Creative Ways to Menu Plan

My friend Kristi over at Run the Earth, Watch the Sky posted how she menu plans on her blog and I wanted to share it with you because it is so creative! Here's how she menu plans:

"It's just a small poster board with 14 self-adhesive library pockets stuck on (I bought them at a teacher-supply store). My husband did the lettering for me - I think it looks lovely! :)

Then I went through my cookbooks and wrote the names of main-dish recipes on the end of blank 3x5 cards. If it is something I don't make often I added the cookbook name and page number underneath. Then I cut about 1-1/2" off of the ends of some of the cards and wrote side dishes on those cards, which allows both the main dish and side dish to be visible when put in the pocket together.

I filed the index cards in a home-made envelope file. I'd like to eventually get a small plastic accordion file, but you can easily make one with business-size envelopes. Just fold the flap of an envelope back and glue it to another envelope behind it (which also has the flap folded back). Continue until you have enough pockets. Then moisten the adhesive of the last envelope and glue it to the inside. Then use packing tape to tape the bottoms of the envelopes together.

This is working well for me so far. I like that I can quickly look through my file and create a two week menu in a flash - including side dishes. Having recipe names already written out on the index cards keeps me from having to mentally shuffle through 20 cookbooks! As I work, I can very easily re-order or replace things. No more erasing and rewriting and erasing and rewriting! If something comes up and I change the order, I can easily change the menu planner to reflect that."

Wasn't that fun to see? If you have a creative way of menu planning - please feel free to share it with me!

Also, if you missed my blog on how I menu plan go here and here to see what works best for me!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Spring and Summer Fashions

So the fashion magazines are at it again. They entice us with the newest and hottest summer trends and along with that they usher in a vast array of immodest and indecent clothing. Stores and malls are packed with clothes that do not cover the body in a modest way. I’ll be honest, I have those moments where I take an outfit to the dressing room, try it on, realize it’s immodest but love it. Then the war begins in my mind. “It’s not so bad. Maybe I could just wear it on vacation where no one from church would see me?”… These are tempting thoughts that end in dishonor to God if I believe them.


In Genesis 3:1-7 we see Satan tempted Eve to take the fruit. He did not put the fruit in her hand and he certainly did not put the fruit into her mouth. All Satan did was tell Eve lies and she became a believer of those lies. Then Eve saw the fruit with her eyes, took it with her hands and then ate it. Then she became Adam’s tempter.


So often we as women – first see the fashion trends and in our desire to be attractive begin to buy into the lies that immodesty is attractive. So just as Eve, we see the clothes and desire to have them. Once we have bought into Satan’s lies it won’t be long before the clothes are hanging in our closet and we are tempting men to have impure thoughts by our sinful choices.


So what is a Christian woman to do? I know most of the women reading this have heard the topic of modesty spoken on a hundred times and I don’t have much new to say on it. So let me give you a challenge.


In I Timothy 2:9 and10 we are told what to adorn ourselves with. “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety… and with good works, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”


Here’s the challenge: add a fashion accessory to your spring and summer wardrobe – "good works"! Do you have this accessory ready for the summer season???


Jerry Bridges calls good works - “deliberate deeds that are helpful to others” (The Practice of Godliness). They are acts of kindness that are evidence of our salvation. These are essential for a godly woman to have.


So here are a couple of questions I’ve borrowed from CJ Mahaney that we as women need to consider:


Which do you think about more – shopping or good works?
What are you most noticed for – what you wear or your kind deeds?
What is most eye-catching about you – your clothing or your character?


The woman who is seeking to gain attention and praise for her physical body, as an immodest woman does, is not seeking to glorify God but herself. A godly woman who is devoted to good works will reflect glory back to God.


I want to encourage you to clothe yourself with good works this spring – your inner beauty will be radiating and God will be glorified.


Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

We Reap What We Sow

Exactly 2 weeks ago we planted sunflower seeds in a pot. I was surprised when just 4 days later the stems broke through the dirt! And now 2 weeks later we have begun to reap what we have sown! The children are so excited!


This makes me think about Galatians 6:7-10 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."

