DON'T DENY THE POWER

I believe that God is far more powerful than people give Him credit for.  Some Christians don't believe in Supernatural healing, praying in tongues, or angelic visitations.  They take passages from the Bible and try to prove that none of those miracles are for today.  This makes no sense to me.  Why would God allow those things when Jesus walked the earth, but then take them away when He ascended into Heaven?  Why would God limit His power at any point in time?

God is God.  He never changes.  And if He wants us to draw close to Him, why would He remove the miracles that prove His existence?  We can't always believe something is true because we were taught by man that it's true.  Sometimes we have to pray for the truth to be revealed to us by God.  No one will ever convince me that God does not perform miracles today.  I think it is ridiculous to think that He saved all His supernatural power for a certain time and place, but now He's keeping all those miracles hidden in a box somewhere.  I know people who pray in tongues and I do it myself.  This isn't something I do in front of others.  But I know that God gave me the ability to pray in a Heavenly language to reveal how real the Holy Spirit is and to strengthen my faith.  I constantly pray for God to reveal Himself to me.   Sometimes asking is all that's necessary.  There are actually 60 benefits to praying in tongues.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  His miracles have never ceased.  Until our perfect savior comes, the supernatural will continue to take place on earth and the Holy Spirit will continue to fill saved believers who sincerely ask for the gifts of the spirit..
                                                                                                                     --Danelle



 They have a form of godliness but they deny the power thereof by their faithlessness

By Don Koenig

Paul tells Timothy in his second letter what it will be like in the last days: 

2 Tim  3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

This passage describes what it will be like in the world in the last days even among those who claim God but never came to the knowledge of the truth to be saved. It is logical then that this passage is talking about those who have some form of religion. It also says that it occurs in the last days so it is only common sense that the end time religious organizations of the world would contain these faithless people.

In the passage above what does it mean that they have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof”?I believe this verse is saying that these people claim that there is a God but they actually live their lives as if God does nothing supernatural on the earth and can do nothing outside of natural laws and the works of man. They keep the God of creation in some box in the heavens where He can accomplish nothing in His own creation. They claim to be people of faith but the only faith they display is in humanistic works. A second but equally important meaning is that they claim to believe in God but they deny the Son of God who by His power created all things in heaven and earth (Eph 3:19, Col 1:16).

This is the state of affairs today in most religion of the world. Islam claims to know God but they think that they have to conquer the world for Him and they deny His Son. Jews claim to know God but Israel makes decisions contrary to their own God given scriptures and they still deny His Son. Eastern religious and new age religions claim to know of God or gods but they think that they will exist on earth until, by their own efforts, they become one with the higher powers of the universe. Most in religion today have a form of godliness but they live as if God does nothing supernatural. They live as if God can do nothing outside of the efforts of man. Their God is no God at all.

Christianity should be our main focus since we can not expect religions that deny that God has a Son whom created all things to know truths about God. This instruction to turn away from them was written to Christians. There are many who call themselves Christians that display by their faithlessness that they are really Christian atheists. These phony "Christians" display a form of Godliness but they deny His power. Paul tells us to not to follow them.

Obviously then, the limits they put on God must be very evident in outward expressions that display their faithlessness or a true believer could not turn away from such people. If we are in the last days and such people exist in the institutional churches as Paul clearly said they would then we should be able to identify them so we can obey his instructions to turn away from them. Who then within Christianity today can we identify as those having a form of godliness while denying God's power?

A few examples where confessing Christians display a form of Godliness but deny His power are given below - we are told not to follow these reprobates concerning the faith I am sure you can think of many more examples:

• Those that are faithless to believe that God raised His Son Jesus physically from the dead
• Those who are faithless to believe that the Son of God became a man within Mary without the help of any man
• Those who do not believe that the Son of God was the atonement and propitiation for all of mankind's sins
• Those who reject or add to the good news of salvation through God's grace by faith in God's only begotten Son
• Those who do not believe that God's Son is fully God they make him a lessor god
• Those who claim salvation comes through the good works of man
• Those who think man will bring a paradise on the earth through his own efforts
• Those who believe that the world was created by time and chance
• Those who do not believe the supernatural events of the Old Testament
• Those who do not believe the supernatural works of the New Testament
• Those who do not believe God's prophets
• Those who say that God created the universe but believe that God does not intervene in it
• Those who deny that there will be a final judgment of evil by God
• Those who do not believe in the power of prayer to God to change things
• Those who are do not believe that the Bible is the word of God sufficiently preserved by God for our faith and practice
• Those organizations that use deviant, predatory and misleading fund raising techniques displaying the faithlessness of their leadership
• Those organizations that display more reliance on psychology and philosophies of men than faith in God and the power of prayer

Certainly, there are many more examples of those that live their lives like Christian atheists. The term applies because they make God nonexistent by denying that He has supernatural power on earth. One thing should be clear to all of us. Those who display a form of Godliness but deny His power should not be those we follow or hold in esteem even if they like to fondly call themselves "Christians".

Back to Don's philosophy page

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WHAT IS HELL LIKE?

23 Minutes in Hell


By Linda Joseph


While there are many ideas about what Hell might be like, Bill Wiese has actually been there. He has written a book about his experience entitled 23 Minutes In Hell. In the following paragraphs, I have condensed and summarized his description from Sid’s March 27, 2006 Messianic Vision interview with him:



“On a night in late November of 1998, I went to bed at my usual time, but I could not get to sleep. At 3 AM, I was still completely alert. Suddenly, I began to have a strong sensation of falling down through the floor. As I fell, I started to feel very hot so hot that I wondered why it did not kill me. When the falling sensation finally stopped, I found myself burning hot, and in total darkness. Somehow, I knew I was in Hell.



“For just a moment a light flickered and revealed that I was in a prison cell with stone walls and bars on the door. In the cell with me were foul smelling, disgusting creatures. They were 11 or 12 feet tall, with bumps and scales and grotesque distortions. They were communicating among themselves, blaspheming God continually with a terrible hatred.



“These creatures also had hatred toward me, and wanted me to suffer. One of them picked me up and dug his claws into my chest repeatedly until my flesh was torn and shredded into ribbons. The pain was indescribable. Then somehow, my flesh would all go back together, and he would do it again and again. I had no strength to fight them off, but even if I did, their strength was a thousand times that of a man. I was helpless against whatever they wanted to do to me.



“Even though I was once attacked by a shark, I had never felt pain and terror like this. I knew this was not a dream. All my senses were working properly, and I could think and reason. I knew for certain that I was in Hell, but strangely I had no thought whatsoever of Jesus, even though I had been a Christian most of my life.



“My consciousness was continually penetrated by the agonized screams of multitudes of other people. And although I was aware of people screaming all around me, there was no communication, or contact, or any human comfort whatsoever.



“The heat was unbearable. There was no water, and I was so thirsty, but you don’t get one drop of water. It is a struggle to breathe, and what air I did breathe seemed toxic, with a foul, putrid quality that smelled of sewage and death and burned flesh. You need sleep there also, but you never get to sleep either. There is no peace or comfort or rest of any kind from the torment. And you know that it will never end.



“After a while the demons let me crawl away from them, and I was able to see people in another area burning in flames in a pit. I could see their arms flailing and hear their screams, but nothing would ever get them out. That is the worst the hopelessness of knowing that it will never end, and that nothing will ever get you out. I experienced many other terrible things described in my book.



“After a while, Jesus appeared and took me into His arms. In His presence I felt such a deep, tender love and I knew I was safe. The terrible demons suddenly appeared weak and small as ants in the presence of the Lord. Jesus said, “All you have to do is cast them out in my name.” Demons have to bow their knee to His name.



“Hell was not created for people, but for the devil and his angels. The Lord loves us more than any human love we could ever experience, and the pain of what He suffers when one of His children ends up in Hell is indescribable. He was crucified on this earth to save us from this torment, but it is not automatic. Being a good person is not enough. You must receive Jesus; there is no alternative.



“As Jesus held me in His arms, we left Hell and ascended until I was above my house, and I could see my body lying in my house. Jesus told me that He had given me this experience so that I could warn people how real and how terrible Hell is. So many have lost the understanding of what it is that people need to be saved from. Believers must understand how urgent it is to warn people about this eternal suffering. The time is growing short - very, very short.



“After a while, I was sent back into my body. The instant I hit my body, the terror and pain of what I had experienced hit me full force. I began to scream uncontrollably, and I knew that if something did not reduce the horror of my memories then I would die. My wife heard me screaming and rushed to me. I begged her to pray for me, and after a long while of her praying, I began to feel calmer.”



It was weeks before Bill could talk about the experience with others. And, as he expected, he was met with some skepticism. However, from my perspective as a psychologist, Bill’s experience was real, and not imaginary or a dream. Bill’s wife Annette added this: “Bill and I have been conservative Christians, active in church for most of our lives. We do not drink or use drugs, and have never before had any unusual experiences. Bill is a steady-as-he-goes, consistent, unemotional guy. There is no doubt in my mind that what he experienced was real.”



And here is what Sid said about him: “I have checked this guy out with people who know him well, and he has credibility. I believe that the Lord has given him this experience as a warning to all those who would dismiss Hell as symbolic place. It is a very real place, and I urge everyone to become passionate to save those who will end up there if they do not meet Jesus. Get Bill’s book: it will change your destiny.”



You can listen to the entire interview by going to the Messianic Vision radio download for the week of March 27, 2006.



In concluding, Bill said that he expected many would be skeptical about this experience. However, he has a mission to tell everyone that he can about it, and wrote this book, 23 Minutes in Hell, because he feels an urgency that there is very little time left. Jesus told him two times: ‘Tell them I am coming very, very soon.’



If you would like to share an experience of healing, please write to me at at ljosef@usa.net.



Linda Josef is a Christian psychologist who is working on a book about supernatural healing with Messianic Vision. The book should be available in the next few months. If you have a story of healing that you would like to share, or wish to ask questions or make comments, you can write to Linda at ljosef@usa.net.



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THE BIBLE COMES TO LIFE

Isaiah prophecied that civil war will come to Egypt.  Isaiah 19:2 says, "I will set Egyptians against Egyptians, Everyone will fight against his brother, and everyone against his neighbor, City against city and kingdom against kingdom."  This prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes.  Will it conclude in the fulfillment of Psalm 83?  --Danelle

Friday, January 28, 2011


"I Will Set Egyptians Against Egyptians"

By Bill Salus



These are the days when the Bible is its own best commentary. Imagine Isaiah the prophet standing on the streets of Cairo today speaking in front of a mainstream news camera declaring:

The burden against Egypt. Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud, And will come into Egypt; The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst. “I will set Egyptians against Egyptians; Everyone will fight against his brother, And everyone against his neighbor, City against city, kingdom against kingdom. The spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst; I will destroy their counsel, And they will consult the idols and the charmers, The mediums and the sorcerers. And the Egyptians I will give Into the hand of a cruel master, And a fierce king will rule over them,” Says the Lord, the LORD of hosts. (Isaiah 19:1-4, nkjv)

Like a swift moving cloud, Isaiah predicts the rapid deterioration of events in Egypt. Civil unrest causes Egyptians to fight against each other. This fighting spreads from household to household and grows into a kingdom war. Probably quoting Isaiah 19:2, Christ warned kingdoms would rise against each other in Matthew 24:7. Unlike nation coming against nation, which alludes to world wars, “kingdom against kingdom” refers to regional conflicts. Christ taught these prophecies would come upon the world like birth pains. Like a woman about to deliver her newborn, these events are foretold to come with increased frequency and intensity each building upon the other.

Rumors of regional kingdom wars presently abound in the Middle East. Egypt and Saudi Arabia reportedly conducted joint military exercises in 2010 preparing for a possible confrontation with Iran. Iran represents the Persian kingdom and Egypt and Saudi Arabia the Arab kingdom. Additionally, the apocalyptically minded president Ahmadinejad of Iran has threatened on several occasions to wipe Israel, representing the Jewish kingdom, off of the map.

Psalm 83 predicts the Arab kingdom will someday rise against the Jewish kingdom to banish the name of Israel forever. Both Egypt and Saudi Arabia along with eight other Arab populations join the Arab kingdom in this pending prophetic war.

Isaiah’s prognosis for Egypt worsens as you read the rest of his chapter nineteen. Isaiah 19:5-12 tells us unprecedented religious and economic strife plagues the nation according to the purposes of the Lord. Apparently, this disastrous condition befalls Egypt because of its future involvement in Psalm 83 since we read in Isaiah 19:16-18 that Israel will take over five cities in Egypt and cause Hebrew to be the spoken language inside their city limits. One of these cities will be called “the City of Destruction,” implying the I.D.F. destroys this city.

In that day Egypt will be like women, and will be afraid and fear because of the waving of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which He waves over it. And the land of Judah will be a terror to Egypt; everyone who makes mention of it will be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts which He has determined against it. In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear by the LORD of hosts; one will be called the City of Destruction. (Isaiah 19:16-18, nkjv)

Will the civil strife developing in Egypt cause the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak, who supposedly has cancer and turns 83 on May 4, 2011? Many expected his son Gamal Mubarak to be his replacement; however, Gamal and his family have reportedly fled to the U.K. for safety. If the Mubarak government is overthrown will the Muslim Brotherhood fill his office with one of its own fulfilling Isaiah 19:4? The Muslim Brotherhood, presently banned in Egypt, hates Israel and supports Jihad against the Jewish State. Hamas, also participating against Israel in Psalm 83, is their political arm inside of the Gaza. Hamas, like the Muslim Brotherhood, calls for the destruction of Israel.

Will the present protests inside Egypt metastasize into the fulfillment of Isaiah 19? If so will the coming cruel leader be the one who leads Egypt into the Psalm 83:6-8 confederacy? All of this is unknown but entirely possible. One thing is for certain; the Middle East appears to be on the verge of going apocalyptic.

January 2011 has seen the governments of Lebanon, Tunisia, and Egypt become severely challenged. The government of Jordan is expected to be next. Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan are involved in Psalm 83 and Tunisia appears to take part in the Ezekiel 38 & 39 prophecy. It appears high time Christians familiarize themselves with the prophecies of Isaiah 19, Isaiah 17, Jeremiah 49, Psalm 83, and Ezekiel 38 & 39. These are a few of the world changing prophecies stage setting on the prophetic horizon.

Posted by AUTHOR / LECTURER at 8:30 AM

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WHY REJECT SUCH HOPE?

The last time I got in a conversation about the rapture, I was met with some harsh criticism.  She told me that you can't take the Bible literally and I should come back and talk to her after I read the entire Bible.  In other words, I don't know what I'm talking about.  Another person told me that the rapture is science fiction.  I dont' know how you can read the scripture mentioned in the article below and then blow it off as science fiction.  And if we can't take the Bible literally, what good is it? 
                                                                                                    --Danelle


The Rapture - What Is It ? When Will It Happen ? Where Is It In The Bible ?


by: Robert W. Benjamin


Just about everyone has heard someone mention ' The Rapture ', when they talk about the return of Jesus Christ. There probably isn't a word that causes as much conflict as the word rapture, does. I here folks constantly saying: ' There is NO word rapture in the Bible! '.



I have read the NIV version of the Bible from beginning to end, and it is true the word 'rapture' was not found. I have also read parts of and studied the King James Bible since I was a child, and I have never seen the word, ' rapture ', in it. So is the rapture made up ? NO. The Rapture is clearly mentioned in the bible, let me explain.



"Rapture" is derived from the Latin verb: 'rapere', of 1 Thess. 4:17—"we will be caught up," ['to carry off' - or 'catch up']).



A Dictionary meaning for Rapture says: ' The transporting of a person from one place to another, especially to heaven '.



So when we mention the Rapture, we are not saying the actual word is in the bible, but what it means is, the removing or taking away of the christian believers just before the seven year tribulation begins.



Here are just a few of the many references of the Rapture in the Bible (NIV Version):



Christ will bring raptured Church (his believers) to place he prepared : John 14:1-3 - "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."



The followers of Jesus will be removed to safety while those still on the Earth will face the tribulation period: Revelation 3:10 - " Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. "



In the verse above we are told that the 'followers' of Jesus, those that have kept his commands (followed his commandments) and accepted him as lord and saviour, will be kept from the time of trouble (tribulation), so here we have the proof of a pre-tribulation rapture. In 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17 we are told how this incredible event will take place:



1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17 - "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."



There are even more references to the church being delivered from the tribulation. Also, remember what happened back in the days of Noah. In a sense there was a rapture that occured then also. Noah and his family, the only true believers and followers of God, were removed from the earth (raptured) by the safety of God to the Ark, while the rest of the earths people suffered and died.



If you would like to know a lot more about the ' End Times ' , and read some great Christian articles on such subjects as 'Being Saved, Armageddon, The Rapture, and much more, visit the website called: ' Signs Of The End Times '



http://www.rb59.com/end-times



By Robert W. Benjamin



Copyright © 2006



You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

A MIRACULOUS SIGN AND STILL THEY DON'T BELIEVE

DAILY DEVOTIONS
By Greg Laurie
Friday // January 28 // 2011


Today's Bible Reading: Exodus 21-22, Psalm 12, Acts 4God's Sign to a Lost World

One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority."

— Matthew 12:38

My granddaughter Stella loves to pull pranks on people using a little box of tricks I bought for her. She hasn't learned the ways of deception very well, because people always know what she is doing. Even though they know what is going on, they go along with her anyway, and that makes her happy.



Sometimes we think that if we could do a miracle for our unbelieving friends, they would come to faith in Christ. We might be thinking, If I could just pray and this person was healed, they would believe right there. I know they would. If I could just do something dazzling. . . . But you know what? That wouldn't convince them.



Even though Jesus raised people from the dead, and even after He was bodily raised from the dead and people saw Him with their own eyes, they still rejected Him.



When some religious leaders approached Jesus one day and asked Jesus for a miraculous sign, they were essentially saying, "Hey, do a trick for us, Jesus!" But Jesus told them, "Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights" (Matthew 12:39–40).



In effect, Jesus was telling them, "Here is my sign to a lost world: I am going to a cross. I will die, and I will rise again from the dead. You can accept that and be forgiven, or you can reject that and not be forgiven. So that is your choice." And that is our choice as well.

Share by e-mail Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Copyright © 2011 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.



Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

YOU WERE MADE FOR MORE

www.madetocrave.org
Anyone who has struggled with food issues needs to read Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst.  This is not a diet book, it's a motivational tool that will make you realize why you overeat, and it will give you the desire to change bad habits that may have plagued you all your life. "This book could be the missing companion you've needed with every healthy eating plan you tried and cried over," says Lysa.  "I believe it will help you find your "want to."

Lysa confesses that she struggled with food choices and weight for way too long.  At one point she weighed nearly 200 pounds.  "I thought about, craved, and arranged my life too much around food," she said.  Abandoned by her father, Lysa began comforting herself with food as a little girl.  That emotional emptiness became a trigger for her overeating.  "Emptiness has a way of demanding to be filled," she wrote.

Lysa discovered that the only way she would conquer her cravings was if she redirected them to God.  "Nothing changes until we make the choice to redirect our misguided cravings to the only one capable of satisfying them," she said.   She began by asking God for the desire to be healthy. "I had to seek a spiritual "want to" empowered by God Himself," she said..."I had to see the purpose of my struggle as something more than wearing a smaller size and getting compliments from others."

Lysa realized that she didn't have a weight problem, she had a spiritual problem. She craved food more than she craved God.  And her sense of identity and worth were tied to the wrong things.  Her overeating was a desperate attempt to silence the cries of a hungry soul.  "God created us with a longing to be filled," Lysa says.  "It's a longing God instilled to draw us into deep intimacy with Him...If we fail to understand how to fill our souls with spiritual nourishment, we will forever be triggered to numb our longings with other temporary physical pleasures."

This book is nothing short of amazing.  Since I've been reading it, I see myself changing my own bad habits.  This book made me realize that eating in excess is a sin and being ruled by food distances me from God.  "Food was never meant to fill the deepest places of our hearts reserved for God alone," Lysa says.

I give this book five stars because it delivers a very strong motivation to get healthy and it offers an exact plan for redirecting our cravings so that we don't run to food for comfort, but instead we learn to run to God.  Women have been dealing with food issues since Eve made that big mistake in the Garden.  It's nothing to be ashamed of.  We all have issues with something.  This book will motivate you to finally have victory over the pull of the refrigerator.  It will make you realize that you were made for more.  Check out the link at the top of this post for a schedule of Lysa's web casts in which she discusses the book Made to Crave.

Casting Crowns-"Praise You In This Storm" (live)

DON'T GET CAUGHT IN THE RAIN

By Jim Carvell
Contributing Writer

A few years ago I began feeling the need to inform and warn people of the times and seasons we're living in.  This feeling I believe comes from the Holy Spirit.  I ask God to lead and show me the truth about the days we live in.  And I spend hours searching independent news sources, studying from Christian teachers and scholars, and of course studying the Holy Bible.

These days, within Christian circles, there exists a wide range of beliefs and opinions about last days prophecy.  Did you know that roughly 1/3 or 10,000 verses of the Holy Bible deals with prophecy.  Has God warned and prepared us for his plans about future events?  I believe He has.

I try to keep an open mind to different opinions, knowing that only one can be the truth of any given prophecy.  God makes no mistakes.  As the Apostle Paul said in 2 Tim 2:7...."for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."  One prophecy that is understood in various ways is Matthew 24...Jesus' very own prophecy that He gave of the signs of His coming and the end of the age (Greek "aion"-meaning completion).

In verses 4 through 8 of Matthew 24, Jesus gave us distinct signs to look for such as the deception of false Christs (Messiah, savior, leader) who mislead many  into false doctrines, religions, occults; wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines, and earthquakes in various places.  But in verse 8 he said these signs were only the beginning of birth pangs.  I challenge anyone to watch and read any news source for one week and see if all these signs are not present and increasing in occurrences and severity. 

Then Jesus gives us a picture of the future tribulations, events, instructions for those living in Judea at that time, conditions of the world, great signs and wonders that will mislead many (verse 9-28).  Jesus tells us in verse 29 that immediately after the tribulations of those days, the sun and moon will be darkened and stars will be falling from the sky.  Then, they who remain will see the son of man (Jesus) coming on the clouds of the sky (verse 30).

But much of the differing opinions among Christian scholars and believers starts with verse 32, the parable of the fig tree and what or whom the tree represents.  I believe the fig was used as an example of when new leaves sprout, we know summer is near (Luke 21 used fig tree and all trees).  Jesus went on to explain in verse 33..."you too, when you see (leaves sprout) all these things (signs contained in this prophecy) recognize that He (Jesus) is near, at the door.  I see the beginnings of many of these signs increasing every day.  I wonder if Jesus has the door cracked open now, maybe one foot out, ready to return.

Another difference in opinions is with verse 37..."For the coming of the son of man will be just like the days of Noah."  If we go back to Genesis:6, God gave us an account of life in those days.  It wasn't peaceful.  God was grieved in His heart.  Children were being born (nephilim or giants) to the daughters of men and the sons of God.  I believe this was children born to human women and angels of God.   Strange? Yes.

Decide for yourself, but many early church teachings express this view.  The wickedness was great.  Thoughts of evil were on men's minds continually, so much that God decided to blot out man, whom he created.  But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.  Then Matthew 24:38 says that before the flood, they were eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the day Noah and his family entered the ark.  They did not understand until the flood came and took them all away.  So will the coming of the son of man be.

Who is they?  I believe they are all the unrighteous (unsaved).  Noah and his three sons were already married.  They found mercy and grace in God's eyes.  They were obedient to God, preparing for the coming judgment on earth, and Noah was preaching and warning of the coming rains (judgment).

This is exactly where we are today.  The fig tree's signs are budding and increasing as birth pains do.  Unbelievers don't understand and are even mocking and persecuting those who believe in Christ Jesus, just as they mocked  Noah.  The whole world is in financial turmoil, setting up a one world government.  Man has evil on his mind continually.  Immoral and wicked deeds are happening with scientists trying to mix human DNA with animals (transhumanism).

I believe we are in the beginnings of the birth pains prior to entering the last seven years of the age.  We need to prepare as Noah did for the time we're living in by lowering our debts, stocking up on extra food and medical supplies and warning those who don't understand, just as Noah warned others.  If you're unsure how to prepare, pray for God's guidance. 

But there is great hope..."For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son (Jesus) that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).  No being can stop God's plans for mankind and you can't destroy God's truth by not believing it.  So why not be a part of His plans for all eternity?  God loves you.  Seek Him.

CREAM PUFFS IN VENICE AND DECOR TO ADORE

I spent the morning searching for some really good blogs that I could share with my readers.  Blog searching is very time-consuming, so I'm hoping that I saved you some time.  There are millions of blogs out there, but not all of them are good.  And it's rare to come across one that I'd describe as great.

I'm planning to do more canning this summer, so I was thrilled to discover Food In Jars.  And Pioneer Woman's claim to fame is the best chocolate cake and a lasagna recipe that only a true Italian could surpass.  These blogs are just fun to explore and I like the way they're set up.  They're very eye-appealing with lots of photos and plenty of personal comments about the photos so you're not left in the dark about what the pictures are all about.  I usually know within two minutes if a blog is worthy of my time.  Some bloggers really go the extra mile to make their sites outstanding.  Spend some time checking these out.  They are top notch.

 chocolateandzucchini.com
decortoadore.blogspot.com
http://www.101cookbooks.com
http://www.creampuffsinvenice.ca
http://www.foodinjars.com 
http://romantichome.blogspot.com 
thepioneerwoman.com
thepioneerwoman.com/cooking

THEIR OWN WORST ENEMIES

My husband says this all the time, Women are their own worst enemies.  In some ways, I agree.  There seems to be an underlying competitive spirit in many women.  Sometimes  I feel it when I make casual conversation with a woman.  She's not warm and friendly.  She's distant and cold and I don't want to stick around for long.

Sometimes this competitiveness stems from her own insecurity.   A friend of mine admitted recently that she needs to be the best all the time.  She realizes this about herself and she knows it's a form of pride, but she can't help herself.  This need to be the best makes it difficult for her to develop quality relationships with women.  They feel uneasy around her because they sense that she's trying to outdo them.

I've learned to avoid women who are constantly making cutting remarks, always trying to make themselves look better than someone else.  I feel sorry for them.  Instead of being happy for other women and their good fortune, they tear them down at every chance they get.  This kind of attitude sickens their own soul and makes them unattractive.  Do you think it's a coincidence that the two women who were recently at each other's throats on The Bachelor didn't get a rose?  What man wants to get involved with that?   

