I am reading a good book that I bought a long while ago called A Message from God by Retha and Aldo McPherson. It is a book that challenges the stagnant Christian--a Christian who is complacent, and not on fire for Him.
Even though I am not that far in the book, I read a paragraph that made me realize why people do not always hear God's voice, and are not completely in-tune with Him.
"The presence of sin in our lives is like a wall between God and us, keeping us from hearing His voice. When people say they feel like their prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, I know it is impossible. It's not the ceiling that keeps you from making contact with God. It's sin; those things that seem insignificant in our eyes, like jealousy, bitterness, your own strong will, and pride. God hates pride."
Do you have any unconfessed sins, which are keeping you from hearing His voice? Ask God to forgive you of your sins.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
You Gotta Have Faith
Below is something that I needed to read. I have learned that when we are in the midst of trials, "complete" faith in God is what will get us through it.
"But I have prayed especially for you, that your faith may not fail, and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren." - Luke 22:32
"Christian, take good care of thy faith, for recollect that faith is the only means whereby thou canst obtain blessings. Prayer cannot draw down answers from God's throne except it be the earnst prayer of the man who believes. Faith is the telegraphic wire which links earth to Heaven, on which God's messages of love fly so fast that before we call He answers, and while we are yet speaking he hears us. But if that telegraphic wire of faith be snapped, how can we obtain the promise? Faith links me with the Divinity. Faith clothes me with the power of Jehovah. Faith insures every attribute of God in my defense. It helps me defy the hosts of hell. It makes me march triumphant over the necks of my enemies. But without faith how can I receive anything from the Lord?"
- Spurgeon
"Faith honors God; God honors faith."
If you lack faith, pray and ask God to help you in this area.
"But I have prayed especially for you, that your faith may not fail, and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren." - Luke 22:32
"Christian, take good care of thy faith, for recollect that faith is the only means whereby thou canst obtain blessings. Prayer cannot draw down answers from God's throne except it be the earnst prayer of the man who believes. Faith is the telegraphic wire which links earth to Heaven, on which God's messages of love fly so fast that before we call He answers, and while we are yet speaking he hears us. But if that telegraphic wire of faith be snapped, how can we obtain the promise? Faith links me with the Divinity. Faith clothes me with the power of Jehovah. Faith insures every attribute of God in my defense. It helps me defy the hosts of hell. It makes me march triumphant over the necks of my enemies. But without faith how can I receive anything from the Lord?"
- Spurgeon
"Faith honors God; God honors faith."
If you lack faith, pray and ask God to help you in this area.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Sunscreen Application Is Vital
It is officially summer! And for those of us who live in a state where there are only a couple of months out of the year where the sun shines most of the time during the summer, it is paramount to have a sunscreen on to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays.
If you are looking to prevent wrinkles--research shows that wrinkles are caused by consistent sun exposure over many years--and cancer, sunscreen is absolutely vital! It is important to not only wear sunscreen on sunny days, but cloudy days as well.
Personally, I would rather have pale skin, then show signs of aging at a young age. You are never too young to start wearing sunscreen. Our daughter is 3 years-old, and I apply sunscreen to her skin almost every time we are out in the sun, and especially if I know we will be in the sun for an extended period of time. I wish I would have started wearing sunscreen when I was younger.
On Rockwell Nutrition's Web site, you will find two sunscreens that contain safe, natural ingredients, and a list of toxic and safe ingredients in sunscreens. To view this information, click on Rockwell Nutrition's link on the left-hand side of this page. Once you are at Rockwell Nutrition's Web site, scroll down to "Supplement Categories," located on the left-hand side of the homepage, click on "Face and Body Care," and then click on "Suncreen & Sunblock." I found the information to be helpful when looking for a good sunscreen.
Do you apply sunscreen daily? Please make it a part of your morning skincare regimen. And keep in mind that if you do apply sunscreen, make sure that it is the last product you put on your face before you apply makeup.
