing fruit. So, even if you don't have the time to can, freezing will bring the same benefits. You will be glad you took the time in the middle of the winter as you enjoy the "fruits" of your labor.

 

 Word for Today, Gracious: I was born and raised in what some consider, The South. Not the Deep South, but South enough that we say Y'all, drink Dr. Pepper, eat fried chicken after church on Sunday, and still address our elders with respect. We also say, "bless your heart," which in recent years has had it's true meaning revealed. :) One of the parts of my heritage as a part of The South has always been what I considered polite speech. Coarse language was not common place until recent years. When someone used a four letter word it was whispered. That is not to say, language was not used, I am well aware it was. It just was not a part of everyday, polite, conversation. The phenomenon of coarse language in everyday speech has not just crept into The South, it is world wide and sadly cuts across every walk of life and age group. I have heard young children using language I would have had my mouth washed out with soap for. Women that I have respected throw a word into a conversation, and my opinion immediately changes. Everyday I see postings, from Christian friends, on FB that even if the post itself is fine, the title of the source is offensive. My question is, what are you doing reading those sites and then thinking it is ok to repost them? Sadly, Pastors are even using language from the pulpit trying to be more relatable to their congregation. What we have lost sight of in the language so easily tossed about today is the level it has brought us down to. A woman "cussing like a sailor" is not beautiful to behold. It is like trying to put lipstick on a pig. A man that uses foul language throughout a conversation just sounds stupid. I would rather be in a conversation where words of intelligence, that I might not understand but can learn from, flow out. Teenagers that can't hold a conversation without it being peppered with the choice words of the day just prove the dumbing down of society. If we all purposed in our hearts to guard our mouths, I believe we could change so much around us. We need to consider that what is coming out of us is what we're putting in. Don't be afraid to tell someone the language they are using is offensive. The main headlines last week were about "freedom of speech," well, I think in the midst of that should be the freedom of polite speech. Chose your words carefully and offend no one. "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth."