Benefits of Honey and Cinnamon

As I have recently blogged, lately, I have been trying to get into a more healthy and all-natural lifestyle. Two things that I have always found to be fun and yummy home remedies are honey and cinnamon, and below is a list of health problems that honey and cinnamon help!  Enjoy!

1) HEART DISEASES: Apply honey and cinnamon powder on bread instead of using jam or butter and eat it regularly for breakfast.


2) ARTHRITIS: Apply a paste made of the two ingredients on the affected part of the body and massage slowly.

3) HAIR LOSS: Apply a paste of hot olive oil, a tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath, leave it for 15 min and wash.


4) BLADDER INFECTIONS: Mix cinnamon powder and honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink.


5) TOOTHACHE: Apply a paste of cinnamon powder and honey and on the aching tooth.


6) CHOLESTEROL: Mix cinnamon powder and honey in boiled water or green tea and drink.


7) COLDS: Make a glass of lukewarm honey water mixed with cinnamon powder to help boost your immune system during the cold season. It may also help to clear your sinuses.


8) INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on a spoonful of honey taken before food relieves acidity.


9) LONGEVITY: Regularly take tea made with honey and a little cinnamon powder.


10) PIMPLES: Mix honey with cinnamon powder and apply paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash away the next morning.


11) OBESITY: To reduce weight, daily drink a mixture of a teaspoon of honey with half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder boiled in water with an empty stomach in the morning about half an hour before breakfast.  Cinnamon has an insulin boosting property (water soluble compounds called polyphenol type A polymers)which have the ability to boost insulin activity about 20 fold and can benefit people who have high sugar levels (obese people, pre-diabetics and diabetics ). Also, read the honey hibernation diet theory to find out how honey contributes to the metabolizing of undesirable cholesterol and fatty acid, provides a fuelling mechanism for the body, keep blood sugar levels balanced, and let our recovery hormones get on with burning body fat stores.


12) BAD BREATH: Gargle with honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water so that breath stays fresh throughout the day.


Honey plus cinnamon together besides being a amazing potential cure for so many illnesses, their total fragrant, sweet and warm taste is also a perfect match for the palate. The combination adds a magic effect to the taste of cakes, breads, biscuits and rolls and is known to make many winning recipes in the world of delicious food, such as the famous, easy-to-make, kids' favourite classic - honey and cinnamon butter toast!

Scripture for the Week -- 08/30/10

John 15:9
"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love."


 

Quote for the Day! -- 08/26/10

"A true wife makes a man's life nobler, stronger, grander, by the omnipotence of her love 'turning all the forces of manhood upward and heavenward.' While she clings to him in holy confidence and loving dependence she brings out in him whatever is nobles and richest in his being. She inspires him with her courage and earnestness. She beautifies his life. She softens whatever is rude and harsh in his habits or his spirit. She clothes him with the gentler graces of refined and cultured manhood. While she yields to him and never disregards his lightest wish, she is really his queen, ruling his whole life and leading him onward and upward in every proper path.

- JR Miller

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Currently, all I have inserted in my household notebook are my daily/weekly routines and reminders with cleaning tips, but I am wanting to expand it and make it the "book for all household needs" type of thing. I am currently typing up home remedies that I will eventually print and add to my notebook for quick, easy access. And along with that, I will include the following.

Since I am in my first trimester of pregnancy, my sense of smell is enormous! Also, being the one who is in charge of cleaning the house, I know that many cleaning supplies that are sold in stores are actually harmful for me to inhale. So, a friend of mine showed me a list of natural uses for things like Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide. Below are two lists of things which those two items can be used! Taken from 1 Green Generation, I hope it is helpful to you!

BAKING SODA







1. Shampoo Replacement. A Non-Toxic, Frugal Way To Wash Your Hair Without Buying Shampoo explains it all in detail. Try it!

2. Deodorant. How To Make Your Own Deodorant (A Very Simple Recipe). I encourage you to try that as well – so simple!

3. Air Freshener & Deodorizer. Brilliantly easy, all you need to do is open up a box of baking soda, or dump a pile of it into a bowl, and leave it in an offensively smelling area – your fridge, your closet, your pet area, you car, wherever! (Change it out every 3-6 months.)

4. Carpet and Garment Deodorizer. Just sprinkle a bit over the offensive area and let it sit. A little while later, you can vacuum or shake it out.

5. Counter, sink, and tub Cleaner. Just like using Bon Ami or some other powdered cleaner, sprinkle it onto the surface and rub with a wet cloth. Be careful on delicate surfaces – test it out first to make sure it won’t scratch, though it’s more delicate than most powdered cleaners. To shine the surface afterward, you can spray a bit of vinegar and wipe clean.

6. Jewelry and Silverware Cleaner. You can use a paste of a baking soda mixed with a bit of water (3:1 or so), or if that doesn’t work well enough you can try replacing the water with hydrogen peroxide.

7. Coffee, Tea, Rust, and Hard Water Stain Remover. Scrub with the same 3:1 (baking soda: water) paste, and it should do the trick!

8. Pot and Pan Cleaner. Sprinkle some baking soda onto your rag or sponge, and clean your pots – it will take off many stains.

9. Drain Unclogger. If water hasn’t yet backed up, pour 1 cup of baking soda down, followed by 3 cups boiling water. Repeat if the drain doesn’t clear. If the drain still doesn’t clear, follow with 1 cup of vinegar. This makes it bubble, fizz and usually that does the trick! If this does not work, we usually buy enzymes from the local health food store.

10. Cat Litter Extender. If your cat is persnickety about clean litter, in addition to cleaning the litter daily, you can shake a light layer of baking soda onto the litter and mix it up.

11. Garlic Smell Eliminator. Cutting boards and other surfaces can be cleaned with a thick paste of vinegar and baking soda. Apply this paste and let it sit for 10-15 minutes – it will both clean and deodorize.

12. Bath Softener. If you want to feel extra soft and silky, dissolve 2 cups of baking soda in your bath water. This works well if you have itchy skin from bites or hives also.

13. Exfoliator. I use the same mixture for my hair (above) as a light exfoliator on my face every couple of weeks. It’s quite rejuvenating.

14. Homemade Toothpaste. You can make your own toothpaste by using two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of peroxide. I don’t do this regularly, but I have done it in a pinch.

15. Denture or Retainer Soak. You can soak these overnight in a glass with water and baking soda. It will leave them clean and deodorized.

16. Fill small holes in Drywall. Sometimes you find yourself without spackle. Ah, just mix a bit of white toothpaste with some baking soda and fill the holes! Let it dry completely before you paint or anything – but you might find you don’t need to paint!

17. Fire Extinguisher. Great for a grease fire in the kitchen, a car fire, or another small fire. Just sprinkle it over the fire until the fire goes out. Keep it in your kitchen for sure!

18. Shoe Deodorizer. Sprinkle a small amount in your shoe, or put some in an old sock and tie the sock – then stuff it in your shoe overnight.

19. Ant, Roach, and Flea Deterrent. If you have ants or roaches, sprinkle baking soda in the areas where they are coming in the house. If you have fleas on the lawn, sprinkle baking soda around the areas where you and your pets walk by. This helps. I’ve written other tips for organic ant control here. You can try it with snails and rabbits, too!

20. Cook with it. Lots of yummy things. Like pancakes!

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE







1. Whiten Your Whites and Brighten Your Brights. Works fabulously as a bleach alternative that you can also use on colors. Just put the hydrogen peroxide in the bleach receptacle in washer.

2. Stain Remover. Works very well on blood, if you get to it fairly quickly – I learned this from Matt’s mom who is a nurse! Just pour a bit on a cloth and dab at your clothing; if it has sat for a while, pour some on and let it sit for a couple of hours. Also, some people just have a chemical difference in their sweat that leaves yellow underarm stains on white clothing. Or wine stains on a white blouse? Again, pour some hydrogen peroxide on the stain and let it sit a couple hours. Then wash as you would normally – this works for me every time!

3. Antiseptic. Works great to help kill germs and prevent infection on cuts and scrapes. Make sure it bubbles up first before dabbing it off.

4. Mouthwash. You can use it straight or mix 1 to 1, water to hydrogen peroxide. Gargle, Swoosh, Spit, and Rinse. This works well if you have canker sores or other mouth sores.

5. Toothpaste. You can make your own toothpaste by using two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of peroxide. I don’t do this regularly, but I have done it in a pinch.

6. Cutting Board and Countertop Sanitizer. Vinegar kills most germs, and hydrogen peroxide kills most of the rest. The two kill more germs and bacteria than bleach alone, if you do this: have the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in two different spray bottles, spray on one first, then the other. Then rinse clean.

7. Watering Your Plants. If you tend to over-water your plants, this is for you. Mix 1 oz of hydrogen peroxide with 1 quart of water, and water your plants normally. This adds oxygen to your soil, helping stave off root rot and enhances root development. I do this particularly with plants whose soil is overly dense and more prone to water-logging.

8. Kill Shower Mold and Mildew. Spray on the surface and let sit, then wipe clean. Or spray after your shower to prevent mold from forming.

9. Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Pour 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide into the bowl, let stand for 20 minutes, and scrub clean.You can do the same thing with vinegar.

10. For Faster Germination When Soaking Seeds. This is a new one to me – I just read about it and haven’t tried it yet. Apparently if you soak your seeds in 1 cup of water mixed with 1.5 t hydrogen peroxide, the seeds will germinate faster. Has anyone tried this yet?




So there you go!

Baby "LEE" Update -- SIX WEEKS!

A baby in the womb, at 6 weeks.

Amazing, isn't it? The more I read about what is going on inside of me, the more I am in awe of God and creation. I am rendered speechless over and over again by the intricate design of humanity. And along with being amazed, I am also heartbroken when I think of the 42 million abortions that were performed last year, and the 115,000 performed - today! My little baby's heart is beating! He or she is growing arms and legs. It is no protoplasm in my womb - it is a life!

At this moment, baby "Lee" is now the size of a sweet pea! He/she is starting to grow eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin! The baby's heart is beating almost twice as fast as mine! Blood is starting to circulate. By the end of the week, his or her little hands and feet might wiggle! WOW! Amazed again.

I now fully understand what David truly meant when he said, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." - Psalm 139:14

Created To Be His...Help Meet | pt 5

It's been a while since I have posted the next excerpt part from Debi Pearl's, Created To Be His Help Meet. This section is called "Wisdom to Understand Your Man." Read and be inspired!

Genesis 2:18

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone;

I will make him an help meet for him.

Wisdom to Understand Your Man
A wise woman learns to adapt to her husband.


Three Kinds of Men

Men are not all the same. I have become aware that there are basically three types of men. It seems that God made each male to express one side of His triad nature. Most men are a little of all three, but tend to be dominate in one. As we review the types, you will probably readily identify your husband and be able to see where you have been a curse or a blessing to him.

By the time a young woman gets married, she has developed a composite image of what her husband ought to be like. The men she has known and the characters in books and movies provide each woman with a concept of the perfect man. Poor guys! They are never perfect - far from it. God gave each one a nature that in part is like Himself, but never complete. When a girl suddenly finds herself permanently wed to a man who is not like she thinks he ought to be, rather than adapt to him, she usually spends the rest of their marriage - which may not be very long - trying to change him into what she thinks her man ought to be.

Wisdom is knowing what you "bought" when you married that man and learning to adapt to him as he is, not as you want him to be.

Our husbands are created in the image of God, and it takes all kinds of men to even come close to completing that image. No man is a perfect balance; if he were, he would be too divine to need you. God gives imperfect women to imperfect men so they can be heirs together of the grace of life and become something more together than either one of them would ever be alone. If you fight your husband's inadequacies or seek to be dominant where he is not, both of you will fail. If you love him and support him with his inadequacies and without taking charge, both of you will succeed and grow.


Mr. Command Man

God is dominant - a sovereign and all-powerful God. He is also visionary - omniscient and desirous of carrying out His plans. And, God is steady - the same yesterday, today, and forever, our faithful High Priest. Most men epitomize one of these three aspects of God.

Command Men are born leaders. They are often chosen by other men to be military commanders, politicians, preachers and heads of corporations. Command Men usually do more than is required of them. They are known for expecting their wives to wait on them hand and foot. A Command Man does not want his wife involved in any project that prevents her from serving him. If you are blessed to be married to a strong, forceful, bossy man, then it is very important for you to learn how to make an appeal without challenging his authority. A woman married to a Command Man has to earn her place in his heart by proving that she will stand by her man, faithful, loyal, and obedient. When she has won his confidence, he will treasure her to the extreme.


Mr. Visionary

God is a Visionary as seen in His person, the Holy Spirit. He made some men in the image of that part of His nature. Some of you are married to men who are shakers, changers, and dreamers. Visionaries are often gifted men or inventors, and I am sure it was men of this caliber who conquered the Wild West, though they would not have been the farmers who settled it. Today, Visionary men are street preachers, political activists, organizers, and instigators of any front-line social issue. Every Mr. Visionary needs a good, wise, prudent, stable wife who has a positive outlook on life.

If you are married to one of these fellows, expect to be rich or poor, rarely middle class. He may never be rich in money, but he will be rich in experience. The wife of Mr. Visionary should be just a little bit reckless and blind in one eye if she is going to enjoy the ride. If this is your man, you need to learn two very important things (beyond how to make an appeal). Learn how to be flexible, and learn how to always be loyal to your man. You will be amazed at how much happier you will be and how much fun life can be if you learn to just go with the flow - his flow. Life will become an adventure. You will actually begin to feel sorry for the gals married to the stick-in-the-mud, steady type. People looking on will marvel that you are able to love and appreciate your husband, but you will know better because you will see his greatness.

The Visionary man needs his woman's support, and he will appreciate it when it is freely given. If you are married to the Visionary Man, learn to enjoy the trip, for it he ever does make a better light bulb, he will want you to be the one who turns it on for the first time in public. It will be your face he looks into to see the marvel of what a great thing he has done. You are his most important fan. When you know your man really needs you, you can be happy with just about anything.


Mr. Steady

God is as steady as an eternal rock, caring, providing, and faithful, like a priest - like Jesus Christ. He created many men in that image. We will call him Mr. Steady - "in the middle, not given to extremes." The Steady Man does not make snap decisions or spend his last dime on a new idea, and he doesn't try to tell other people what to do. He doesn't invent the light bulb like Mr. Visionary, but he will be the one to build the factory and manage the assembly line that produces the light bulb and the airplane. As a general rule, he will be faithful till the day he dies in the same bed he has slept in for the last 40 or 50 years.

When a woman is married to a bossy, dominant man, people marvel that she is willing to serve him without complaint, so she comes out looking like a wonderful woman of great patience and sacrifice. A woman married to the impulsive Visionary Man, who puts the family through hardships, will stir amazement in everyone. "How can she tolerate his weird ideas with such peace and joy?" She comes out being a real saint, maybe even a martyr. But if you are married to a wonderful, kind, loving, serving man, and you are just a little bit selfish, than you are likely to end up looking like an unthankful shrew. He helps you, adores you, protects you, and is careful to provide for you, and you are still not satisfied. Shame on you!


