"Whatever you hold on to will hold on to you" I read that quote today on one of my favorite blogs. I know this to be true because I have made the mistake of holding on to ugly things for far too long. And I don't mean my clogs from the eighties. I mean negative energy that brings sickness on the body. Unforgiveness, anger, ongoing frustration, and hurt feelings actually cause our bodies to become acidic, which is the perfect environment for diseases to thrive. This year has been one of the worst of my life. Perhaps the worst year ever. I will be so happy to see it go and to have a fresh start in January.
I guess I think that because I try so hard to glorify God that maybe I should have some special favor upon me. My children shouldn't get so sick that we consider a midnight visit to the emergency room. I shouldn't wake up to a swollen infected eye that looks so hideous I wonder if my eye and skin will be permanently damaged. I shouldn't have to deal with arthritis and all its unpleasant symptoms. I shouldn't have insomnia. I shouldn't have back pain. I shouldn't have dental problems since I take excellent care of my teeth. And I shouldn't have to deal with thoughtless people. That's an incomplete list of the ugly things that came my way this year.
But life doesn't hold back pain for people who are good. And sometimes the ugly things are a result of our own doing. For example, several years ago I fell while skating backwards. That decision to go roller skating in my late forties led to my back problems. That was my doing. Also, I believe my insomnia is the result of my taking a prescription drug that should not be on the market. Drugs can cause permanent neurological damage and sometimes death. But I trusted my doctor and paid the price. That was my own doing. I should have researched the side effects.
I could blame God for letting these things happen, but what would that get me? If I hold on to resentment, then I can add one more thing to my list of ailments. Because anger and resentment have been proven to make people physically sick. Whatever I hold on to will hold on to me. So I have to let it go. I have to make amends with those who hurt me. I have to forgive. I can't go on rehearsing things I should have said that really would have stuck it to them. I have to lay it all down and walk away from it. Only God is big enough to deal with hurt that big. If I hang on to it, it will destroy me.
I can tell when someone is holding on to resentment. Their body language gives them away. They are impatient and often sarcastic. Their words come out like bullets, with the intention of harming others. When they speak, you can see the annoyance on their faces. They are hanging on to past hurts and that hurt is hanging on to them. That hurt has changed the way they relate to others and it's changed the way they view life. They are angry people walking around spreading their anger everywhere they go. And because of this, they can't attract anything good into their lives. That wall of resentment keeps the good things out and they remain imprisoned in a mud hole of their own making.
I've learned that the quickest way to get rid of resentment is to start praying for those who hurt you. Do anything you can to restore the relationship. Make a phone call, write a letter, go see the person and let him or her know that you want to let it go. For your own peace of mind, speak your mind and put it to rest. I did this recently and after talking to the person, I realized that the relationship can't be restored because I simply can't trust her. When I can't trust people, I don't want to be around them. It's okay to distance yourself from people who don't bring anything good into your life. That's not resentment that's self-preservation.
With a new year right around the corner, it might be a good idea to ask yourself if you're hanging on to any past hurts. If you are, don't take them with you into the next year. Set yourself free from the ugliness you've wrapped yourself in and see the difference it will make in your life. I can tell you from experience, it's like walking out of a dark cave into the bright abundant life God intended for you. You will begin to attract blessings again. People will notice that you talk differently and you are pleasant to be around. The energy you give to the world will always reflect back on you, positive or negative. So the one who benefits most from letting go of past hurts is you.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
I Leave You With This Thought: Are You Ready?
Nov 5, 2012
Hurricane Sandy: Yet Another "100-Year-Event"
from Rapture Ready
Once again, the U.S. has been hit by a disaster being described as a record or 100-year event. Hurricane Sandy caused wide-scale destruction as it slammed into the East Coast of the U.S. It will take weeks to add up the cost of all the damage, but we already have enough raw data to make the storm one for the history books. Here is a rundown of seven historic milestones:
The press has been trying to find a silver lining in the storm by promoting the idea that the economy will receive a shot in the arm by all the government spending and rebuilding that will take place in the coming months. There is nothing financially positive about a disaster that destroys property. Once we rebuild, we are only back to where we were before the hurricane. Thousands of small businesses will probably fail because of the economic stress that Sandy will place on them. The relief effort and lost taxes will eventually add another $100 billion to our ballooning nation debt.
Terry and I were recently talking about the possibility of a storm like Sandy occurring. We had noticed that the cycle for natural disasters was speeding up, and it looked about time for another birth pang. Jesus gave us the pattern for the last days when He told His disciples that warning signs would come like birth pains.
"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. 'Tell us,' they said, 'when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?' Jesus answered: 'Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, "I am the Messiah," and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains'" (Matthew 24:3-8 NIV).
I firmly believe the birth pains factor is the reason we are seeing so many events with 100-year label. This year was already pegged as an historic year for drought and massive heat. Now we can add Hurricane Sandy to the mix.
Last year was marked by record tornadoes and flooding. There were so many tornadoes, we set a record for setting records in the variety of this type of disaster.
The year 2010 was a grab bag of natural disasters. That year was the deadliest in more than a generation. Earthquakes, heat waves, floods, volcanoes, super typhoons, blizzards, landslides, and droughts killed more than 260,000 people.
It is amazing how quickly we become accustomed to the increased frequency of disasters. Do you remember way, way back in March of 2011 when Japan suffered its worst recorded earthquake in its history? And do you remember way, way, way, way back in January of 2010 when 250,000 people were killed by another quake that struck Haiti? In many times in the past century, you could go a decade without seeing an earthquake of any great significance.
