Theme Song Thursday - Final 2015

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God Showing Off

     Because He is always with me and always at work, for me it isn't really an issue of God showing up or not.  He always shows up for me (He is in me and promises to never leave nor forsake me).  The challenge is to have eyes to see Him at work and ears to hear what He is saying as He is working.  And so I cry "show off, God, for Your Name and Renown that everyone will see Your glory and will know Your lovingkindness."  Graham Cooke suggests asking a question that is something like: "who are you for me right now, God?"  I understand that to mean "what part of who You are is it that You are putting on display and revealing to me right now in this situation?" 

Merry Christmas Eve Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday -- The Sovereign LORD Reigns!

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The Super Lord Reigns

Isa. 50:4-5a

"The Sovereign LORD has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will. The Sovereign LORD has spoken to me, and I have listened."

Grabbed by these verses today, I began to imagine and to ponder. . .then did some hurried research about the word "Sovereign," after noticing the word "reign" inside the larger word.  Have I seen that before?  I do not remember, but it captivated me.

Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday

Not sure why, but this is one of my favorite Christmas carols, and I LOVE Johnny Cash singing it.  (Sorry Mom)

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Challenge Completed

Whew!  I almost forgot to finish my final writing assignment; I had a draft started, but did not make a note to go back and complete it.

With the busyness of Thanksgiving and holiday preparation, I'm not shocked that I forgot, but I am surprised.

Happy Thanksgiving Theme Song Thursday

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Thanksgiving Theme Song Thursday

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2015!!!

Disclaimer:  By posting this video I am endorsing the hymn, only.  I am not informed about the source, and therefore cannot endorse the source.

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Theme Song Thursday

Kinda taking a risk here, as I cannot read the Chinese (I think it's Chinese), but love this song.


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Tummy Pleasing Tuesday Tip

Alongside of my current cranberry craving is a muffin hankering.  Often these two marry into delicious bliss.

Freestyling Trim Healthy Mama produces satisfaction, energy and health, but sometimes produces challenge, like finding a toothsome E muffin.

As of the time of this writing my two favorite E muffins are:

Chocolate Banana Muffins (p. 283 in the THM Cookbook; I make 1/3 or a recipe)

Strawberry Muffins (p. 281), which I tweak by adding more fruit like blueberries, cranberries, peaches, apples, etc.  Because this recipe is a FP, I know that adding non-FP fruit, I can safely stay in E mode.  And I love the texture and flavor of this muffin.

What tweaks are you making in your THM journey?


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Neglected

It feels great to be writing consistently lately.

Of course, you wouldn't know about that here, because I have taken a writing challenge outside of this realm.  I believe it will help me to post more consistently here, just not during November.

That being said, I will encourage you to check out a fabulous THM friendly recipe, which I made this afternoon, and which you can find at alldayidreamaboutfood.com .

Here's what mine looked like; I made a 1/2 recipe and baked it in an 8" round cake pan for 25 minutes:

Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake; recipe from All Day I Dream About Food.

On the topic of THM, I am gearing up for my next Fuel Cycle, which will start immediately after Thanksgiving Day.  My first one was incredibly hard initially, and incredibly beneficial finally.  Otherwise I would not be planning another one! Planning ahead to have the right items on hand will be a key.

What new THM recipes have you tried lately?

What feedback or questions do you have about a THM Fuel Cycle?


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Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday

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Invisible Savings

Breaking one of my unwritten rules here, I am posting this article on both blogs.

For the sake of context, though, I will tell you here that I have been shopping for a bookend or bookends for weeks now; I have a collection of writing-related books stacked on my desk, which I want organized bookshelf-style instead.  The price of $10 or more prevents me from buying a set of bookends, because I'd rather spend that $10 on food or clothes.

This morning I spent approximately 30 seconds from the time I Google searched "diy bookends" until I found the following brilliant idea at Lifehacker.com:

It works incredibly well, and I am at least $9.00 richer because of this hack.

What hacks are you employing lately?



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Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday

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Bread for Today

In the natural, I made a loaf of THM Sprouted Wheat Bread, something I have not taken the time to do for months.  The process was simple, yet fulfilling; the resulting loaf was delicious and nourishing -- truly a BLISS, which I need to pursue more regularly.

Supernatural bread for today started as a musing about how to love the broken in our world.  Jesus' wise instruction to love others as I love myself reminded me that self love is the beginning of pouring the Father's heart upon others. Every one of us is broken and traumatized to some degree and in need of a Physician.  Tenaciously pursuing wholeness and healing for myself truly must be a priority; our family's beloved first pediatrician continually exhorted me to take care of me/Mom, so that I could take care of our kiddos.  The flight attendants remind us to put our own oxygen mask on before we try to help someone else. Yes, current culture understands this concept.