Sometimes I am foolish and I forget that God cannot be deceived - he can see the temper that flares when my children make me angry - or the bitterness I feel in my heart when my husband offends me.


When you sow seeds of anger and bitterness - you reap a bouquet full of weeds and ugliness that no one wants to be near. What type of seeds are you sowing in your life? Are you sowing seeds of love, joy, peace and patience or are you sowing seeds of bitterness, anger, discontentment and frustration?

"The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction."

Everything our selfish heart desires will deceive us into believing that these teeny tiny seeds are little and acceptable. But like the sunflower seed that is teeny tiny - but one day will be a HUGE plant - so are our "small sins" - once they take root and grow - they become huge and reap destruction!

"the one who sows to please the Spirit, from that Spirit will reap eternal life."

When we live a life - yielded to the Holy Spirit and we sow seeds from the Spirit like kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - we reap eternal rewards!

So..."Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

If you are feeling weary as a wife, mother, friend and homemaker - do not give up. Continue to yield yourself to the Spirit and discipline yourself to deny your selfish nature. In no time at all, tiny sprouts of inner beauty will be born - and you will mature into a beautiful Godly virtuous woman! We reap what we sow.

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

The Noticer by Andy Andrews

Tomorrow The Noticer by Andy Andrews will hit shelves in all the major book stores. Andy Andrews is the author of the New York Times Best-Selling book The Traveler's Gift and I had the privilege of reviewing his new book.

So when I opened this short (merely 150 pages) hardback book I was very eager to gain some perspective - And I did. The book starts out with this very sad story of a boy living under a pier - homeless and alone. At merely 19 years of age, his mother has died of cancer and his father in an accident. A man named Jones comes along. Jones is "A noticer, I notice things that other people overlook. And you know most of them are in plain sight. I notice things about situations that produce perspective. That's what most folks lack - perspective - a broader view."

Jones gives this boy "a little perspective" on life. He helps the boy to begin reading biographies from the library of men like George Washington, General Patton, Alexander the Great and others who were very successful. As a result, this young boy reads over 200 biographies and turns his life around - he marries, has children and guess what - he becomes the author of a New York Times Best-Selling book - the homeless boy was Andy! That surprised me.

From there the book unfolds as this wise man Jones goes throughout his town helping people gain perspective. He helps an elderly women who feels useless realize that many who are famous did not even start the work that made them famous until they were in their 60's and 70's such as Harlan Sanders (also known as Colonel Sanders) - who created the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. He did not even begin to market his chicken until he was 65! Jones helps a marriage that is on the brink of divorce gain some perspective, some teens who are fearing marriage and divorce, a business man who cuts too many corners, and many others.

One quote that specifically stood out to me was: "You are having marital troubles because you are married." Isn't that so true? We all have days when things just aren't going as smoothly as planned - and simply put it's normal! We have marital trouble because we are married!

He also tells the story of a man whose hat blows off in the wind and as the man chases after his hat he is hit by a car and dies. "A man can lose everything, chasing for nothing." Now that's perspective!

Finally, Jones tells a story about intention. "Five seagulls are sitting on a dock. One of them decides to fly away. How many seagulls are left? 4? No, there are 5. Deciding to fly away and actually flying away are two very different things. There is no power in intention...he is still on the dock." Deciding to change or intending to do things is as good as not doing them at all - we must follow through and take flight in order really follow through on the things we say we want to do in life. That's the hardest part!

This easy to read book is filled with perspective that is applicable and helpful. And so I would like to give this book away!

To Win: Just simply leave a comment in the comment section. This would be a great gift for your husband for Father's Day!

The winner will be chosen by http://www.random.org/ If your email address is not connected to your ID please leave your email address with your comment or email it to me at courtney@womenlivingwell.org with the subject "Giveaway".

RULES: Starts today, Monday, April 27th and Ends Sunday, May 3rd at 9 p.m. Open to residents of the United States who are 18 and older. Winner will be contacted via email.