We are now at a point where disasters have become so frequent and massive is scale, the news life cycle of an single event is very brief. Tropical Storm Irene was a bad storm, but it has been wiped from everyone's memory by Hurricane Sandy.
God is clearly trying to get man's attention with all these calamities. The Lord is very patient, but He is no fool. Eventually, the warnings will end and the final judgment will begin. "Am I truly ready?" is the question everyone needs to ask themselves.
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21: 8-11, 25-28). --Todd
Hurricane Sandy: Yet Another "100-Year-Event"
from Rapture Ready
Once again, the U.S. has been hit by a disaster being described as a record or 100-year event. Hurricane Sandy caused wide-scale destruction as it slammed into the East Coast of the U.S. It will take weeks to add up the cost of all the damage, but we already have enough raw data to make the storm one for the history books. Here is a rundown of seven historic milestones:
-
The NYC Subway System has suffered the worst disruption in its 108 years of operation.
-
New York City experienced the highest surge ever. A record high water level of 13.88 feet was set at the Battery Park point, breaking the oldest official record of 10.02 feet.
-
Sandy’s central pressure bottomed out at 940 millibars, setting a record for the lowest pressure of an Atlantic storm north of Cape Hatteras, NC.
-
According to the National Hurricane Center, Sandy is the largest land-falling Atlantic tropical cyclone, which had tropical storm force winds extending out to 600 miles.
-
The New York Stock Exchange closed for two days — the first time it's been closed for two consecutive days due to weather since 1888, when a blizzard struck the city.
-
The storm cut power to over 8 million customers. This is the largest storm-related outage in the history of Con Edison.
-
New York Harbor's surf also reached a record level when a buoy measured a 32.5-foot wave Monday. That wave was 6.5 feet taller than a 25-foot wave churned up by Hurricane Irene in 2011.
The press has been trying to find a silver lining in the storm by promoting the idea that the economy will receive a shot in the arm by all the government spending and rebuilding that will take place in the coming months. There is nothing financially positive about a disaster that destroys property. Once we rebuild, we are only back to where we were before the hurricane. Thousands of small businesses will probably fail because of the economic stress that Sandy will place on them. The relief effort and lost taxes will eventually add another $100 billion to our ballooning nation debt.
Terry and I were recently talking about the possibility of a storm like Sandy occurring. We had noticed that the cycle for natural disasters was speeding up, and it looked about time for another birth pang. Jesus gave us the pattern for the last days when He told His disciples that warning signs would come like birth pains.
"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. 'Tell us,' they said, 'when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?' Jesus answered: 'Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, "I am the Messiah," and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains'" (Matthew 24:3-8 NIV).
I firmly believe the birth pains factor is the reason we are seeing so many events with 100-year label. This year was already pegged as an historic year for drought and massive heat. Now we can add Hurricane Sandy to the mix.
Last year was marked by record tornadoes and flooding. There were so many tornadoes, we set a record for setting records in the variety of this type of disaster.
The year 2010 was a grab bag of natural disasters. That year was the deadliest in more than a generation. Earthquakes, heat waves, floods, volcanoes, super typhoons, blizzards, landslides, and droughts killed more than 260,000 people.
It is amazing how quickly we become accustomed to the increased frequency of disasters. Do you remember way, way back in March of 2011 when Japan suffered its worst recorded earthquake in its history? And do you remember way, way, way, way back in January of 2010 when 250,000 people were killed by another quake that struck Haiti? In many times in the past century, you could go a decade without seeing an earthquake of any great significance.
We are now at a point where disasters have become so frequent and massive is scale, the news life cycle of an single event is very brief. Tropical Storm Irene was a bad storm, but it has been wiped from everyone's memory by Hurricane Sandy.
God is clearly trying to get man's attention with all these calamities. The Lord is very patient, but He is no fool. Eventually, the warnings will end and the final judgment will begin. "Am I truly ready?" is the question everyone needs to ask themselves.
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21: 8-11, 25-28). --Todd
Saturday, November 3, 2012
PRIORITY SHIFT
I spent the past four days caring for a sick child. Caretaking is probably the most exhausting job there is, especially when caring for someone you really love. Emotions get involved with the constant demand for bed sheet changes, food, water, tissues, help getting out of bed, pain meds, antibiotics, throat spray, cool washcloths, back rubs, changing the vaporizer water, taking covers off, putting them back on, nasal spray, vapor rub, checking the fever temp, praying, crying and running to the pharmacy for the next thing that might help her feel better.
This is what I've been doing since Wednesday. Between the work and the emotional drain, a person can become exhausted. The absolute worst thing about being a mom is watching your children suffer. Today I feel that my priorities have shifted drastically. My heart just isn't into blogging. So I'm taking a break. If it's possible for you to slow down and spend more time loving someone today, don't miss the chance.
Danelle
This is what I've been doing since Wednesday. Between the work and the emotional drain, a person can become exhausted. The absolute worst thing about being a mom is watching your children suffer. Today I feel that my priorities have shifted drastically. My heart just isn't into blogging. So I'm taking a break. If it's possible for you to slow down and spend more time loving someone today, don't miss the chance.
Danelle
Friday, November 2, 2012
IS FLIRTING FUN OR FOOLISH?