Know Your Man

Wives are very much flesh and blood, and as young women, we don't come to marriage with all the skills needed to make it start out good, let alone perfect. When you come to know your man for whom God created him to be, you will stop trying to change him into what you think he should be. The key is to know your man. If he is Mr. Steady, you need to learn to be thankful and to honor him as the one created for you in the image of God. God's word says in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." A man who is created steady brings peace and safety to a woman's soul. You husband's gentleness is not a weakness; it is his strength. Your husband's hesitation is not indecision; it is cautious wisdom.

Ask God for wisdom and patience. Seek to always have a gentle spirit. Look up "shamefacedness" in the Bible, and learn what it means. Pray for your husband to have wisdom. Stop expecting him to perform for you. Stop trying to stir him up to anger to get him to feel as though he understands you. Let him be the one God made him to be. Learn to seek your husband's advice on what to do, and then give him time to answer. Show respect by asking him in what areas he would like you to do some decision-making.


"Ruination" Wife's Summary

a)  The wife of Mr. Command Man can ruin her marriage by failing to honor, obey, and reverence her husband's authority and rule.

b)  The wife of Mr. Visionary can ruin her marriage by failing to follow, believe, and participate as an enthusiast in her husband's dreams and visions.

c)  The wife of Mr. Steady can ruin her marriage by failing to appreciate, wait on, and be thankful for her husband's pleasant qualities.


Successful Wife's Summary

a)  The wife of Mr. Command Man can heal her marriage by becoming his adoring Queen, honoring and obeying his every (reasonable and unreasonable) word. She will dress, act, and speak so as to bring him honor everywhere she goes.

b)  The wife of Mr. Visionary can heal her marriage by laying aside her own dreams and aspirations and embracing her role as help meet to her man, believing in him and being willing to follow him with joyful participation in the path he has chosen.

c)  The wife of Mr. Steady can heal her marriage by joyfully realizing what a friend, lover, and companion she has been given and living that gratitude verbally and actively. When she stops trying to change him, he will grow. She can, then, willingly take up tasks that will fill her time and give her husband joy and satisfaction when he sees her productiveness.


Who Is Your Man?
 
Make a list of your husband's traits - things that indicate which of the three types he most expresses. It may be a combination, with one more dominate. Now, begin a list of things you can do that will set him free to be the man God made him to be.
 
Romans 12:1-2
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Ask God to give you wisdom to see where you need to change to be the perfect help meet for your divinely designed man.

    Running With You,

Baby "Lee" Countdowns!

Pregnancy Tickers from WiddlyTinks.com



Our Baby is now the size of a sweet pea!

Growing like crazy, baby Lee is starting to grow eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin. Those little hands and feet -- still webbed like paddles -- might wiggle by week's end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as yours!), and blood is starting to circulate.

Children Are a Heritage of the LORD

Exactly 10 days ago, I was given the most surprising, exciting, shocking, overwhelming, and thrilling news of my life!

I am pregnant!!

Yes, that is correct. Almighty God has seen fit to touch me intimately and physically and has blessed my womb with a life! And not just a life - but a SOUL!

I came from a big family and I watched my Mother carry and bear five children.... but I never came close to fathoming the joy that she felt. I never fully understood how exciting it truly was for her and my Dad.... until now. Now that I hold a new life in my body, I understand - more than ever before - the sacredness of life, the beauty of life, and the absolute thrilling joy of a child! I literally cannot wait!!!

Grant and I felt convicted immediately into our marriage that we would let God have full control of every aspect of our lives. We knew that God is fully able to help us, lead us, guide us, provide for us, and keep us and so we decided to surrender everything, even the matter of children, into His hands. So the Lord, obviously thinks that we ready for the wild and exciting ride of parenthood. And He touched us! I cannot tell you how honored I feel, how humbled I feel, and how overwhelmed by His goodness I am.

Currently, I am 6 weeks into my pregnancy. I am tired and fatigued, but watching the mirror every day for a baby bump.... even though I know it will be weeks more! I am already browsing through the baby section in stores and making lists of what I will need. I am praying over the child countless times throughout the day and talking to him/her like he/she can already hear me. My husband and I are praying, more than anything, for a child who will come to know Jesus early in life. We are praying for a healthy baby who will grow up to be a hero of the faith, a missionary or minister, a spiritual world changer! We are praying - even now - for the Lord to fill this tiny life with His Spirit. Please join us in prayer.