Why is it so difficult for Christ followers?  One reason, I believe, is the stigma, the SHAME, that religious culture affixes to people "who don't have it altogether."  The enemy loves this lie and works with religious culture to perpetrate it far and wide.  The TRUTH is that we all are in need of the Physician -- that's why He came to save the WORLD.  Shine the light on SHAME, dare greatly and run after personal wholeness and healing.  You will be amazed at the good that will result.

When I mentioned "religious culture," I was not meaning the church, the Body of Christ.  Nope.  I was speaking of a mindset that is empowered supernaturally.  At itmes this culture/mindset does show up in our local churches, though. Sadly church people will sometimes treat other church people worse than a stray dog, despite the model we see in how Jesus loved His disciples and those who followed Him. (You might want to read up on how He dealt with the religious culture of His day chronicled in the stories of most of His interactions with the Scribes and Pharisees, too.) Christ also said to love each other as He loved us.  Unfortunately, the church is known as being the only army that shoots its own wounded.  This should not be!  Come alongside those in the Body of Christ who are pursuing wholeness and healing.  They are part of the group of people that you and I are meant to love as we love ourselves.

The other part of that group are those who are not part of His Body.  Guess what?  The same instructions apply in regard to them.  Love them as you love yourself.  Because it's the kindness of God that leads people to Him, we are to be the conduits of His Kindness.  Be famous for love, as Sherri Silk says.  See people the way He sees them -- created in His image and likeness.  Honor, respect and love everyone around you, brokenness and all.


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Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday

Great are You, Lord!

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Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday

A repeat post, yet my theme song for the week!  Enjoy.


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Theme Song Thursday

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Trim Healthy Update

Over two years ago, my journey with Trim Healthy Living began.  Aligning with this new way of eating has produced the desired effects; check this book out from a library and give it a thorough read through to see if it lands with you.  There are also numerous web sites and articles on-line, though discernment is needed as always when researching on the net.  Pearl and Serene's web site is a trustworthy resource!  THM truly is a lifestyle and not a diet.

If you visit www.trimhealthymama.com, you will see all of their books, two of which are new. Today is the promised delivery date of my copy of their new cookbook.  New recipes feed me spiritually and physically!

Overall, I have been characterized by staying "on plan."  In the past 6 months or so, I have given myself permission far too often to go off plan, however.  A dear friend has spoken grace to me many times (in my memory of her saying this) with "in 3 hours you get to start all over again on plan!" Great self-talk to prevent the "might as well eat ______, since I have already blown it!"

In order to re-synch with the plan, this week is a Fuel Cycle week for me.  A Fuel Cycle is supposed to be a two week event.  Do you already hear my disdain for this idea?  I have been incredibly hungry so far and find the choices limited -- unbelievably, I am kinda tired of sweet snacks and meal ideas. Yep, research is being done as I have time.  And that new cookbook cannot arrive soon enough!!!

Hunger is not usually a problem for me in the THM lifestyle.  This indicates to me that I have not fully understood the Fuel Cycle and am not well prepared with correct food choices for each different type of meal.  (If THM is new to you, DO NOT bog down in this Fuel Cycle rant; I have only recently noticed a change in my metabolism [read that as menopause], which has propelled me to recognize the need to adjust once again.)

On the up side, I know that my body is responding to the fat-flushing power of the Fuel Cycle!  Plus I can hardly wait to go back to "freestyling" on plan, because those favorite foods are magically delicious!

If  you have Fuel Cycle ideas and tips, I'd love to hear from you!

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Theme Song Thursday

Found it!

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Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday

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Miscellany

WARNING:  I cannot remember, nor verify if I blogged about the following gems, "freebies," or not. The new layout of my blog has me flummoxed; do you feel the same way?
 
Officially The Ark Christian Academy opened for classes on Monday, August 17.  Happily The Ark Christian Academy logged in two days of field trips mid-week last week.  Never having started school in this relaxed manner before, I find it exactly what I need this year, especially given that I have been sick for a week now.  Thanks be to God, I am steadily improving!

Freebie #1:

If your dentist offers you Nitrous Oxide before your dental procedure, gladly accept.  You will thank me later!  (Now you can write me and tell me all of the reasons this is a bad health decision -- I am that certain that it won't change my mind:)

Freebie #2:

Are you a Google Calendar and an Outlook Calendar user?  (Yes, I do keep two different calendars on two different platforms; it works for me.  I have tired various approaches over these many years. Feel free to make other suggestions!)  If so, you might want to try initially scheduling your appointments and events on the Google Calendar, and then invite yourself via an email address that you open with Outlook's inbox.  You can then simply accept the invitation with the drop down choices that show up in the email; I choose "accept and do not send a reply," since I am the one who invited myself.