BONUS ENTRIES: Become a follower and let me know below in the comment section or for fellow bloggers, blog about this giveaway and include a link back to this post or grab my button and then let me know in the comment section for a bonus entry!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

The 30 Day Gentleness Challenge

This past Tuesday in my women's Bible study we had a long discussion about one specific fruit of the Spirit that convicted me deeply: gentleness. Most of the women in our study are moms of little ones and we all agreed that in the midst of the chaos in our homes it is difficult to handle every situation in a gentle manner.

I just finished reading Michelle Duggar's book (a mother of 18 children) and one of the things that I had journaled from the book was how she remains gentle despite 18 reasons to lose her temper! She said she follows Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." When Michelle feels tempted to yell she purposely takes her voice down to almost a whisper. She has also given her children permission to correct her when she starts to raise her voice.

Out of this discussion the "30 Day Gentleness Challenge" was born amidst my accountability group - the "Good Morning Girls." We all agree that we struggle regularly with raising our voices to be heard by our little ones! Between the 5 of us we have 15 children and one in the womb and we really need accountability in this area.

So for the next 30 days we are daily reporting to each other whether we had victory or defeat each day via email. We are tallying the days and the mommy who has the most days of gentleness will win a little prize!

So I told the children yesterday what mommy is doing and my sweet son said to his sister "this means we have to behave so mommy can win!" That's my boy!!!! I'm loving the support! Then I told the children they have my permission to correct me when they see me starting to not act in a gentle manner - you should have heard the giggles - they loved that idea!

So I'm off -today is day 3 of the "Gentleness Challenge" - so far - so good (and I have one child sitting in time out beside me at the moment - I'm being tested!) - but I know that Satan has some schemes up his sleeve - so I'm walking in the Spirit and praying my way through the month!

If there are any older mommies out there who have some words of wisdom for us send them my way! Or if you are a mother who struggles in this area and you'd like to join me for the 30 day challenge - leave me your email address (or email me) and I will hold you accountable once a week for the next 4 weeks via email!

Remember Proverbs 31:26 says "She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue." And yelling at a bud won't make it bloom!!!

Walk with the King!

Don't foget to enter the giveaway for the children's Bible today!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Children's Bible Giveaway

The Winner is... Mom24blessings! Congratulations!!! I'll be contacting you!!

I have always enjoyed buying my children new Bible books because it keeps our Bible reading times fresh. We all enjoy the new artwork with each story and the different perspective that each author takes as they take God's truth and relay it in an eloquent way for little ears.

A few years ago I purchased The Jesus Storybook Bible - every story whispers his name by Sally Lloyd-Jones and we all LOVE it! It's been fun to read over and over and now I have this really exciting opportunity from Zondervan to give one away to one of my readers!

The most unique part of this Bible book is how each story in the Old Testament ends with a statement foreshadowing the coming of Jesus. As the title says "every story whispers his name". Although there are many different stories in the Bible, each story is a part of one big story which is the story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.

To Win: Just simply leave a comment in the comment section. You do not have to be a mommy of little ones to enter - you could give this Bible away to a grandchild, neighbor child, or a child at church. The winner will be chosen by http://www.random.org/ If your email address is not connected to your ID please leave your email address with your comment or email it to me at courtney@womenlivingwell.org with the subject "Giveaway".



RULES: Starts today, Thursday, April 23rd and Ends Sunday, April 26th at 9 p.m. Open to residents of the United States who are 18 and older. Winner will be contacted via email.


BONUS ENTRIES: Become a follower and let me know below in the comment section or for fellow bloggers, blog about this giveaway and include a link back to this post or grab my button and then let me know in the comment section for a bonus entry!



Walk with the King!
Courtney
http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

God Will Meet All of Your Needs

Every year in the spring, we take the kids to our old apartment where daffodils grow wild in the woods nearby and no one seems to care. 9 years ago, a neighbor discovered them and she told me to "get my bucket and get picking." It was such a joy to make a spring bouquet - for free! So every year we drive the kids over to our old apartment and we make spring bouquets from these wild daffodils!

There are no paths to these daffodils and it appears that no one ever sees them. I am sure that we are the only ones who venture in to find these treasures and when we get past the mess of leaves and twigs there we find these daffodils standing tall and proud, in all their splendor ready to greet us!