This is exactly why women are their own worst enemies.  They ruin opportunities for themselves by being so competitive.  They destroy relationships with their need to see other women fall.  And they end up alone and miserable because they can't relax and love themselves and appreciate others.  They just can't be happy for someone if that person has something they don't.

SPREADING THE WORD

Get in my Belly!

Posted by lamarzulli on January 17, 2011

Commentary & Analysis
by
L.A.Marzulli
‘One poor harvest away from chaos’
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthcomment/geoffrey-lean/8247029/One-poor-harvest-away-from-chaos.html
With the droughts, fires, floods of Biblical proportions, volcanic eruptions, tsunami’s, earthquakes, and the financial uncertainty that has become a global concern, food shortages may be lurking on the horizon.
This is a serious matter as is graphically demonstrated in Tunisia. The president has fled the country, and why, because of rising food prices, which caused the people to riot. Much of the same thing is happening in Haiti and in other countries. In my opinion, this is all part of the birth-pangs that we are warned of would happen in the last days.
Could things turn around? Sure they could, and let’s hope they do, but what if they don’t? We can go on living in our bubble and pretend that it can’t happen here, but let me admonish you, that if you haven’t started to stockpile some food now might be a good time to start. The bottom line for me is this, if things get worse you can’t eat gold bricks.
Here’s some proactive steps we can take in case it happens here.
1. You can survive for a long time on staples like peanut butter, canned tuna, Beffaroni. It’s easy to store and is packed with protein.
2. Canned foods have a shelf life that is much longer than the date that’s printed on the can. We have lot’s of canned foods in our stockpile.
3. We also have a large metal trash can – with the lid securely fastened, that holds rice and pasta.
4. We have cases of water and we also have our own well.
5. Freeze-dried foods are also a good resource in an emergency.
6. We have an active garden and grow some of our own food.
7. Stock up on seeds and fertilizer.
8. Purchase a weapon and learn how to use it. When Katrina happened we saw lawlessness abound!
9. Team up with other people of like-mind, so that you can pool you resources if an event happens.
10. Most important of all is not to be fear based. We are warned what would happen in the last days!
Are we in the birth-pangs? In my opinion we are. We are told that when we see the events, that are happening, all around us, in real-time, that we should be aware that Yashua/Jesus, the true king, is coming back.
The earth is beginning to reel like a drunken man. Has there been a pole shift? Why did the sun rise two days early in Greenland? It didn’t happen last year did it? You mean to tell me that much ice melted in one season? I don’t buy it. Events are adding up for those of us who have eyes to see. The Fallen One. grows bold and he is getting ready to play out his end game – the new Zodaic sign, which is the 13th, is called Serpentarius! I know that’s just a coincidence! He has been planning for thousands of years and now, in these last days, we see the signs of his demented handiwork all around us.
Be alert. Be prepared. Come to grips with what is happening and become proactive. Spread the word in love and warn others of what is taking place.

Gotta Keep Living, But Gotta Be Prepared

We can't shut down because strange things are happening in the world.  We do need to keep living and enjoying life, but we can do that and still be prepared.

After reading the first article at the link below, click on 7 reasons food shortages will become a global crisis at the bottom of the page. 





Activist Post: 5 Simple Ways To Prepare For The Coming Food Crisis

TOO COMFORTABLE TO CARE?

I will consume man and beast;  I will consume the birds of the heavens, The fish of the sea,  And the stumbling blocks along with the wicked
                                                                  Zephaniah 1:3

Jan 10, 2011

The Normalcy Bias and Bible Prophecy
By Todd Strandburg

I've been in the business of warning people about the end times for several decades now. One of the hardest tasks is convincing people that danger is coming their way. They have fallen prey to what is commonly called the normalcy bias.
The normalcy bias occurs when people underestimate both the possibility of a disaster occurring and its possible effects. This often results in situations in which people fail to adequately prepare for a disaster and, on a larger scale, the failure of the government to include the populace in its disaster preparations. The assumption made in the case of the normalcy bias is that since a catastrophe never has occurred, it never will. People judge their future according to how things have been in the past.
One of the most tragic examples of the normalcy bias is the experience of the Jews in Nazi Germany. Barton Biggs, in his book, Wealth, War, and Wisdom, gave a very good description of what happened:

By the end of 1935, 100,000 Jews had left Germany, but 450,000 [remained]. Wealthy Jewish families...kept thinking and hoping that the worst was over.

Many of the German Jews, brilliant, cultured, and cosmopolitan as they were, were too complacent. They had been in Germany so long and were so well established, they simply couldn't believe there was going to be a crisis that would endanger them. They were too comfortable. They believed the Nazis' anti-Semitism was an episodic event and that Hitler's bark was worse than his bite. [They] reacted sluggishly to the rise of Hitler for completely understandable but tragically erroneous reasons. Events moved much faster than they could imagine.

We saw the same type of calamity occur with Hurricane Katrina. Even as it became obvious that the levee system was collapsing, thousands of people stayed in their homes, directly in the line of the oncoming waves of water. The residence of New Orleans had never seen a levee failure, so they simply didn't believe it could happen. As a result, nearly 2,000 of them dead died in the flood.
The recent housing crisis was largely triggered by a normalcy bias. Since housing prices had never declined on a national scale for more than a few months, everyone felt safe about buying a home. Even though home prices had tripled in some markets, people still believed that housing prices would only move higher.
This same mindset is playing out in our national debt. Despite the facts that spending is out of control and debt is at levels that have always led to bankruptcy, there is only mild concern from investors. They have only known bonds to be 100 percent safe--and unlike stocks, they always retain their face value.
The normalcy bias has a strong relationship to Bible prophecy. Because we've never had famine, nuclear emergencies, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions on a global scale, people assume these disasters will never happen. Most of the same people believe that there is a God, yet they refuse to believe the dire predictions made by Him.
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" (2 Peter 3:3-4).
Situational awareness is the complete opposite of the normalcy bias. It involves having a full perception of your environment and a comprehension of what may transpire in the near future. Because other people may seek to provide you with false information, situational awareness requires you to be the guardian of your own life. Because we only have limited control over our fate, disaster can still strike from a thousand directions. The fault rests with us when we see danger coming and do nothing to get out of its way.
Humanity is facing a test right now that requires keen situational awareness. All the signs of the last days are coming together, and it’s important for everyone to know Jesus as the only One who can redeem them from the days to come.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).
-- Todd