So, in closing, all I can say is:

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

Psalm 127:3-5
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Scripture for the Week -- 08/22/10

3 John 1:3-4
"For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

Pretty Peppers

Here are my pretty peppers that are sitting outside on my front porch. Now, I haven't dared eat them, but my husband and cousin said they are HOT. As for me, I just like looking at them and I thought you would too! :)

Scripture for the Week -- 08/15/10

Titus 2:13-14
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

We Cannot Wait

James 1:27

"Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this:
to visit the widows and the fatherless in their affliction."

“How many there are … who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God.”

– Lottie Moon

Tomato and Parmesan Pasta

This afternoon, I got really hungry. Since I normally don't eat breakfast, but nibble off and on throughout the day, lunch came around 1:30 p.m. for me this afternoon. So I went into the kitchen, opened up the fridge and saw pasta noodles from a couple of days ago. Pasta sounds nice! Now for the topping...

After a few minutes, I whipped up this quick and easy pasta topping.

2 Tbsp. butter
2-3 Tbsp. olive oil
3-4 Tbsp. parmesan cheese
a dash of garlic salt
1 slice of a tomato, chopped in tiny pieces

Throw it all in a skillet until butter is melted and everything is well mixed and hot. Pour over your choice of pasta! YUM. :)

For Such Is The Kingdom

Lately, I have been pondering the phrase Jesus spoke 2,000 years ago.

"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."   (Luke 18:16)

It is almost like Jesus is saying that the key to the kingdom of heaven is child-likeness, isn't it? In Matthew chapter 18, Jesus said to be as little children and if we come to Him like a child comes to their father, then we are made great in His kingdom.

"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 18:1-4)

These passages in Scripture have been on my mind heavily for quite a while now. Coming from a family of five younger siblings and quite a handful of young cousins, I can say that I know a bit about children.
 
Children are innocent. Children are trusting. Children have a spirit of adventure. Children dream, while adults force themselves to focus on the tough reality. Children believe the unbelievable. Children are teachable; easily able to mold.
 
For such is the kingdom....
 
The more I think about it, the more I realize that I need to be more childlike in my relationship with Jesus. I need to be constantly filled with pure innocence, dwelling on the holiness of God. I need to TRUST my Master in all things. I need to trust that He will never leave me, never do me harm, never stop loving me. He will provide. He will prosper. He will give peace. I need to forever have the spirit of joyful adventure as I walk each day in His will. I should be anxiously and eagerly waiting for Him to move and speak every moment of every day. While living in a sin-cursed world, I should not focus simply on my hardships, but on the beauty of the Christian life, while serving and living out His dreams for me. I need to believe He can do miracles. I need to believe that He will do the impossible. And probably most of all, I need to be teachable by Him. I need to be clay that will not fight the potter; accepting every squeeze, every painful shaping of life, knowing that He who hath begun a good work in me, WILL perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.  (Philippians 1:6)

Too often, I am hard and cold. Unteachable. Untouchable. Haughty. Unkind. When I should be welcoming whatever the Lord brings to me, may it be rain or shine, many times I reject the opportunity to be as a child. When I should be giving, I am often selfish. When I should be trusting, I am frequently doubtful.

How I need more of Jesus in my life! The walk of a Christian really is an endless school of learning how much we lack and how we need Him more and more. I NEED HIM like a child needs his/her father and mother. And even though I am a grown woman, I still need to be as a child for God to work mightily in me.
 
Many times throughout Scripture, Jesus speaks of children. Many times, we see Him healing a child, holding a child, and - best of all - calling US His children.

 
Matthew 18:5
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Matthew 19:13
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray:....
 