Luke 12:27 and 28 says "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!"

Jesus says - "Consider the lilies". This means - take some time to really look at them - pause - think about their splendor and how God has provided sunshine and rain so that they can bloom. And then think about your needs - and how much more Jesus cares about you than those lilies! Certainly he will take care of you - and if you don't believe - your faith is little!!!

Phil. 4:19 says, "My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." In the margin of my Bible by this verse I have written: "If he didn't meet it, I didn't need it."

In America it is rare to find someone who is worried about how they will clothe themselves. But I know that the recent recession in America has struck fear into the hearts of many and I want to encourage you to exchange your fear with faith. If you are struggling to walk in faith in the area of finances - let the daffodils and other spring flowers remind you - God cares for you much more than these - and he will meet all of your needs in Christ Jesus.

These daffodils sit on my window sill today as a reminder of God's faithfulness to me.

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Tasty Tuesday - Homemade Granola Bar Recipe

Homemade Granola Bars
2 cups oats
3/4 cup wheat germ (I didn't have this so I omitted it)
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup peanuts/almonds, crushed

2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
4 Tbsp butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt

(Add to this list any other ingredients you'd like - like dried fruits, chocolate chips or coconut)

Preheat the oven to 400.

Put the dry ingredients into a baking dish or cookie sheet and toast it in the oven for ten minutes.

Line a 9x13 dish with wax/parchment paper and pull off enough to cover the top too.

Boil together the honey, brown sugar, butter and vanilla - just for a minute or two.

Pour the toasted oats into the wax lined pan and pour in the the honey mixture, stir really well and press very firmly into pan with a layer of wax paper over the top (be careful not to burn yourself).

Let it cool and then cut them into bars! Enjoy!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Praying For Your Children All Day Long

I was over on Blessing Upon Blessing this weekend and I discovered her beautiful prayer cards - so with her permission I wanted to post photos and how she uses them. She actually got the idea from Bring in the Rain who says on her site:

"The other day I came across a verse that God used to prompt me to write this post. If you are a mom (or have someone else you want to pray for specifically), I hope you will join me as I do this for the next 7 days. It struck me that I need reminders during the day to be praying over my girls, and I decided to choose 7 events in a day that would remind me to do so. Then, I chose verses that had to do with that time of the day (for example: as my kids are getting dressed in the morning) and then I put them on notecards."

1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)

2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)


3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)


4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)


5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)


7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)

If you have little ones in your home, I want to encourage you to make some of your own prayer cards today. 7 may seem like more than you can accomplish in a day - maybe start with just two or three of your favorites? If you are crafty you can make beautiful cards - but if you are not maybe just write them on post-its notes and stick one at the kitchen table, one by their bed and one in their bathroom. I am so thankful I stumbled upon this new tool with these verses already listed - it's exactly what I need!

Also, I was featured in a "Saturday Spotlight" over the weekend on Run Watch Play Wait's website if you are interested in the interview - she is a great blogger friend - check it out!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Feedback Friday - What is Your Life Verse?

A "life verse" is a verse or passage in the Bible that is significant to you. It may define your life, give you inspiration or direction, be something that you hang onto as you face difficult circumstances, or it could even be the passage of scripture that brought you to a belief in Jesus Christ.

My life verse is Galatians 6:9 which says "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest IF we do not give up!"

This verse applies to every hard thing in life. When I am weary of getting up early for my quiet time (or to blog) I remind myself "do not give up". When I'm tempted to be critical of my husband, I am reminded -"do not grow weary in doing good". When my children need disciplined over and over and over I am reminded "do not give up." When I grow weary in different aspects of serving at church I am reminded "do not give up". When I pray for lost loved ones year in and year out with no signs of change I am reminded "do not give up."

This verse helps me to persevere when I am weary and want to give up - why? Because in time there will be a harvest - but only IF we do not give up!

Do you have a life verse? Will you share it with me in the comments section? I look forward to hearing from you!

Walk with the King!

This One is a Tear Jerker

So my sister emailed me this poem yesterday and she warned me "Get some tissues and enjoy a good cry" and since I do everything my big sister tells me to do (haha) - I got my tissues and cried while I read this sweet poem!