Freebie #3:

Bullet Journaling is worth a "look-see" if you are some who writes things down even though you use other digital means to organize other parts of your life.  There are many, many fabulous videos and blogs out there with lots of amazing ideas about how to use a Bullet Journal.  Find the originator's video here:  http://bulletjournal.com/.  I pretty much follow his basic plan, though I love the creativity and beauty of other bullet journals I have seen.  When I find that I have time to make mine more beautiful, I'm sure I will.  For now my simple analog journal is keeping me on track in this digital age!

As a matter of updating on some topics I know I have blogged about before, I am still living the Trim Healthy Mama way, though I don't always stay on plan.  I hope to do better now that we have more of a routine.  Ultimately I know that it is what's inside of me that will determine how diligently I follow the plan.

Also, I have not written much about our summer adventures as of yet -- finding it difficult to put into words.   I can say, however, that something I blogged about earlier is something I seem to be putting into practice more and more.
(http://abdemoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/fingerprints-and-next-dot.html)
Saying "yes" to God, even when every part of my soul and body are saying "no" is a faith builder. And faith is most definitely spelled "risk."  More on this in a soon-coming post.

Gotta dash out to the bank and to buy some beloved local farm-raised EGGS!

What'supwi'you?

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Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday

Had a lovely coffee date with a dear friend yesterday, and we spoke of running like this.  This is a re-posted song, but still a great favorite and timely.


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Theme Song Thursday

My apology that there is no audio or video for this; I could not find one.

Love this song and will post as soon as it appears on the ww.



I feel it in my bones You're about to move
I feel it in the wind You're about to ride in
You said that You would pour Your spirit out
You said that You would fall on sons and daughters

So like the rain come drench us in love
Let Your glory rush in like a flood

We are fixed on this one thing
You know Your goodness and see Your glory
We're transformed by this one thing
To know Your presence and see Your beauty

I can see it now Your kingdom come
I can hear it now the sounds of heaven
You said that if we ask we'll receive
We are asking for the greater measure

So like the rain come drench us in love
Let Your power rush in like a flood

We are fixed on this one thing
You know Your goodness and see Your glory
We're transformed by this one thing
To know Your presence and see Your beauty

So come and blow on through
Spirit move we're ready for You
To come and blow on through
Come and do what only You can do


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Theme Song Thursday

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Revive

June and July have been fabulously full of fun, learning opportunities.

After our adventure with Revive Northwest Indiana, my intention was to summarize that "summer school course."

You regular readers know that I have not chronicled our time in Lake County.  As I dreaded might happen, the passing time since then has gathered many of my memories and stolen them away.

I absolutely LOVED going out into the community to pray with people.  I absolutely LOVED listening to Holy Spirit's leading as to where to go and who to talk with.  I absolutely LOVED being part of a team of people whom I had never met before and who, by the end of our morning or afternoon outing were like family to me.  I absolutely LOVED the worship, the fellowship over meals, the prayer, the testimonies and the genuineness of Time to Revive's team.

So what lasting impact did it make upon me?  I feel like I am much more bold to talk to people than ever before.  I love the fact that I can now easily present the Gospel to someone using the tools (wristband and Bible), if that's where the person is on their journey to God. I was blessed and encouraged to see and to hear Holy Spirit respected, consulted, listened to and taught upon. Practicing hearing God's voice and then walking in faith according to what was heard is always a bonus as well.  

Love. Listen. Discern. Respond.  Four great steps for all of our interpersonal relationships!


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Theme Song Thursday

While I have posted this one before, at least once, I need to marinate in this still:

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Theme Song Thursday

A repeat, but deliciously worshipful nonetheless.

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Driving a Stake in the Ground

Edited 06.27.15

I am saddened, but not surprised at the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of same sex "marriage."

Rudderless, the majority justices continue to sail the USA toward rocky shores.

Perhaps I am painting a target on myself, but I feel compelled to post a statement of my faith and beliefs here today.

I do not hate anyone.  Because I follow Jesus Christ, because He loves and forgives me, and because His love compels me, I love everyone, though I do so imperfectly as an imperfect human being.

"Love your neighbor.  Do good to those who do evil against you.  Overcome evil with good."

Those some are my foundational motivations and guiding commands.

Below is a more formal belief statement, the wording of which I borrowed and tweaked from an Alliance Defense Fund pdf.