---

Scanning a Fearful Future: Part 8
By Terry James
 Planet earth is on the brink of what both Glenn Beck and Hal Lindsey have stated they believe will be monetary and societal collapse of unprecedented magnitude. We also looked previously at a prophetic declaration by the Creator of all things, which is--I believe I can verify--about the generation that will be alive at the very end of the age.
Specifically, Jesus’ prophecy refers to one catastrophic moment in this present dispensation–the Church Age (Age of Grace)--when all of this world system will come crashing down.
Again, here’s the prophecy from Christ himself:
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:26-30)
Are the two cataclysms–the one Beck and Lindsey talk about on their TV programs and the one Jesus foretells--related to each other? If so, how?
We will now try to answer the questions about world collapse, whether persecution for American Christians is imminent, and how it might all be tied together prophetically. We will do so by looking in-depth at the details wrapped up in Jesus’ forecast for earth’s near future.
Jesus gave what I am convinced is the premiere end-of-the-Church-Age prophecy in Luke 17:26-30. He describes in considerable detail world conditions and activities at the moment He breaks in on things of this present age.
He tells in His prophecy just the opposite of what Glenn Beck says is on the brink of happening to the people of America and the world. That is, the Lord’s description of how the worldwide catastrophe will happen differs greatly from the Fox host’s prediction of the cause of the calamity he says is just around the corner.
Remember, Mr. Beck is predicting for the near future the direst of socioeconomic collapses. He recommends that we prepare for, quite likely, hyper-inflated times to come, at the very least. He indicates that he fears that from the collapse will spin draconian governmental measures to quell the rioting that will occur when those millions who are given government hand-outs no longer receive the largess. There is more than enough evidence of unchecked government today to prove Beck’s fears are well founded. The phenomenal growth of federal intrusion into practically every facet of the citizen’s life today portends grave consequences for liberty in the months and years just ahead. For example, bureaucratic regulation such as the move of the unelected FCC apparatchiks to invoke “net neutrality”–a Big Brother-like regulatory process that could eventuate in establishing dictatorial power over Internet usage--threatens anyone who would express opinions that run counter to state-approved language. The current administration intends to implement this despite the fact that a federal appeals court has ruled the administration doesn’t have the authority to do so.
Hal Lindsey sees the same cataclysm approaching, basically for the same reasons. He also recommends that we prepare for possible food shortages, and he says he believes Christians in this country will face severe persecution, which I infer to mean persecution of the sort suffered by martyrs for the cause of Christ. I must add here that I agree with both of these gentlemen–to some degree. And I disagree, also, with both--for differing reasons. But I reserve my thoughts in that regard for the biblically based logic I hope will make itself manifest as I analyze the words of the greatest of all prophets.
We now are basically familiar with what Glenn Beck and Hal Lindsey say about the two questions involving the probability of American and world socioeconomic collapse and, in Lindsey’s case, about Christians in America facing imminent, severe persecution.
Let’s dissect carefully what Jesus predicts for the times just ahead. I say with confidence that Jesus tells the future from this moment forward, based upon what I’m convinced His words are speaking to this generation at this very hour. He prophesied in the Luke 17:26-30 passages that in the “days” He, the “Son of man,” is about to break into earth’s history, mankind will be doing certain things. It will be a time like the days of Noah before the Flood and the days of Lot while he was still in Sodom.
People, the Lord said, will be eating, drinking, marrying, building, buying, selling, and planting. Things will be going along pretty much as normal for the time. The Lord indicates no catastrophic, worldwide socioeconomic breakdown of any sort in this time immediately before “the Son of man is revealed” (Luke17:30)–the time He breaks into human history.
This time cannot be the Second Advent of Revelation 19:11. At the time the Lord of Lords and King of Kings breaks through the planetary darkness of death and destruction at Armageddon, perhaps as many as three-fourths of all people on earth will have died as a result of wars, pestilence, and geophysical disasters brought about by God’s judgment and wrath upon an incorrigibly wicked, unrepentant world of earth-dwellers.
In other words, planet earth’s living conditions at the time of Christ’s return in power and glory at Armageddon will not be anything like living conditions at the time of His intervention into human affairs as He describes in the days of Noah, days of Lot prophecy. At the end of the seven-year Tribulation period, it will be anything but business as usual. It will truly be hell on earth when Jesus comes to destroy all human government and the soul-rending carnage it has produced.
So, Jesus, in the Luke 17 account, was foretelling the days leading up to the time when He calls His church to Himself–"His church" meaning all born-again believers who have lived and died during the Church Age (Age of Grace). This is known as the Rapture. To learn more about this stupendous event, read 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-3, and Revelation 4:1-2.
To repeat, Jesus was not describing His coming back to earth in the Luke 17:26-30 prophecy. He was telling about His coming to above the planet to receive His people–Christians—to Himself. Christians–the Church—then will accompany Him back to the heavenly places He has prepared for them in the Father’s house–heaven.
Again, we have reached the limits of our space for this commentary. We will next further examine Jesus’ telling us about–I’m convinced—this very hour in which you and I inhabit planet earth.
--Terry

WHO KNEW?

This blog was featured on Rachael Ray, so you know it's worth checking out.  Five Dollar Dinners offers recipes that you can use to make a meal for five dollars or less.  You also get a great source for printable coupons, free e-mail updates, online freebies, a free newsletter full of money saving tips, printable grocery lists and meal/menu planning sheets, a free personal finance newsletter, and free online money management software.  You can also enter to win a free cookbook.  As Rachael would say, Who knew?!  Now you know.  Check it out.

http://www.5dollardinners.com

A HIPPIE GYPSY FARM CHICK

She bounced through the first years of her life in a hippie gypsy wagon hand-built by her father.  They traveled the back roads of the US, Canada, and Mexico.  That might explain why this blog is the most interesting I've come across so far.  Serena has a clever knack for thrifty creativity and a lot of talent with a camera.  You will love this blog!  To me it was like looking for treasure at a really good flea market.  One great discovery after another.  And she has some great cookbooks and idea books on Amazon.  Enjoy!

http://www.thefarmchicks.typepad.com

MY FRUGAL ADVENTURE

Today's blog entry (actually written Monday morning) is a continuation of my post on Friday about a wonderful book I discovered at a second-hand store, Frugal Luxuries.  The neatest part about finding that treasure of a book was the prayer I said before I left that morning.  I asked God to reveal himself to me as I ventured out that day to visit my favorite thrift store. I asked Him to bring something wonderful into my day that I'd know could only be from Him.  This concept of inviting God to go with me and asking Him to bring a blessing was something I learned from another great book, Twelve Days Out With God.  I haven't yet learned to make a habit of this, but that day I asked God to let me see His love for me through the things I came across that day.  I had no idea how amazingly he would answer that prayer.

As I was scanning the shelves for bargains, I came across a painting of Jesus.  Then I looked on the shelf directly above it and saw a white ceramic plaque.  It almost looked like the back of a photo frame.  I couldn't quite figure out what such an item would be used for, but after reading what was handwritten in pencil, I was too overjoyed to care.  "Jesus loves you.  Jesus loves you."  Not once, but twice I was told that I'm loved.  And a painting of Jesus stood on the shelf below as I read those words.  I put a finger to the corner of my eye to catch a tear.  Could my prayer have been answered in a more incredible way?