Mark 9:37
Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Luke 17:2
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;


Our Savior, Christ Jesus, said to be as a child...for such is the kingdom...and I can see why. May it be so.
 

Scripture for the Week -- 08/09/10

2 Corinthians 10:17
"But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

Rain On Me

I am a dry and barren wasteland
I'm a desert inside
Lord, I need to be emptied of all my selfishness and pride
Lord, I need Your healing water
To descend and to remain
Open up the heavens and send the rain!

I am tired and I am wearyI'm panting for the flood
I need to be cleansed, to be washed in Your blood
Flow down from Heaven
Come and touch me with Your hand
I'm desperate for the rain to come
So let it fall onto this land!

Rain on me, pour out Your glory
Your touch is what I need
I'm thirsty! Rain on me
 
 
Hosea 10:12
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."


Father, break up the earth that is my heart. Rain hard upon me until I am tender ground. Pour out Your righteousness and mercy and glory. Let it thunder in my soul. Do not let it stop until I am filled with You; Your heart, Your spirit, and Your love. Rain on me.

My Daily/Weekly/Monthly Planner

For over a week now, I have been working on a Household Management Planner. I have been printing up pages like "Emergency Phone Numbers" and "Pantry Inventory Lists" and "Menu Plans" and writing out daily chore and "To Take Care Of" cards so I won't forget things. Today, I put together a one-page daily/weekly/monthly household schedule that I like very much and thought I would share. On the top, it has my morning to noon plan. Then it has a basic chore schedule for each day of the week. Next, I have a monthly schedule/list of things to take care of. And lastly, I have a seasonal chart. It is a pretty good start for me. Of course, I do not have errands or banking on the list because that is done at different times, but I would suggest everyone (especially list-makers!) make up a similar schedule to best fit their lifestyle. It is a great way to stay organized and neat!

(click on schedule to enlarge)

Quote for the Day! -- 08/04/10

‎"As Elisabeth Elliot points out, not even dying a martyr's death
is classified as extraordinary obedience when you are following a Savior
who died on a cross. Suddenly a martyr's death
seems like normal obedience."

David Platt, in "Radical"

Created To Be His...Help Meet | pt 4

I have been steadily posting excerpts from the wonderful book by Debi Pearl, Created To Be His Help Meet. This section is called "The Gift of Wisdom" which, when I was slowly reading through today, convicted me and inspired me. So often, as women, we get caught up in emotions. Sadly, I have to admit, that I am emotional.  That is a good thing, don't get me wrong. God created me to be a woman, and to have womanly gifts and differences. But sometimes, we let our emotional ways take over....and we end up severely blotching a situation. So this chapter was a good encouragement to me. Be blessed!

Genesis 2:18
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone;
I will make him an help meet for him.

The Gift of Wisdom

Do you have enough fear of God not to question His Word?

God's Blueprint for Marriage

Ephesians 5:22-24- "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing."

Colossians 3:18 - "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord."

1 Corinthians 11:3 - "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God."

1. 
   
   God commands wives to submit to their OWN husbands.
2. 
   
   God informs men that they are the head of the wife.
3. 
   
   God tells the wives to be subject to their husbands in everything, every decision, every move, every plan, and all everyday affairs.

 

There will be times in your marriage when it will take faith and wisdom to believe that God is good, kind, and just in His command for you to submit to your husband in everything. Note that what God commands a woman to do does not hinge on the man loving his wife as Christ loved the Church. If it did, there is not one single husband who ever lived and breathed who would be worthy of his wife's submission or reverence. Each of them, the man and the woman, has been given their own directive from God with a model or pattern to attain to. What God said stands, regardless of the man's goodness or the apparent lack thereof. You were given your blueprints with words like honor, submit, and reverence. This is God's will and way, His directive and pattern for you to model. It is up to us to believe and obey God.

Just knowing God's will from His written Word will help you become that kind of person. There is peace and joy in knowing that you are right where you were created to be. The more you seek to obey God by being a good help meet to your man, so much the more you will come to know God; and the more you know Him, the more you will care about the things He values.