"I believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, evidenced biologically at birth. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.)  ‘Being man’ or ‘being woman’ is a reality which is good and willed by God: man and woman possess an inalienable dignity, which comes to them immediately from God their Creator. Man and woman are both with one and the same dignity ‘in the image of God.’

"I believe that the term 'marriage' has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25.) I believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.) I believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

"I believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.)

"I believe that God freely offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11.)

"I believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture or with how Jesus treated people while He walked the earth."

I understand that our government has approved and legalized relationships and actions that are in opposition to my beliefs.

I do not believe that those who have made these decisions hate me.

I am not your judge.  (Matt. 7:1, John 5: 26-27, John 12: 47-48.)

These beliefs guide my relationship with God and with man.  A desire of my heart is to grow in loving relationship with God and with all of humanity every day.

If you disagree with my beliefs, I respect you and love you anyway.  I think all of you are amazing creations of Father God who carry unique and needed gifts into our world.

Can we focus on the things we agree upon and work together to build a promising and bountiful future for us and for the generations to come?

Have mercy on us, oh God!

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Swing Flags #2

See http://abdemoss.blogspot.com/2015/06/swing-flags-diy.html for more details!

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Theme Song Thursday Twofer

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E.T., Phone Home

Yup, I'm showing my age with that title.

It's symbolic of a request for like-minded, like-hearted people to check-in and contact me.

Does your heart burn with passion for God? and/or

Are you pursuing revivel?  and/or

Are you longing to go deeper with Holy Spirit? and/or

Are you a stay-at-home-mom, SAHM?  and/or

Are  you a home school parent?


If any of that is you, give me a shout out via a comment here on the blog or email me.  I'd love to begin a conversation with you about our shared values, beliefs and experiences.  What is on your heart these days?

No pressure or obligation.  Just curious about who reads this blog and what God is up to in your life.


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Theme Song Thursday

  While this is a repeat, it is the theme song on my heart at this moment!

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A Trim Healthy S Cookie that I LOVE!!!

Sheri Graham share oodles of exceptional information on her site, including this Trim Healthy Mama S recipe for Chocolate No Bake Cookies. From my childhood, cookies like this have been a craved fave.  This delish recipe is low carb and sugar free, which matches my adult self's needs -- the best of both worlds!!!

My tweaks to her amazing recipe are:

• use 1/2 butter and 1/2 coconut oil for the amount of fat listed in recipe, 
• use 1/2 coconut and 1/2 oats for the amount of oats listed in the recipe, 
• and add more sweetener to my taste, sending me back to my younger days of making batch upon batch of these yummy cookies!   

What's one of your favorite cookies recipes?

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Swing Flags DIY

Spotted some swing flags at the Women on the Frontlines Conference in Chicago earlier this year and knew that I MUST have a pair. . . which means making them myself.

After researching quite a bit, I found a site that had instructions for making a pair of these fab flags. These are not exactly like what I saw at the conference, but are close enough.

http://dyed4you.com/blog/2011/03/how-to-make-swing-flags/

The instructions at this site were extremely helpful and a fantastic guide for my sewing adventure.  If you have sewn before, you should have no problem tackling this project.  It took me approximately 2 hours from setting up to tearing down.  This web site is jam packed with helpful information, flags and fabric for purchase AND even videos for how to use the flags.  I highly reccommend it!

I chose a green SilkEssence fabric from my local JoAnn's Fabric store.  I love the color and the way it floats! Because I was not going to have someone shoot a photo of me with the flags in action, you will have to imagine that part!

If you have never sewn before or are a beginner, I want to offer you a few tips to go along with her instructions.

1) With regard to "Step 1":  do cut the fabric to the size she suggests (36 x 49"); I left my length at 54" because that's how much was there when I cut the 3 yds. in half.  It does work, but in hindsight I would prefer a bit shorter flag. (Because you will cut the weighted cord to the size of the flag, adjusting this after the fact is more work than it's worth for me.)

2) With regard to "Step 2":  yes, do the ironing as she tells you to do; you will be incredibly thankful. Silk and polyester fabrics should be ironed on a cool or fabric specific setting, which varies from iron to iron.

3) With regard to "Step 4":  Make sure to wait to cut your weighted string to the size you need, rather than whack it in half before you start the project, and then cut it again for each flag.  (I had enough pieces left over to use in another swing flag, which I hope to make soon; I would have preferred to have it all in one piece, though.)  Also, for the next set I make, I will try to make the flags mirror images of each other in regard to the weighting placement; this will not bother most people, but I want each hand to hold the "right side" of the fabric when I am waving these flags.  It's one of my many "Monk"-like things.