If you are looking to prevent wrinkles--research shows that wrinkles are caused by consistent sun exposure over many years--and cancer, sunscreen is absolutely vital! It is important to not only wear sunscreen on sunny days, but cloudy days as well.
Personally, I would rather have pale skin, then show signs of aging at a young age. You are never too young to start wearing sunscreen. Our daughter is 3 years-old, and I apply sunscreen to her skin almost every time we are out in the sun, and especially if I know we will be in the sun for an extended period of time. I wish I would have started wearing sunscreen when I was younger.
On Rockwell Nutrition's Web site, you will find two sunscreens that contain safe, natural ingredients, and a list of toxic and safe ingredients in sunscreens. To view this information, click on Rockwell Nutrition's link on the left-hand side of this page. Once you are at Rockwell Nutrition's Web site, scroll down to "Supplement Categories," located on the left-hand side of the homepage, click on "Face and Body Care," and then click on "Suncreen & Sunblock." I found the information to be helpful when looking for a good sunscreen.
Do you apply sunscreen daily? Please make it a part of your morning skincare regimen. And keep in mind that if you do apply sunscreen, make sure that it is the last product you put on your face before you apply makeup.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A Noble Wife
I read Proverbs 31:10-31 today, which describes how a wife/mom should be. Please read the following scriptures about a wife of noble character, and make an effort to apply it to your life.
"10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
- Proverbs 31:10-31
"10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
- Proverbs 31:10-31
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Countenance :)
Today, I read Proverbs 15, because I have been reading Proverbs chapters according to what day of the month it is. While reading Proverbs this morning, I read how our problems could quite possibly be related to our countenance, which made me think. And you might be wondering how that could be. Well, if you read Proverbs 15:13, it explains it in a short sentence. Proverbs 15:13 states, "A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken."
Below explains what the sidenote in my Bible says about Proverbs 15:13. It really made me think about what I might be portraying while out in public.
"Proverbs 15:13 says that a glad, happy heart makes a cheerful countenance. The Bible uses the word countenance in many places, so I think we should pay attention to it. Your countenance is your face, the way you look. God is concerned about how we look because either we are walking advertisements for Jesus or we are walking advertisements for Satan. That is why it is important that we learn how to have a cheerful countenance and a pleasant look on our faces.
It is amazing how much more comfortable and secure we are when we smile at one another and how much discomfort and insecurity we cause one another when we go around with a sour look on our faces.
Sometimes our problems are not caused by the devil as we might like to assume--they are the results of the way we feel and act. We need to cheer up. When we relax and smile, it makes us (and everyone around us) feel better."
The part of the paragraph above that spoke to me is the part where it says, "God is concerned about how we look because either we are walking advertisements for Jesus or we are walking advertisements for Satan."
So, even if you are in the pit right now and have many hardships in your life, put a smile on your face and know that God has your back. I needed to read Proverbs 15 today, because even though I try to make light of the hardships in my life, I have days when I do not feel like smiling. Just remember... It is not hard to smile--all it takes is muscles :) Strengthen your smiling muscles!
Below explains what the sidenote in my Bible says about Proverbs 15:13. It really made me think about what I might be portraying while out in public.
"Proverbs 15:13 says that a glad, happy heart makes a cheerful countenance. The Bible uses the word countenance in many places, so I think we should pay attention to it. Your countenance is your face, the way you look. God is concerned about how we look because either we are walking advertisements for Jesus or we are walking advertisements for Satan. That is why it is important that we learn how to have a cheerful countenance and a pleasant look on our faces.
It is amazing how much more comfortable and secure we are when we smile at one another and how much discomfort and insecurity we cause one another when we go around with a sour look on our faces.
Sometimes our problems are not caused by the devil as we might like to assume--they are the results of the way we feel and act. We need to cheer up. When we relax and smile, it makes us (and everyone around us) feel better."
The part of the paragraph above that spoke to me is the part where it says, "God is concerned about how we look because either we are walking advertisements for Jesus or we are walking advertisements for Satan."