Do you know that the Bible tells us how God feels about flirting? Yet many Christian girls take part in this believed-to-be harmless habit. They attend church on Sundays and claim to love the Lord, but in the company of boys, you see them tossing their hair around and being seductive with their bodies and their facial expressions.
This behavior has become more and more accepted as overall morals decline. We talk about modesty in the way we dress, but are we being modest in our body language?
http://www.girlsgonewise.com/to-flirt-or-not-to-flirt/
This behavior has become more and more accepted as overall morals decline. We talk about modesty in the way we dress, but are we being modest in our body language?
http://www.girlsgonewise.com/to-flirt-or-not-to-flirt/
Thursday, November 1, 2012
ALWAYS GOOD ENOUGH TO GOD
Many women who seem to have perfect lives really don't. From the outside looking in, we think that they have everything a woman could ask for, but if we catch these women being very honest, they confess to moments of insecurity, doubts, fears, and wondering if they are really any good at anything. They feel like everything they do is only half good enough. They doubt the direction that their lives have taken and they wonder if perhaps they should give up and start over.
All my life I have felt that my efforts were never as good as they could be. If I write one story in a week, I think that I should have written two. If I create a piece of artwork, I question why I haven't created more. If I accept a job or start a business, I wonder if I'm doing enough. Each day I question if I've accomplished what I'm capable of doing. And should I be doing more?
Where do these feelings come from? What causes us to doubt ourselves and feel like we should be more than we are? Is it the culture we live in that tells us we're not good enough? Do we forget that our identity is in Christ and fall into the cultural trap of comparing and competing? We see someone who is doing so much more and we put pressure on ourselves to step up our game.
Or maybe these feelings are just normal for every woman. Just like the days we live in, which are sometimes sunny and sometimes gloomy, we ourselves have ups and downs. Perhaps God made us that way so that when we feel depressed, inadequate, or fearful, we will draw closer to Him.
Our culture tells us that if we're feeling down we should pop a pill, get a new job, have a lifestyle lift or maybe lose a little weight and everything will be fine. No one ever tells us that we need to go to God in prayer, praise and worship. No one ever suggests that it's a spiritual issue.
The answer to life's problems can always be found when we fall on our knees. I've learned to use those gloomy feelings as an indication that it's time to check in with my Lord. Maybe I've been too busy to pray. The further I get from God, the darker my days become. Because God is my source of strength. He's my source of light, my source of joy, and my source of peace.
Without Him, my mind will not rest and my fears will take over.
Without Him I'm never good enough. But with Him I'm everything I need to be. Read the blog entry below written by someone who seems to have it all together but who doesn't always feel that way.
http://lysaterkeurst.com/2012/11/from-overpowered-to-empowered/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzEmail&utm_campaign=0&utm_content=303165
All my life I have felt that my efforts were never as good as they could be. If I write one story in a week, I think that I should have written two. If I create a piece of artwork, I question why I haven't created more. If I accept a job or start a business, I wonder if I'm doing enough. Each day I question if I've accomplished what I'm capable of doing. And should I be doing more?
Where do these feelings come from? What causes us to doubt ourselves and feel like we should be more than we are? Is it the culture we live in that tells us we're not good enough? Do we forget that our identity is in Christ and fall into the cultural trap of comparing and competing? We see someone who is doing so much more and we put pressure on ourselves to step up our game.
Or maybe these feelings are just normal for every woman. Just like the days we live in, which are sometimes sunny and sometimes gloomy, we ourselves have ups and downs. Perhaps God made us that way so that when we feel depressed, inadequate, or fearful, we will draw closer to Him.
Our culture tells us that if we're feeling down we should pop a pill, get a new job, have a lifestyle lift or maybe lose a little weight and everything will be fine. No one ever tells us that we need to go to God in prayer, praise and worship. No one ever suggests that it's a spiritual issue.
The answer to life's problems can always be found when we fall on our knees. I've learned to use those gloomy feelings as an indication that it's time to check in with my Lord. Maybe I've been too busy to pray. The further I get from God, the darker my days become. Because God is my source of strength. He's my source of light, my source of joy, and my source of peace.
Without Him, my mind will not rest and my fears will take over.
Without Him I'm never good enough. But with Him I'm everything I need to be. Read the blog entry below written by someone who seems to have it all together but who doesn't always feel that way.
http://lysaterkeurst.com/2012/11/from-overpowered-to-empowered/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzEmail&utm_campaign=0&utm_content=303165
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The Country Cook: 7Up Cake
The Country Cook: 7Up Cake: Whenever I make any type of bundt cake, I always think of the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I just love that movie. "What do you ...
The Country Cook: Coca Cola Cake
The Country Cook: Coca Cola Cake: Here I go with yet another cake recipe . Please forgive me, I just love cake. It's in my genetic make-up. I'm predisposed to lovin...
Monday, October 29, 2012
SaltTree: The Perfect Sandwich Loaf
I made bread a few days ago and although it was good, it wasn't the ultimate recipe that I would use again and again. This recipe might be the one. There's something very satisfying about bread making. The way the kitchen smells. The way the butter melts over a warm slice. And the memories of my mom baking braided loaves of crusty bread. It's the one thing that comes out of the oven that feels most like home. When the weather turns cold or rainy, I want to bake bread.
SaltTree: The Perfect Sandwich Loaf: Since I got that wicked birthday present known as 'present of awesomeness' aka, Kitchen Aid stand mixer, I've been using it for everyth...
SaltTree: The Perfect Sandwich Loaf: Since I got that wicked birthday present known as 'present of awesomeness' aka, Kitchen Aid stand mixer, I've been using it for everyth...