On Christmas Eve, I planned to move the rocking chair out of Lexi's room to make room for her new doll house she would receive on Christmas morning. She was nearly 4 at the time and she rarely laid her head down when we rocked and hadn't fallen asleep on me in months - she was more into chatting and I figured we could do that on the side of her bed. So on Christmas Eve I rocked her for the last time in her room and surprisingly she fell asleep on me! What a Christmas gift she gave me! I sat there and thought - this is the "last" time I'll ever rock her to sleep and I cried. Remembering that moment - makes me have to get a tissue...excuse me...okay, I'm back!

Here's the poem by Karen Kinsbury - Let Me Hold You Longer (get your tissues ready moms!)

Long ago you came to me,

a miracle of firsts,

First smiles and teeth and baby steps

a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away

and leave to me your past

And I will be left thinking of

a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time that I held a bottle

to your baby lips

The last time that I lifted you

and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,

needing to be walked,

When last you crawled up with your blanket

wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,

still small enough to hold.

The last time that you said you’d marry

me when you grew old.

Precious, simple moments and

bright flashes from your past-

Would I have held on longer if

I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,

your final midday nap,

The last time when you wore your favorite

faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,

those last few days of first grade,

Your last at bat in Little League,

last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all

your yesterdays long passed.

So what about tomorrow-

will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog

in that old backyard pond.

The last time that you run barefoot

across our fresh-cut lawn.

Silly, scattered images

will represent your past.

I keep on taking pictures,

never quite sure of your lasts…

The last time that I comb your hair

or stop a pillow fight.

The last time that I pray with you

and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle

with a book, just me and you

The last time you jump in our bed

and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,

last vacation to the lake.

Your last few weeks of middle school,

last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days

that haven’t come to pass.

But as I do, I sometimes miss

today’s sweet, precious lasts…

The last time that I help you with

a math or spelling test.

The last time when I shout that yes,

your room is still a mess.

The last time that you need me for

a ride from here to there.

The last time that you spend the night

with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,

stealing precious days that pass,

I want to hold on longer-

want to recognize your lasts…

The last time that you need my help

with details of a dance.

The last time that you ask me for

advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me

about your hopes and dreams.

The last time that you wear a jersey

for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed

seasons as they pass.

If I could freeze the hands of time,

I’d hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,

you’ll be going far away.

College life will beckon

in a brilliant sort of way.

One last hug, one last good-bye,

one quick and hurried kiss.

One last time to understand

just how much you’ll be missed.

I’ll watch you leave and think how fast

our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer,

God,to every precious last.

In the midst of your busy schedule and laundry and dishes - do not forget to enjoy your children - you never know what thing they will do for the last time today. This season will not last forever.

Walk with the King!

www.womenlivingwell.org

This Must Be Number 1 On Your To-do List

Yesterday I looked at I Corinthians 15 and how we will one day be resurrected with Jesus in heaven. Heavenly bodies - how exciting! I could blog all day about our culture and how it causes women to have body issues - but I'll spare you!!! Let's just say that getting a new body sounds wonderful to me!!!!

So let's move on to the final verse in this chapter that is powerful! I Corinthians 15:58 says "Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves FULLY to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

So our conclusion to the fact that one day we will rise again is to stand firm! Let nothing move you. But don't just stand there and do nothing - stand firm and get working! Give yourself FULLY to the work of the Lord. Why? Because it's not in vain - heaven awaits us!!!

So then the question comes - what actually is "the work of the Lord"? Does this mean we have to all become missionaries or staff at church? Nope! When you cheerfully fold your 6th load of laundry for the day - you are doing the work of the Lord. Serving your family IS the work of the Lord.

Some days you may feel like giving up - but God wants you to stand firm. Take that huge to-do list you have for today and do it FULLY for him. God is calling everyone to give themselves FULLY to Him to be used as his hands and feet to do His work.