So, even if you are in the pit right now and have many hardships in your life, put a smile on your face and know that God has your back. I needed to read Proverbs 15 today, because even though I try to make light of the hardships in my life, I have days when I do not feel like smiling. Just remember... It is not hard to smile--all it takes is muscles :) Strengthen your smiling muscles!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Expectations
"Expectations kill relationships--especially with God." That sentence is short, to the point, and something to remember!
Friday, June 10, 2011
7 Edible Weeds
Did you know that you can eat weeds? I guess I never really thought about it. I learn a lot from the news articles I get sent to my email account, which is why I like to share the ones that I find interesting.
"Along with gardening season comes the battle with weeds. They compete for soil nutrients, sunlight and they enjoy disturbed soil. But did you know that many common garden weeds are actually edible? In some cases, they're quite nutritious and delicious.
The following is a list of seven common edible weeds. At least one of them, and, depending on where in North America you live, perhaps a handful of them may be growing in your yard right now.
While it's exciting to find free food and medicinal plants growing in your yard, be sure you positively identify your plants before eating. If you're not sure, contact your local university extension.
- YELLOW DOCK/BURDOCK: The long dock taproot is used as a food and as a medicinal herb. It is a good source of dietary fiber and certain minerals, including calcium and potassium. While it was occasionally sold at small health food stores, dock has started appearing in mainstream groceries like Whole Foods, and it may be growing in your yard right now!
- LAMB'S QUARTER: The leaves of lamb's quarter, also known as goosefoot, have a pleasant nutty flavor and are excellent added fresh to lettuce salads, or cooked and used as a replacement for spinach. Being related to amaranth and quinoa, lamb's quarter seeds are also edible and a good source of protein, vitamin A and other vitamins and minerals.
- DANDELION: Everyone knows what a dandelion looks like, and that dandelion greens are sold as a high-end salad green at groceries and fine restaurants, but people do not often put the two together. Yes, this humble sidewalk-crack weed is edible. The leaves taste slightly bitter and are high in iron. Also, if you can gather enough dandelion flowers, recipes abound for dandelion wine.
- NETTLES: Nettles are often one of the least welcome garden weeds because of their sting. However, the leaves may be harvested, cooked, and used as you would use spinach. They are particularly good cooked in soup. The leaves can also be dried for preservation. Nettle provides vitamin C, protein and many minerals, including iron. Nettle can also be used as a vegetarian source of rennet for cheese-making.
- AMARANTH: Also known as pigweed when it grows as a weed, amaranth is in the same family as quinoa. It was historically one of the staple foods of the Incas and is high in vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, K, B6, and calcium and iron, and the seeds are a good source of protein. Its leaves can be cooked and its seeds can be harvested and cooked the same as quinoa. The mature root is also edible.
- PLANTAIN: Not to be confused with the banana, plantain the weed, like dandelions, are a humble sidewalk weed. There are broad and thin-leafed varieties. Their young leaves can be used fresh, and their mature leaves should be cooked. However, they are especially known for their medicinal healing qualities, for instance as a poultice on insect bites, rashes or cuts. They are said to have many healing qualities including helping with coughs and bronchitis.
- PURSLANE: Purslane is a succulent and its leaves, stems, and flowers can be eaten fresh or cooked and tastes like spinach. It is a good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is high in omega-3 fatty acids. It can be found growing in all 50 states."
"Along with gardening season comes the battle with weeds. They compete for soil nutrients, sunlight and they enjoy disturbed soil. But did you know that many common garden weeds are actually edible? In some cases, they're quite nutritious and delicious.
The following is a list of seven common edible weeds. At least one of them, and, depending on where in North America you live, perhaps a handful of them may be growing in your yard right now.
While it's exciting to find free food and medicinal plants growing in your yard, be sure you positively identify your plants before eating. If you're not sure, contact your local university extension.
- YELLOW DOCK/BURDOCK: The long dock taproot is used as a food and as a medicinal herb. It is a good source of dietary fiber and certain minerals, including calcium and potassium. While it was occasionally sold at small health food stores, dock has started appearing in mainstream groceries like Whole Foods, and it may be growing in your yard right now!