The Safety and Effectiveness of the HPV Vaccine is Unproven!
Were it to be discovered that the HPV vaccine, in fact, does not
effectively prevent cancer, then young women (and now boys) are being
exposed to clearly unacceptable health risks. And that's precisely what a
recent study has concluded...
The Safety and Effectiveness of the HPV Vaccine is Unproven!
The Safety and Effectiveness of the HPV Vaccine is Unproven!
WILL AMERICA LISTEN?
I believe God is reminding us that America’s fate lies not in the hands of the politicians, but in His hands.
Will America listen? Will we realize how fragile our existence is, how
desperately we need the Lord’s divine love and protection?Please
pray for the Lord God Almighty to dissipate the intensity of the storm
and to protect the lives of people and property. Pray, too, that the
Lord uses this moment to motivate Americans to repent of our sins and
turn to faith in Jesus Christ as our only hope of personal and national
salvation and rescue. “If My people, who are called by My name, will
humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked
ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal
their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/gods-october-surprise-hurricane-sandy-poses-worst-case-scenario-says-experts/
http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/gods-october-surprise-hurricane-sandy-poses-worst-case-scenario-says-experts/
Why would God Judge America? | Informed Christians
Do you
think a people can ignore murder in their country, condone by silence its
practice, permit its teachings in its schools, and fund the butchering
with public money and yet remain unpunished?
Why would God Judge America? | Informed Christians
Why would God Judge America? | Informed Christians
AMERICA UNDER JUDGMENT
"If you add the area of the drought and now the hurricane together, it
would be about 80 percent of the country! As I said, the Holy God of
Israel is systematically destroying America right before our eyes." - John McTernan
http://defendproclaimthefaith.org/blog/?p=2984
http://defendproclaimthefaith.org/blog/?p=2984
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
God's Girl Living on His Purpose: How Does A Woman of God Conduct Herself
God's Girl Living on His Purpose: How Does A Woman of God Conduct Herself: “ All the city . . . doth know that thou art a virtuous woman ” Ruth 3:11 Do I have a reputation for being a woman of virtue and godly c...
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
YES, GOD SAYS WE HAVE A SOUND MIND
In the Bible, God tells us that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Why believe a doctor who tells you otherwise?
http://naturalsociety.com/depression-chemical-imbalance-doesnt-exist/
http://naturalsociety.com/depression-chemical-imbalance-doesnt-exist/
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
ONE BIG PHOTO
If you appreciate photography, you'll love exploring this site.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1IGYSV/:1nss9eWna:aIuq6C4p/onebigphoto.com/chicago-at-winter/
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1IGYSV/:1nss9eWna:aIuq6C4p/onebigphoto.com/chicago-at-winter/
COLOR AND LIGHT ON CANVAS
If you appreciate art, you'll love these paintings created with a palette knife instead of a brush
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1zjan8/:pYo91!g0:Y!B1VxGx/amolife.com/image/art/oil-painting-by-leonid-afremov.html/
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1zjan8/:pYo91!g0:Y!B1VxGx/amolife.com/image/art/oil-painting-by-leonid-afremov.html/
MOVE TO A TREEE
I had a children's book about brothers and sisters who packed their bags with sweaters and socks and scarves and mittens and woolen caps and moved to a tree. "We liked our tree," the book said. "There was always a breeze in the afternoon that...." I don't remember the rest, but I had that book memorized as a child.
I spent a lot of time in trees when I was growing up in the small town of Pillow PA in the sixties and seventies. These photos brought back those memories. Who wouldn't want to spend time in a tree if it meant living in a place like this?
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1yQPV7/:qCmq18F!:XeYJvbS+/sheepy.me/a-dream-treehouse/
I spent a lot of time in trees when I was growing up in the small town of Pillow PA in the sixties and seventies. These photos brought back those memories. Who wouldn't want to spend time in a tree if it meant living in a place like this?
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1yQPV7/:qCmq18F!:XeYJvbS+/sheepy.me/a-dream-treehouse/
Monday, October 22, 2012
FEELING CREEPY ABOUT IT
I recently posted some information about Halloween. If you scroll down you can find the article and videos. After reading about the satanic origin of Halloween, I feel uneasy about it. But I haven't yet forbid my daughter from participating in all Halloween activities. Although this is the year that we said it's time for her to stop getting dressed up and going trick or treating, she is participating in Halloween parades this week.
What is a parent to do when the school band is in the Halloween parade and your daughter is in the school band?
What is a parent to do when the dance class your daughter just joined is performing in front of the judges at the Halloween parade?
What's a parent to do when the school club your daughter has been a part of for years is preparing a float for the Halloween parade and club members are expected to be on the float?
These may seem like trivial problems, but to a teenage girl they aren't trivial. She worked hard at these activities and of course she wants to take part in the accolades. If we forbid her from taking part in these events, then we discourage the very activities that we have encouraged her to do in the first place.
What I really wish is that we would stop using the word Halloween and start calling the parade a Fall Parade. I wish we would stop glamorizing witches and vampires and all the satanic symbols that we relate to Halloween. I wish that these events wouldn't take place at the end of October as the satanic customs did (and still do in the occult world.)
Some people are thinking right now, Oh just relax. What's the big deal. It's all just harmless fun. But I can't relax about a Holiday that has satanic origins. To participate in these things is to accept them as being okay.