Well God didn't stop there.  He also led me to a book that I absolutely fell in love with.  It had me at Chapter One.  Tracey McBride helped me to remember what is truly of value in my life.  Her incredible wisdom has inspired me to view my family, friends, and home as if I were returning from a very long journey. She challenged me to find beauty where others overlook it.  Since reading Frugal Luxuries: Simple Pleasures to Enhance Your Life and Comfort Your Soul, I want to do so many things I don't know where to start.  She has me wanting to grow an herb garden.  I'll start with the easy herbs like parsley, dill, basil and oregano.  But lavender and lemon verbena will be my star herbs because they smell so fabulous.  She suggests tucking a sprig of scented herb into a card before sending it.  Isn't that a great idea?

Tracey has me wanting to transform my dingy laundry room into a place I would look forward to going.  She says, "any area in which you must spend large amounts of time should be made as attractive as possible."   She has me wanting to go through my closets, tossing out clothes I don't wear and discovering new outfits by mixing and matching what's left.  She reminded me that humor and common courtesy are necessary ingredients to daily life.  And learning to make something from nothing is magic.  I want to get out my sewing machine and create things.  I want to be more enthusiastic about my daily tasks so I can transform the mundane into the delightful.  She's inspired me to be more inquisitive because asking people about their work brings out the best in them.

If I took every piece of advice Tracey offers and applied it to my life, I would have transformed living.  I would garnish my meals with good humor and cheerfulness.  Organize the atmosphere in my kitchen with well-organized drawers and cupboards.  I'd be more into gardening because the act of nurturing a garden nourishes the soul, and preparing the bounty from a garden is the most frugal of luxuries.  "There is life, substance and joy in the warm earth that seems to draw discontent and edginess out of the soul," says McBride.

This book has been a gift to my soul and the icing on the cake was delivered the day after I wrote the review for Tracey's book, two entries ago. Saturday morning I noticed that I had a new follower on my blog.  When I clicked on the photo, I couldn't believe who it was.  The author herself, Tracey McBride had "accidentally" discovered my blog and she wrote a comment telling me how happy she was that I had been inspired by her book.  That was no accident.  Remember my prayer?  We serve an amazing God and He came through for me.  Talk about a frugal luxury!  The joy that her comment brought me was so uplifting my soul danced.  And every time I see her photo on my followers list, I smile.  Because it reminds me of my prayer and how much I'm loved.  I'll be saying that prayer more often.  Frugal Adventures await.

Coffee Tea Books and Me

You'll enjoy exploring the blog below, Coffee, Tea, Books and Me.  I went straight to the recipes section and discovered a recipe for Nilla Vanilla wafers.  I can eat a whole box of those in one day.  OOps! Did I really admit that?  There's more to this blog than great recipes.  Check it out.




http://coffeeteabooksandme.blogspot.com

APPRECIATING SIMPLE THINGS

By Danelle Carvell

The subject of frugality has been on my mind lately.  So when I came across a book titled, Frugal Luxuries:  Simple Pleasures to Enhance Your Life and Comfort Your Soul, I knew it was meant for me.  I couldn't find the book on Amazon, perhaps because it was published in 1997, but I want to share some of its wisdom because this is the kind of book that could change your life if you take it seriously and try to do what the author suggests.

Tracey McBride says she wrote the book to build and reinforce the attitude that life is brimming with simple comforts,  and we don't need a lot of money to bring these luxuries into our lives and savor them on a daily basis.  McBride defines frugality as the careful use of materials and resources and the unwillingness to squander goods or spend money unnecessarily.  She says that without frugality we may be tossed upon the waves of circumstance, at the  mercy of our unorganized whims.

Frugal people shouldn't be confused with miserly people who deprive themselves of all but the barest of essentials for the sole purpose of hoarding money.  "To be frugal is to set higher standards for your thoughts, behavior, activities, surroundings and possessions," says McBride.  "A frugalite ( a word of her own making) is one who enjoys comfortable, attractive surroundings and endeavors to transform the simplest foods into a feast."

Each person who practices frugality shares a respect for the art says the author: "They view frugality as an exciting activity and seek out bargains in an almost sporting manner, finding joy in discovering a good buy and being responsible with their hard-earned dollars."  This is the part I love about frugality.  It can be a thrilling treasure hunt, and the money I save can be used to enhance my life even more or to enhance the lives of others.  It just makes sense to be discerning about handing over money that I worked so hard for. The time it takes me to earn forty dollars as a writer is more than you'd expect.  So I ask myself if an item is really worth six hours of mental toil.  Most of the time, the answer is No.

But there's more to frugality than spending wisely. We can actually elevate the quality of our lives without stressing our finances.  We don't have to confine ourselves to material things in our quest for a satisfying, comfortable lifestyle.  Some of the finest things we can enjoy in life are things that can't be perceived by the five senses. Intangible things like love, health, joy, learning, and kindness are even more satisfying than the things money can buy.  "Many people neglect to appreciate the gentle kindnesses and tender mercies that touch their lives on a daily basis," says McBride.

I'm trying to be more tuned in to the simple joys that come my way each day.  Before I go out I try to remember to look for anything that might make me feel blessed.   When I'm tuned in to these things, I experience more of them.   Friendly people at check out counters start up conversations without any prompting from me.  I discover little treasures throughout the day that lift my spirits.  Because I'm tuned in to my surroundings, I find joy in all kinds of things.  I'll overhear a conversation between a mother and her child and it makes me smile.  I'll stop to smell the roses in the grocery store instead of just walking past them.  I try to anticipate moments of joy and I look for opportunities to experience joy in the people, things, and circumstances that I come across.


 By allowing ourselves to delight in ordinary things and occurrences we can bring more pleasure, comfort and  luxury into our lives.   "Make a conscious decision at this moment to appreciate what your own life has to offer in the way of frugal luxuries," McBride says.  Some examples of frugal luxuries?  Smelling the herbs growing in the garden, the laughter of a baby, and traveling to another place and time with a hard-to-put-down book.  For me those luxuries would include the sweet taste of a fresh summer strawberry, a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallow, a good glass of wine or a warm cup of tea, and snuggling on the sofa with soft blankets, my family, a great movie, and a bowl of kettle popcorn.  Did every one of those include food?

"It has been my observation that too may people forget to enjoy these simple pleasures on a regular basis.  They seem to wait for the Shangri-la of someday rather than adjust their attitudes and sample the small indulgences found in ordinary events...There are so many outstanding experiences that are lost because people do not take the time to recognize and savor them," says Mc Bride. "By ignoring the opportunities to experience these riches, you may be missing out on the finest moments of life."