- LAMB'S QUARTER: The leaves of lamb's quarter, also known as goosefoot, have a pleasant nutty flavor and are excellent added fresh to lettuce salads, or cooked and used as a replacement for spinach. Being related to amaranth and quinoa, lamb's quarter seeds are also edible and a good source of protein, vitamin A and other vitamins and minerals.
- DANDELION: Everyone knows what a dandelion looks like, and that dandelion greens are sold as a high-end salad green at groceries and fine restaurants, but people do not often put the two together. Yes, this humble sidewalk-crack weed is edible. The leaves taste slightly bitter and are high in iron. Also, if you can gather enough dandelion flowers, recipes abound for dandelion wine.
- NETTLES: Nettles are often one of the least welcome garden weeds because of their sting. However, the leaves may be harvested, cooked, and used as you would use spinach. They are particularly good cooked in soup. The leaves can also be dried for preservation. Nettle provides vitamin C, protein and many minerals, including iron. Nettle can also be used as a vegetarian source of rennet for cheese-making.
- AMARANTH: Also known as pigweed when it grows as a weed, amaranth is in the same family as quinoa. It was historically one of the staple foods of the Incas and is high in vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, K, B6, and calcium and iron, and the seeds are a good source of protein. Its leaves can be cooked and its seeds can be harvested and cooked the same as quinoa. The mature root is also edible.
- PLANTAIN: Not to be confused with the banana, plantain the weed, like dandelions, are a humble sidewalk weed. There are broad and thin-leafed varieties. Their young leaves can be used fresh, and their mature leaves should be cooked. However, they are especially known for their medicinal healing qualities, for instance as a poultice on insect bites, rashes or cuts. They are said to have many healing qualities including helping with coughs and bronchitis.
- PURSLANE: Purslane is a succulent and its leaves, stems, and flowers can be eaten fresh or cooked and tastes like spinach. It is a good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is high in omega-3 fatty acids. It can be found growing in all 50 states."
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Thou, Oh Lord
This song, "Thou, Oh Lord," by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, really touched my heart! Please take the time to listen to it.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Prudence
On June 1st, I decided to start reading Proverbs, since it has enough chapters for each day of the month. If you do not know where to start reading in the Bible, Proverbs is a great place to start. Even if you read all of Proverbs month after month, you will still learn something new from each chapter. I do have to say, though, that since I had a busy week last week, I have not kept up with my reading. I need to make it my mission that I read the Bible daily this summer, because we can all get caught up in other things that we forget what the most important item on our to-do list should be each day.
Anyways, when I read Proverbs 1 on June 1st, the side note really spoke to me. It says, "Proverbs 1:1-4 teaches us that wisdom is full of prudence. Prudence means "good management." Prudent people do not operate in extremes. They are balanced and conduct themselves wisely. I encourage you to be prudent in every situation."
Do you ever find yourself unbalanced? I know that I do from time-to-time, and sometimes it takes a while to get back into balance.
Let's all make an effort to be prudent everyday. Make it your prayer to ask God to help you in this area, if this is something that you need to work on.
A good prayer to pray would be "God, I pray that you will help me to be wise. Help me to hear and increase in learning, to acquire skill, and to attain to sound counsel so that I may steer my course rightly."
Anyways, when I read Proverbs 1 on June 1st, the side note really spoke to me. It says, "Proverbs 1:1-4 teaches us that wisdom is full of prudence. Prudence means "good management." Prudent people do not operate in extremes. They are balanced and conduct themselves wisely. I encourage you to be prudent in every situation."
Do you ever find yourself unbalanced? I know that I do from time-to-time, and sometimes it takes a while to get back into balance.
Let's all make an effort to be prudent everyday. Make it your prayer to ask God to help you in this area, if this is something that you need to work on.
A good prayer to pray would be "God, I pray that you will help me to be wise. Help me to hear and increase in learning, to acquire skill, and to attain to sound counsel so that I may steer my course rightly."
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