So I'm having a hard time with this. The link below is another example of the things I read that make me uneasy about Halloween.
http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com/2012/10/halloween-a-biblical-perspective/
What is a parent to do when the school band is in the Halloween parade and your daughter is in the school band?
What is a parent to do when the dance class your daughter just joined is performing in front of the judges at the Halloween parade?
What's a parent to do when the school club your daughter has been a part of for years is preparing a float for the Halloween parade and club members are expected to be on the float?
These may seem like trivial problems, but to a teenage girl they aren't trivial. She worked hard at these activities and of course she wants to take part in the accolades. If we forbid her from taking part in these events, then we discourage the very activities that we have encouraged her to do in the first place.
What I really wish is that we would stop using the word Halloween and start calling the parade a Fall Parade. I wish we would stop glamorizing witches and vampires and all the satanic symbols that we relate to Halloween. I wish that these events wouldn't take place at the end of October as the satanic customs did (and still do in the occult world.)
Some people are thinking right now, Oh just relax. What's the big deal. It's all just harmless fun. But I can't relax about a Holiday that has satanic origins. To participate in these things is to accept them as being okay.
So I'm having a hard time with this. The link below is another example of the things I read that make me uneasy about Halloween.
http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com/2012/10/halloween-a-biblical-perspective/
Sunday, October 21, 2012
WHY WE HAVE THE SECOND AMENDMENT (watch video)
Take our guns and stories like this will have tragically different endings.
http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/12-year-old-exercises-second-amendment-when-i-saw-the-door-handle-turn-i-shot-him_10212012
http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/12-year-old-exercises-second-amendment-when-i-saw-the-door-handle-turn-i-shot-him_10212012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
ONE LESS THING TO WORRY ABOUT
Have you ever come home from a gathering of family and friends and then spent the next day worrying about the things you said? Did I sound prideful? Did she take what I said the wrong way? Was I talking too much? Was I too passionate about the subject? Did I offend anyone?
To an extent, all of us worry about what other people think. We wonder how we are perceived. We wish we could get inside their heads and know what people truly think of us. It all comes down to needing the approval of others. We base our identity on the judgement of others. We think part of our identity is how people view us.
Worrying what people think is a subject that many people fret over, sometimes on a daily basis. Just Google the subject and you will have enough reading material for a month. On 43things.com, the world's largest goal setting community, 4,000 people said that they wish they could stop caring what other people think. And on Wiki How, you can learn the seven steps to not care what others think of you.
As a representative of Christ, I do care what others think of me. But I have to remind myself that not everyone is going to like what I have to say. Some people might think that I am prideful. Some might think I'm too harsh. They might disagree with me. They might even think that I've gone bonkers. And I could go bonkers if I allowed myself to worry about these things.
Even Jesus wanted men to admire Him and trust Him, but He didn't change who He was to win their approval. And neither should we. The best way to stop caring so much what others think is to start caring about what God thinks. Start caring about what others think of Christ. Analyze everything you say and do in light of His approval.
We worry so much about our reputations, but what can mere men do to us? Do we really need to fear what others think? Isn't all that fretting just wasted time? Are we seeking the favor of men or the favor of God? Eternity is a long time to think about the opportunities we had and the opportunities we stubbornly rejected.
The links below are some of many articles written on this subject. The last two links are written from a Christian world view and one includes a book on the subject.
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/02/07/why-do-we-care-what-others-think/
http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/why-you-shouldnt-care-what-others-think-about-you/
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/taste-see-articles/does-it-matter-what-others-think
http://www.ccef.org/blog/do-young-people-worry-about-what-others-think
Friday, October 19, 2012
YOU SAID A LITTLE PRAYER, BUT WHERE'S THE FRUIT?
The video above is a shocking message you won't hear in any nearby church. American Christianity is based more upon a godless culture than it is upon the word of God. This is exactly what my current speech, "Cultural Lies or Biblical Truth" is about.
We compare our lives to each others' instead of comparing our lives to scripture. Most of what we believe is dictated to us by our culture, not by the word of God. The Bible teaches that "you will know them by their fruit". In other words, you will know Christians by the change in their lives.
There's no such thing as a carnal Christian. If you are truly saved, you will walk in the way of righteousness. You'll talk differently, You'll dress differently. You will act differently.. Salvation will have made a noticeable difference in your life.
Watch the video above and then test yourself in light of scripture to see if you are truly in the faith. If you said the salvation prayer and are now living like the rest of the world, then there's a chance that you're really not saved at all.
We compare our lives to each others' instead of comparing our lives to scripture. Most of what we believe is dictated to us by our culture, not by the word of God. The Bible teaches that "you will know them by their fruit". In other words, you will know Christians by the change in their lives.
There's no such thing as a carnal Christian. If you are truly saved, you will walk in the way of righteousness. You'll talk differently, You'll dress differently. You will act differently.. Salvation will have made a noticeable difference in your life.
Watch the video above and then test yourself in light of scripture to see if you are truly in the faith. If you said the salvation prayer and are now living like the rest of the world, then there's a chance that you're really not saved at all.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
THE BULLIES WON
Haven't we all done something we regret? Haven't we all made a foolish choice or two, probably many foolish choices. Don't we all have skeletons in our closet? Haven't we all done things that we wouldn't want the world to know?
Especially when we are young, we do stupid things without thinking. Imagine being haunted for years over one stupid mistake. Imagine being put through Hell because of one bad decision. Imagine never being forgiven for your mistake but instead being tormented day after day. Never able to escape your tormentors.