In different seasons of life you will be given different kinds of work to do FULLY for Jesus. This season of life requires me to support my husband as he runs his business, train my children to follow Jesus, clean up vomit (which I've had to do about 5 times in the last five days - sure wish the kids would get it INTO the bowl!!!), cook and clean all with a cheerful heart!!! My hearts desire is to do it FULLY! I want to be the best wife, mommy, homemaker and blogger I can be.

I have a lot to learn in all of these areas - I am so far from where I dream of being - but I know my labor is not in vain! Do you ever feel discouraged like your work is in vain? Maybe you served at church or at a Vacation Bible School or shared the gospel with lost friends - but there seemed to be no fruit. Maybe you serve your husband and children, and pray daily for them all - but they are not walking with the Lord and your labor feels in vain. Regardless of what you can see with your own eyes - you are storing up treasures in heaven. So give YOURSELF FULLY to the work of the Lord - This must be number 1 on your to-do list today.

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

What Will Our Bodies Be Like In Heaven?

After spending all of last week focusing on Jesus and his death and then celebrating Jesus' resurrection on Sunday, I turned to I Corinthians 15. It is a fascinating chapter not only about Jesus' resurrection but also about the believer's resurrection! What will our bodies be like in heaven?


Just think about the most beautiful woman you have ever seen on earth - she is under the curse of sin! If we saw Adam and Eve most likely it would take our breath away - they were created perfect. And if they saw us - they might be in shock!

The Bible does not give us a lot of details about what we will look like in heaven - but it gives us a word picture so that we can begin to imagine what our bodies will be like in heaven. God's word compares our bodies to a seed.

Just yesterday the children and I planted sunflower seeds and tomato seeds. When those seeds rise up - will they look anything like the original seed? Oh no - the sunflower will be 6 feet tall and glorious! The tomatoes will be plump, juicy and bright red! They will change dramatically. It is the same with our bodies - after death we will be raised up with glorious bodies!

I Corinthians 15 says,"If Christ had not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins...But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead (AMEN!!)...someone may ask, How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?"

"When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. (37,38)...There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another(40)...So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.(42-44)"

I have never started a tomato plant out with only a seed (I usually purchase them at the nursery when they are already 6- 8inches tall). The reality of planting just one tiny seed from a tomato - which can grow into a large tomato plant that will bear much fruit floors me! But you know what floors me even more - my body is just a seed - a seed I have to live in for no more than 60 more years. Then I am going to get a juicy body in heaven!!!! And you will too!!!! Praise the Lord that Jesus rose from the dead - my hope is in Him!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

For more on Heaven go to these previous posts:
You Will Not Be Married In Heaven
What Will We Get Rewards for in Heaven?

Spell Checker

Growing up my dad was my spell checker - now we have these lovely PC's that spell check for us! I love it! I am taking a day of vacation today from blogging my own thoughts and I hope you enjoy this poem about spell checker!

Typoglycemia

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. But beuasce of the phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid (aoccdrnig to a rscheearch taem at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy) it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are witrten, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Such a cdonition is arppoiately cllaed Typoglycemia :)- Amzanig huh? Yaeh and yuo awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt.

This photo is from yesterday! We had a wonderful Easter with all of our loved ones! He is risen!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Happy Easter - He is Risen!

The children woke up to Easter Baskets and an Egg Hunt yesterday morning so we could focus on our risen Savior today! We started out the day with Resurrection Rolls! Now we are off to worship our Savior!


Happy Easter! He is Risen!

www.womenlivingwell.org

Good Friday Video

Walk with the King!

Resurrection Rolls - An Easter Morning Breakfast!

This is another tradition that we have done for a few years - Resurrection Rolls. This is a very popular recipe and it's all over the internet - but I just couldn't let Easter pass without being sure you all know about this fun activity to do with your children for breakfast on Easter morning!

Resurrection Rolls

Ingredients:
1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
8 large marshmallows
Melted butter
Cinnamon
Sugar

Directions:
Give each child one triangle shaped section of crescent roll. This represents the tomb.

Each child takes one marshmallow which represents the body of Christ.

Dip the marshmallow in the butter and roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. This represents the oils and spices the body was anointed with upon burial.

Lay the marshmallow on the dough and carefully wrap it around the marshmallow.