You Think I'm Some Kind of Spiritual Giant?

It has taken wisdom for me to understand a man, his ego, his tender heart, and his strong needs. It was nothing short of divine wisdom that enabled me to understand the destructiveness of taking personal offense when my husband did things that seemed unfair, selfish, or harsh. It has been the gift of wisdom that has helped me to understand that God is delighted in me when I want to delight and please my man.

A gift is something you receive that has not been earned or merited. God wants to give you the gift of wisdom. It is this precious gift of wisdom that has enabled me to see beyond the piles of dumped trash bags. Do you think I am some kind of super-spiritual giant? I am just like you, flesh and blood. I can pitch a hissy fit just as well as the next woman. I can get stone-cold and freeze my man down to cracked ice. Thankfully, God has offered us women wisdom that allows me daily to choose what my future will be. I thank God that wisdom is not earned; it is a gift.

Your lift will be full of dumped-trash-bag situations. Your husband will be selfish. He will be unkind. He will not respect your rights. He will be foolish. He may be cruel, and that son of Adam may actually walk in sin. But he cannot victimize you unless you react outside of the wisdom of God. You can decide to be in a constant state of anger and bitterness, or you can ask God for the wisdom to live each day in a state of honoring your man for God's sake. You need the precious gift of wisdom to be able to hold your tongue and be thankful when your flesh would strike back in anger. You need wisdom to see how feeling sorry for yourself is far from the heart of God. You need the gift of wisdom as a constant reminder of the limitations of your female understanding. The gift of wisdom will remind you that God's rules are not there to put you in bondage, but to help you make a man want to cherish, protect, and love you. Most of all, the gift of wisdom will enable you to serve and honor your husband because you are serving and honoring God. You will find fulfillment in your nature as a woman.

James 1:5 - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

God gives us wisdom liberally, like a gift, but first we must ask for it.

Today, as you read this, you have two choices open to you. You can excuse yourself from the responsibility by mentally assigning various excuses to your situation, or you can choose to believe God and become a 100% help meet regardless of anything that would stand in your way. Which will it be?

Answer these questions:

1. 
   
   What is the key to understanding our roles as wives?
2. 
   
   Where are peace and joy found?
3. 
   
   If your husband does not love you, does that negate your responsibility or prevent you from fulfilling your role?
4. 
   
   What is the gift that God gives that will help you in your pursuit of becoming a help meet?
5. 
   
   List three words that are part of the blueprint for help meets.
6. 
   
   What can you do that will cause you to know God more and cause you to care about the things he cares about?
7. 
   
   Are you committed to a heavenly marriage?

To commit your way unto the Lord is to say, "Not my will, but thine, be done."

Psalm 37:3-8 - "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."


The Beginning of Wisdom

Wisdom is conceived in a strange place. It is fathered by fear. If our choices can bring us to miserable ends, then fear is the healthiest deterrent we can have. It is the beginning of wisdom. Life without fear is a fool's paradise. What physical pain is to the preservation of the human body, fear is to the preservation of the soul. A Christian life without fear is a religious life without a living God.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..." - Psalm 111:10
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..." - Proverbs 9:10
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge..." - Proverbs 1:7

Anything God says three times is worth heeding.


Make a new habit.

When you feel yourself beginning to have a critical spirit, stop, take a deep breath, silently ask for wisdom, then think of something that is on your thankful list. This is remolding a habit, and, in time, practice makes perfect.

Getting Serious with God

Find the definition of the word odious. Learn to hate the idea of ever being guilty of such a thing. Any time you are showing irritation and blame toward others, keep in mind that the earth is disquieted due to your being an odious, married woman.

Proverbs 30:21-23 - "For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat; For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress."

Look up in Scripture (KJV) the fear of God. How many times does it appear? What do you think God is trying to teach us? How differently would we react to our daily challenges if we truly feared God...?

    Running With You,