This is what happened to a 15-year-old girl. She could easily be your daughter. Scroll down for more on this story.
Especially when we are young, we do stupid things without thinking. Imagine being haunted for years over one stupid mistake. Imagine being put through Hell because of one bad decision. Imagine never being forgiven for your mistake but instead being tormented day after day. Never able to escape your tormentors.
This is what happened to a 15-year-old girl. She could easily be your daughter. Scroll down for more on this story.
A SAD STORY, SCROLL DOWN TO VIDEO
FEATURED
ACTION · STARTED BY AMANDA SARACEN
Last
weekend, a 15-year-old girl named Amanda Todd committed suicide, five weeks
after the Canadian teen uploaded a video to YouTube describing years of cyber
bullying. Saddened and inspired by the this story, cause leader Amanda Saracen
created a petition demanding that Canadian authorities find and arrest those
responsible for Amanda Todd's death. Click here to see why almost
200,000 people have already signed.
 |
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The Great American RoadTrip Forum - Museum of Bad Art - Dedham Square, Massachusetts
I have a few early pieces of artwork that might qualify for placement in this museum. Looks like a fun place to visit and a fun website to explore.
The Great American RoadTrip Forum - Museum of Bad Art - Dedham Square, Massachusetts
The Great American RoadTrip Forum - Museum of Bad Art - Dedham Square, Massachusetts
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
IT'S ABOUT MONEY NOT ABOUT YOUR HEALTH
The vaccine industry is just another money-making, good-ol’-boy network
of “Crony Capitalism”. It isn’t about your health or the “preparedness”
of the nation for an outbreak. It’s about money. It’s about lining the
pockets of the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry at any
cost—including if that cost is your life or that of your child.
http://www.infowars.com/why-does-the-government-care-so-much-about-vaccinating-you/
http://www.infowars.com/why-does-the-government-care-so-much-about-vaccinating-you/
GOD TELLS US WE HAVE A SOUND MIND
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
- II Timothy 1:7
"On my blog talk radio show, we are discussing the problem with Christians and prescription drugs. I have posted many articles to show the magnitude of the problem with these drugs and the great dangers of taking them. Please tune in to my show: Looking For the Blessed Hope, Sundays at 9:00 PM EST. It is archived if you cannot make it live. This topic is so serious that it needs to be addressed and God’s people set free from the drugs and protected from ever taking them." - John McTernan
http://defendproclaimthefaith.org/blog/?p=2898
- II Timothy 1:7
"On my blog talk radio show, we are discussing the problem with Christians and prescription drugs. I have posted many articles to show the magnitude of the problem with these drugs and the great dangers of taking them. Please tune in to my show: Looking For the Blessed Hope, Sundays at 9:00 PM EST. It is archived if you cannot make it live. This topic is so serious that it needs to be addressed and God’s people set free from the drugs and protected from ever taking them." - John McTernan
http://defendproclaimthefaith.org/blog/?p=2898
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Genetically Engineered Foods versus Organic Foods
Over the past few years, an interesting pattern has emerged, where political supporters of genetically engineered (GE) foods are feasting on organics, while promoting unlabeled GE foods for everyone else.
Genetically Engineered Foods versus Organic Foods
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
All Hallow's Eve
Watch the videos at the bottom of this article and you might look at Halloween differently. I once thought it was a harmless holiday of fun for kids, but after learning all the details about the origin of Halloween, it kind of gives me the creeps. There's even a warning in the Bible that might make you think twice about participating in Halloween celebrations.
All Hallow's Eve
All Hallow's Eve
THE HEALING POWER OF THOUGHTS AND WORDS
Lately I've been coming across interesting articles about how our thoughts and words have the power to heal or make us sick. Our bodies actually become more acidic when we speak or think negatively. For example, cancer is proven to be more prevalent in those who have suppressed anger. Cancer thrives when your body is in an acid state. This came from the book Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About by Kevin Trudeau.
Lately I've been trying to keep my mind clear of stressful situations and negative thoughts. I've been trying to speak more positively about others and about my life. When I continue to be led to articles on the same subject I always consider that it could be God who's leading me to those articles. Perhaps he thinks I need to change my thinking and be more careful with my words.
We can control what we dwell on in our minds and we can control what we say. And there's a great payoff for those who learn to speak and think positively. The payoff is peace and healing. Who doesn't want that? - Danelle
"Think for a moment how your words could be affecting your life right now.
How do you talk about yourself, your present circumstances, and your future? When you talk with your friends, what kinds of things are you talking about?
I encourage you to form a habit of speaking positive words of faith every day. Words like, "I love my life and I have a great future. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And something good is going to happen to me today."
Even when you're struggling to believe it, say it anyway. Our words have the power to change our mind and our attitude and shape our future." -Joyce Meyer
Lately I've been trying to keep my mind clear of stressful situations and negative thoughts. I've been trying to speak more positively about others and about my life. When I continue to be led to articles on the same subject I always consider that it could be God who's leading me to those articles. Perhaps he thinks I need to change my thinking and be more careful with my words.
We can control what we dwell on in our minds and we can control what we say. And there's a great payoff for those who learn to speak and think positively. The payoff is peace and healing. Who doesn't want that? - Danelle
"Think for a moment how your words could be affecting your life right now.
How do you talk about yourself, your present circumstances, and your future? When you talk with your friends, what kinds of things are you talking about?