How do we elevate the ordinary and make it valuable?  Through the art of appreciation.  By consistently letting people know that we value them, we cultivate the art of appreciation.  We can appreciate our friends, display love to family, and say thank you to those who serve us like waitresses, grocery baggers, and bank tellers.  When was the last time you said, "Thanks, I appreciate your help"?  Greeting people by name is another way to appreciate them. "If we appreciate simple things, such as the people we encounter in our lives, our work, intangibles, and ourselves, we appreciate life," says McBride.

I'll write more about this on Monday, but I want to mention that the book I displayed on this page, One Thousand Gifts, is one I believe is similar to the book I'm writing about now, Frugal Luxuries.  I just ordered it from Amazon.  One Thousand Gifts is a brand new release and it's one of those things that kept popping up everywhere I turned.  When something keeps appearing before my eyes, I take it as a sign that it's something I should look into. 

I'll close for today by saying I've concluded that blogging every day is not a realistic goal for me.  So I won't be posting any lengthy type on Thursday and my only weekend posts will be written by guest writers.  So if you like my blog, become a follower or a subscriber so you'll receive notification of new posts.  I don't always post new entries on facebook as I once did.  See you Monday.   Do something luxuriously frugal this weekend.

GET YOUR FRUGAL GROOVE ON

I keep hearing rumors of four dollars a gallon for gas by summer.  Hubby and I are looking for ways to cut back even more on our already frugal lifestyle.  We have our heirloom seeds for the garden.  I have my eyes out for canning jars and an inexpensive canning pot.  Our hot water heater is turned down to the lowest setting, and hubby keeps us on track with five-minute showers.  I never go over five minutes because I'm quick in the shower, but my daughter goes over the limit quite often.  When the shower police knocks on the bathroom door, she picks up the pace.

Saving money takes some thought and discipline, but there are so many ways to keep money from slipping through your fingers.  We bought those weird-looking light bulbs and we're trying to keep lights turned off when possible.  Today I opened all the curtains and was amazed at how much natural light came in.  I dilute whole milk instead of buying low fat, we reuse scrap paper and cut paper towels in half. Any paper that has no writing on the back gets put into a drawer for future use.  I cut the paper into long strips for grocery lists or into smaller squares for note taking. Computer paper often gets printed on both sides.  We stopped buying bottled water and purchased some reusable steel water bottles instead.  I wash my clothes in cold water and use half the amount of detergent suggested.  And I've been making my own household cleaners for at least a year now.

Our latest cut back will be recycling our garbage.  We're planning to buy a burn barrel for paper and everything else will have to be recycled.  This will mean I'll have to eliminate things like aerosol cans and anything that can't be recycled, so I'll have to change the way I shop, but to save almost three hundred dollars a year in garbage pick up fees is worth the effort.  That's two weeks worth of groceries for us.

Today I spent a good hour searching for blogs and websites about saving money.  I came across two I liked and even got a coupon for a free bag of pretzels at frugalmom.  Check them out and see what you can do to keep more of your hard-earned money in your own hands.
 www.thefrugalmom.net
www.familyfriendlyfrugality.com

One of the most difficult emotions is discouragement. I don't like feeling discouraged and I hate to see that look of exhausted frustration in my child's eyes. Even my husband comes home from work discouraged at times and it always changes my mood. Discouragement is one emotion that's very contagious.

Many people are feeling discouraged right now. They're losing jobs or struggling to learn new jobs. They're juggling the demands of work, home, and family. They're feeling pushed down by debt or bills they can't pay. America was once referred to as the richest country in the world. Yet some hard-working folks can barely afford to live here...even those that can are feeling the pinch.

This afternoon, I got online to search for answers about God and discouragement. Somehow I landed on Hal Lindsey's site and viewed his April 3rd report. That's where I got my answer and I realized the secret to living above discouragement. If you don't get Hal Lindsey on TV, you can view his report online each week. He calls himself "the watchman on the wall" and he is obviously a man blessed with godly wisdom.

His April 3rd report was different from any of his previous reports because it focused on faith not world events or bible prophecy. I felt like he was talking directly to me when he explained that we need to see the giants in our lives through God's eyes not through our own understanding or through the world's eyes. He referred to the biblical David and how he slayed Goliath by having faith in God's ability to help him. The world saw the size of the giant Goliath and didn't believe David had a chance. But David knew the power of his God and he boldly stepped forward and believed he would have victory.

This reinforces something I read recently about how women have three views of themselves--their own view, the opinions of others, and God's view. But the only valid opinion comes from God. Not only must we see ourselves through God's eyes, but we also need to see our problems through God's eyes. He created us and he certainly has the ability to care for us. Hal Lindsey called it "breaking the faith barrier" when we begin to see everything from a godly perspective.

Whenever we face a decision, we tend to look at the problem from a worldly perspective.  We want to make the right choices but we wonder if those choices will bring unwelcome misery into our lives.  We wonder how we will manage if we step out in faith and make that choice.  We forget that God always blesses our right decisions and he will sustain us through every good decision we make, especially if that decision was made to help someone else.  

The Bible promises that God will sustain us when we cast our burdens on Him.  It also says that we shouldn't lean on our own understanding, but we should acknowledge God's power and He will make our paths straight.  Most of our stress in life comes from not seeing our problems from a godly perspective.  We forget that He has the power to sustain us through anything.  He has resources at His disposal that he can pour out on us at any time. 

I learned a lot about discouragement this week. I know it will continue to be a part of my life. But whether or not it crushes me depends on how I look at it. Will I invite fear and anxiety by seeing the problem with my own understanding and the limitations of this world? Will I value the opinions of others? Or will I set my sights higher and see the challenge through God's eyes, believing his promises to care for all my needs when I stay close to Him and walk in His will.

MY ONLY RESOLUTION SO FAR

Hello bloggers... Happy 2011

I messed up the kitchen this morning with some homemade pancakes that were so much better than the boxed stuff, I vowed never to use pancake mix from a box again. (My only New Year's resolution so far).  My husband said that with butter and powdered sugar on top, they taste just like the funnel cakes we love at the fairs and carnivals.  My daughter prefers hers with chocolate chips melted on top.  Sprinkle choc.chips on pancakes straight off the griddle then cover with a lid or plate until the chips melt. There are so many yummy  things you can put on pancakes.  My absolute favorite way to eat them is with fresh strawberry sauce on top and a big pile of whipped cream.  Hurry up summer!

Today I discovered a recipe blog that might be the best one I've come across so far.  Raspberry bread pudding?  That has to be heavenly.  And Grandma's Banana pudding can't be far behind.  My eyes were wide and my mouth was watering looking over this site.  The photos are delicious.  This blog speaks for itself, so I'll say no more. Check it out and be inspired to create something in the kitchen.
http://sisterscafe.blogspot.com