Make sure all seams are pinched together well. (Otherwise the marshmallow will "ooze" out of the seams)

Bake according to package directions.

Cool. Break open the tomb and the body of Christ is no longer there!!

Celebrate God's love!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

How to Handle Betrayal

The kids are counting down days until Easter! Each morning my son reminds me of how many days we have left! Just 3 more days! They are really looking forward to church and dinner with their grandparents and cousins!

I wonder what it felt like for Jesus on Thursday morning when he woke up, knowing that tonight he'd be arrested? Could he really go about his day as if nothing HUGE was about to happen?

The Jewish passover began at sundown Thursday evening. So that meant he had a long day of waiting for the sun to set...could you imagine if tonight you knew one of your closest friends would betray you and you'd be arrested?

At sunset, Jesus and his disciples went to the upper room to share their passover meal. Before this dinner - Judas had already betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14 tells us this was Judas' own idea - he was not propositioned by the religious leaders, he went to them! And now Jesus sits in the upper room and the first thing he says is "one of you will betray me tonight... Woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." Can you imagine the pit in Judas' stomach? What was he thinking? How could he sit there without saying a word?

After dinner, Jesus goes into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and there Judas arrives with the soldiers following him and he greets Jesus "Greetings Rabbi (Teacher)! and he kissed him." Jesus replied "FRIEND, do what you came for."

Did we just hear Jesus correctly - did he call Judas, his betrayer, his friend? Trust me, if a "so-called" friend had just turned me in for something I was innocent of - "friend" is not the term I'd use to describe them.

Jesus treated his betrayer as if he was faithful.

Max Lucado says of Judas "Jesus could see something we can't... Jesus knew Judas had been seduced by a powerful foe. He was aware of the wiles of Satan's whispers. He knew how hard it was for Judas to do what was right. He didn't justify what Judas did. He didn't minimize the deed. Nor did he release Judas from his choice. But he did look eye to eye with his betrayer and try to understand. As long as you hate your enemy, a jail door is closed and a prisoner is taken. But when you try to understand and release your foe from your hatred, then the prisoner is released and that prisoner is you."

Has a close friend or relative betrayed you? How have you responded? Jesus treated his betrayer as if he was faithful. The word "Christian" means a follower of Christ. If you are a Christian - follow Christ's example. Try to understand that there is a powerful foe that is having victory in your betrayer's life.

In the end, Judas was overcome with guilt. He tried to return the money to the chief priests but they would not accept it. "So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hung himself." (Matt. 27:5)

Your betrayer is in his own prison of misery. Release your foe from your hatred - and be free. Jesus went to the cross so you could live free!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

The Blood of Jesus

So what do you think of when you think of blood? I know that if my kids have an "ouchie" but there's no blood - they are fine and I tell them to run along and play. Vice versa - if they come to me and there's blood all over their face and I can't see where it's coming from - I panic! I do not like the sight of blood! To be honest - I have a real aversion to it. I can hardly handle the commercials for CSI!

When we think about the cross - we must think about the blood of Jesus. There is no escaping the gory details of the crucifixion. They beat him - and he bled, they put a crown of thorns on his head and he bled, they pounded nails into his hands and feet and he bled, and they pierced his side and he bled. Mixed with his blood was spit - the soldiers who beat him - spit on him. Their filth from their heart mixed with his precious blood and he carried that filth - to the cross. His blood was shed for our filth.

Over 400 times the word "blood" is used in the Bible because it is significant. Life is in the blood. In the Old Testament, God required a perfect lamb to be slaughtered and the blood of that lamb would atone for the sins of the people. Blood is required by God to pay for our sin and Jesus stepped down out of heaven and sacrificed his precious blood so that God's wrath would be satisfied.

I Peter 2:24 says "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."

Your sins have been covered by the blood of Jesus - Jesus bore our sins so that we might live for righteousness - now go today and live for righteousness. Do what is right in your marriage, in your parenting, in your spending, in your homemaking - serve Jesus!

John Piper says "The people that make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by one great thing."

Why did Jesus do it? Why the blood? Look at the face in your mirror - He loves you so.

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/