I encourage you to form a habit of speaking positive words of faith every day. Words like, "I love my life and I have a great future. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And something good is going to happen to me today."
Even when you're struggling to believe it, say it anyway. Our words have the power to change our mind and our attitude and shape our future." -Joyce Meyer
FORCED FLU SHOTS
"The flu vaccine has been proven time and time again not to work. It
contains not only live viruses but also, according to the CDC, these
potential toxins: ”The following substances are found in vaccines:
aluminum,(brain toxin) antibiotics, egg protein, formaldehyde (now
listed as carcinogenic), MSG or monosodium glutamate (a known
neurotoxin),and thimerosal(neurotoxic mercury).”
Links have been made from the flu shot to paralysis, increased likelihood of Alzheimers, weakened immune system, Dystonia (uncontrollable muscle spasms), and seizures."
http://www.thedailysheeple.com/forced-flu-shots-gaining-momentum-across-the-country_102012
Links have been made from the flu shot to paralysis, increased likelihood of Alzheimers, weakened immune system, Dystonia (uncontrollable muscle spasms), and seizures."
http://www.thedailysheeple.com/forced-flu-shots-gaining-momentum-across-the-country_102012
WARDROBE REGRETS
Several weeks ago, my family made a trip to the Colonial Park Mall for the 50% off sale at the Bon Ton (Love that store). As my husband and I sat on a bench waiting for our daughter, we noticed something different about the girls that walked by. Many of them were wearing extremely short skirts and high heels. The heels were so high that the girls had trouble walking in them and the skirts were so short that I would call them "crotch level" skirts. I wouldn't want to witness any of those girls having to bend over and pick up something they dropped. It couldn't have been done without a flash of underwear.
A week later my husband and I went to church and we noticed something different there too. Did someone declare September as being short skirt month? I had never seen so many girls in short skirts at church. Girls are becoming more daring with what they wear. We concluded that after our trip to the mall. But I didn't expect to see it in church. Do I really want to bring my husband to a leg parade when I go to church? Isn't church the one place where we shouldn't have to see such things? Even my husband was offended by it and he's a guy.
I was once a short skirt girl, so I understand what these girls are trying to do. They're trying to draw attention to themselves. I wore a short skirt to the beach years ago when I was vacationing with my mom and sister. We had our photo taken on the boardwalk and that photo is now my Facebook photo. But I did some cropping before I posted it. Little did I know that when my account changed to the timeline layout the photo appeared uncropped. I just recently figured out how to delete it.
Some people might say, Well if you wore short skirts, then what right do you have to speak against it. Actually, I think that I have more of a right because I experienced the downfalls of making bad wardrobe choices. Short skirts did nothing for me but attract men of lesser character. They also stripped me of my dignity by making me an object to look at. I didn't make friends easily when I wore short skirts, especially when I went to places where women might bring their husbands and boyfriends. Those women knew I was trying to be the center of attention and they decided right then and there that they didn't like me.
Modesty promotes friendship with other women, but it also makes a girl look respectable, like the kind of girl that a good decent man would be attracted to. Surprisingly, good guys really don't want to see girls with cleavage out and legs on display. Consider this comment from a good guy: "You have no idea how sweet and challenging it is when I see a woman who has decided not to flaunt her body like the culture shouts for her to do."
When I think back to my younger days when I dressed without modesty, I regret my decisions. I believe that my choice of clothing brought negative consequences. Men saw me as someone to abuse rather than as someone to respect. My wardrobe was an open invitation for them to see me not as a person, but as an object. I suffered because of the way I presented myself. And I believe every girl who dresses to attract attention will live to regret her decisions.
Christian women should be especially sensitive to their wardrobe choices. What we wear sends a clear message and the message is either "Look at me, praise me or look at my savior and praise Him."
Women should dress with modesty first out of respect for God who teaches in Proverbs that "A beautiful woman lacking discretion and modesty is like a fine gold ring in a pig's snout." Secondly they should dress modestly out of respect for themselves, which is something I lacked in my twenties. And a third reason, which they often don't consider, is they should dress modestly out of respect for other women.
Women don't need their husbands and boyfriends to be constantly subjected to a display of cleavage, midriff and legs. If a man chooses to go to a strip show that's one thing, but he shouldn't have to see one when he comes to church or when he takes his daughter to the mall. He shouldn't have to see one when girls come to visit the family at his home. Women and girls need to get back to guidelines for how they dress. And I know exactly how they can do it. When they stand in front of the mirror before they walk out the door they can ask themselves this one question. Who am I wearing this for and why?
http://www.girlsgonewise.com/what-not-to-wear/
A week later my husband and I went to church and we noticed something different there too. Did someone declare September as being short skirt month? I had never seen so many girls in short skirts at church. Girls are becoming more daring with what they wear. We concluded that after our trip to the mall. But I didn't expect to see it in church. Do I really want to bring my husband to a leg parade when I go to church? Isn't church the one place where we shouldn't have to see such things? Even my husband was offended by it and he's a guy.
I was once a short skirt girl, so I understand what these girls are trying to do. They're trying to draw attention to themselves. I wore a short skirt to the beach years ago when I was vacationing with my mom and sister. We had our photo taken on the boardwalk and that photo is now my Facebook photo. But I did some cropping before I posted it. Little did I know that when my account changed to the timeline layout the photo appeared uncropped. I just recently figured out how to delete it.
Some people might say, Well if you wore short skirts, then what right do you have to speak against it. Actually, I think that I have more of a right because I experienced the downfalls of making bad wardrobe choices. Short skirts did nothing for me but attract men of lesser character. They also stripped me of my dignity by making me an object to look at. I didn't make friends easily when I wore short skirts, especially when I went to places where women might bring their husbands and boyfriends. Those women knew I was trying to be the center of attention and they decided right then and there that they didn't like me.
Modesty promotes friendship with other women, but it also makes a girl look respectable, like the kind of girl that a good decent man would be attracted to. Surprisingly, good guys really don't want to see girls with cleavage out and legs on display. Consider this comment from a good guy: "You have no idea how sweet and challenging it is when I see a woman who has decided not to flaunt her body like the culture shouts for her to do."
When I think back to my younger days when I dressed without modesty, I regret my decisions. I believe that my choice of clothing brought negative consequences. Men saw me as someone to abuse rather than as someone to respect. My wardrobe was an open invitation for them to see me not as a person, but as an object. I suffered because of the way I presented myself. And I believe every girl who dresses to attract attention will live to regret her decisions.
Christian women should be especially sensitive to their wardrobe choices. What we wear sends a clear message and the message is either "Look at me, praise me or look at my savior and praise Him."
Women should dress with modesty first out of respect for God who teaches in Proverbs that "A beautiful woman lacking discretion and modesty is like a fine gold ring in a pig's snout." Secondly they should dress modestly out of respect for themselves, which is something I lacked in my twenties. And a third reason, which they often don't consider, is they should dress modestly out of respect for other women.
Women don't need their husbands and boyfriends to be constantly subjected to a display of cleavage, midriff and legs. If a man chooses to go to a strip show that's one thing, but he shouldn't have to see one when he comes to church or when he takes his daughter to the mall. He shouldn't have to see one when girls come to visit the family at his home. Women and girls need to get back to guidelines for how they dress. And I know exactly how they can do it. When they stand in front of the mirror before they walk out the door they can ask themselves this one question. Who am I wearing this for and why?
http://www.girlsgonewise.com/what-not-to-wear/
Thursday, October 11, 2012
UNSUSTAINABLE
"We are ruining the future of this nation in order to make the present more pleasant for ourselves."
http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/unsustainable
Pre-Rapture Commentary: A Sign For The Rapture?
Pre-Rapture Commentary: A Sign For The Rapture?: Most people have an idea of the coming Biblical judgment on earth, although their
CHURCH LEADERS PROTEST AID TO ISREAL
.... that you not be quickly shaken... or be disturbed.... to the effect
that the Day of the Lord (Jesus return) has come.
.... for it will not come ( The Day of the Lord) unless the apostasy comes
first ( church falling from true doctrine and being in dissension ), [ 2 Thess
2: 2-3 ]
Israel is not cast away [ Romans 11: ]
Why haven't these Christian denominations protested the hundreds of millions of dollars our current administration is planing to send
to Egypt to support the new Muslim Brotherhood run government, which is verbally
and visibly violating Jews and Christians human rights on TV for the whole world
to see.. Just curious ?
So when has a nation when protecting itself from incoming attacks, become
human rights violators....Jut curious ?
{ Last days scripture }
......All surrounding nations will unite against Israel [ Psalm 83:
]
......Jerusalem will become a cup of trembling; and a burdensome stone to
all nations [ Zech 12:3 ]
...... Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that
love thee. [ Psalm 122: 6 ]
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
SO GOOD!
It's that time of year again, when I feel an urge to dip tangy, juicy McIntosh apples into gooey caramel. Here's the recipe I'm trying this year. I can add my homemade vanilla to this one. I never saw vanilla in a caramel apple recipe, but it makes total sense.
http://simpleplate.net/super-simple-caramel-apples/
http://simpleplate.net/super-simple-caramel-apples/
DOGS LOVE SUNSHINE
Our dog Jazz stands at the front door and whines when he wants to lay in the sun that streams through the glass storm door. He whines until someone opens the main door. Then he plops himself quickly on the entrance rug to let us know he doesn't want to go out. He just wants to soak up some rays. Looks like all dogs have this habit.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/36oZQK/:q3U8f@7c:aIz_bwZp/ellen.warnerbros.com/images/blog/0311/10-found-the-sun-b.jpg/
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/36oZQK/:q3U8f@7c:aIz_bwZp/ellen.warnerbros.com/images/blog/0311/10-found-the-sun-b.jpg/
WHAT TO DO WITH A BIG FAT ONION
This is what's for dinner tonight. I have a big fat onion sitting on my kitchen counter since Friday (Auction Day) and a box of unopened Panko crumbs has been hanging out in my pantry for months. Tonight the two will unite and I hope it's a match made in Heaven because I LOVE Onion Rings. The last time I made onion rings they were dipped in a beer batter and the process took all day. I had to soak the onion rings in milk for two hours and then make the batter and let that sit for two hours. After all that work and the mess of a deep fryer, I was disappointed with the results. I vowed never to make onion rings again.
But I never tried baking them. And I never used Panko crumbs before. Here's the recipe I decided on. Maybe I'll mix up some horseradish ketchup for dipping. Yum.
http://www.lanascooking.com/2011/03/22/baked-panko-onion-rings/
But I never tried baking them. And I never used Panko crumbs before. Here's the recipe I decided on. Maybe I'll mix up some horseradish ketchup for dipping. Yum.
http://www.lanascooking.com/2011/03/22/baked-panko-onion-rings/
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