4) With regard to "Step 5": When you fold the fabric to make the pockets for the weighted string, keep in mind that the presser foot of your machine will need to fit alongside of the weighted string with enough fabric coming out on the side opposite to the string to actually sew a seam.  Measure the width of your presser foot, add to that at least 1/4" and then be sure to turn down at least that much more than the width of the weighted string.  The selvage side of the fabric is easiest to deal with because you are only making one fold.  The cut sides of the fabric require two folds, which is a bit trickier, but not overly hard.
   Also I pinned the weighted string into place and the fabric for the pocket, both separately.  I am usually not a fan of lots of pinning, but found this to be optimal for me.  The weighted string won't stay in place otherwise, and the slippery fabric needed pinning, too.  As I sewed the pocket, I removed the pins that were holding the fabric, but only adjusted the ones holding the string.
  As for the zigzagging over the weighted string part, I set my zigzag to it's highest width, 11.   I re-positioned the string into the center of the pocket, which meant removing the pins a few at a time as I was sewing toward them.  Then I sewed slowly over the string, carefully guiding and adjusting the string to keep it feeding into the center of my presser foot.  It is a bit tricky to do, but it did work.  I didn't even break a needle, amazingly.

Can't wait to buy some more fabric and make another set!


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Theme Song Thursday

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A Social Media Lie

There’s a thought “out there” that people present only their “best side” to the world through social media and that this affects people negatively.  It’s been awhile since I first heard this thought, and I’ve been pondering it off and on since then.  Does it affect me negatively?  I say not.

It is true that my not spending much time on social media potentially lessens its negative impact upon me , which means I probably don’t recognize it immediately.  Yet, as much as hearing good news from someone else about something in their lives can cause jealousy to arise or can trigger a “poverty mindset,” social media only impacts me negatively if I choose to go down the path of negativity.

You got me — I am saying that social media does not control me or anyone else.  The reality is that each one of us has the responsibility and authority to control our own self.  A person can give that control over to someone or something else, but it resides with each person.

Social media is an opportunity to rejoice with others and to believe for the good things that are ahead for each one of us; it’s a momentum thing.  Ride that wave of the amazing things He is doing on the earth with expectancy. He is always up to wonderful things!  (How I love seeing Kingdom truth show up in the world without any religious clothing on it!)

Self control may be an unfashionable character quality these days, but it is a truth that cannot be ignored or denied.  How much better a world this would be if each person pursued excellence in self control!

{I had promised myself that I would not duplicate posts at both of my blogs, but. . . this one seems to fit the landscape of both.  My apologies to anyone who is reading both.}

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Theme Song not Thursday

   Let's just say that our undependable internet service and my ever-changing responsibilities prevented me from posting on Thursday, ok?  No matter - enjoy!

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Tip to Trim Healthy Mamas

  After a year of eating the THM E pancakes (p. 223), I admit that they have started to taste better than at first.  I am thankful that such can actually occur, because for this pancake LOVER, they were disappointing the first time I ate them. . . and the second, and the third, and for quite some time after that.

   A couple of weeks ago I decided to substitute some oat fiber for a tiny part of the oats to try to "dry" them out a bit. One of the things I like least about these jewels are they moistness, (and yes, I have always plopped them from the griddle onto a paper towel).  For my tastes the oat fiber additon greatly improves these pancakes.  They still are not whole wheat flour pancakes, but they are a delectable healthy substitute. One other addition I recommend is some cinnamon, though that is optional.

   What tweeks do you recommend for the THM E pancakes?

   What other pancake recipe do you enjoy?


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God Does Whatever He Chooses

Acts 10:44-48 NASB

"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 'Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?'  And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days."

   I LOVE this; according to this passage, Peter did not do an "altar call" or have them repeat the "sinner's prayer." It does not say that these folks confessed their sins or repented before Holy Spirit filled them. Holy Spirit showed up, Peter recognized that these Gentiles had been given the gift of Holy Spirit, which is the evidence of belief in and acceptance of Jesus as Savior & Lord, and then had them baptized in water.

  

  Following Jesus is not a formula or a road or a step-by-step process; it's a relationship from the very beginning. He meets us right where we are.

  

  Now that is wonderfully like our loving, good Father.

  What opportunities do I miss of sharing the Good News because I have a list in my head of what has to happen first? Open my eyes to see You moving so that I can follow You and do my part, Holy Spirit.

  Who are the "Gentiles" of in my sphere of influence that you are sending me to love with Your love? Open my eyes to see them, LORD.

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Theme Song Thursday

This is my prayer this week!



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And From the Archives

Can you guess what this is?

 Ever have one of those days where more than what is possible lands in that day?

 Whilst prepping supper for the masses tonight (it's date night, and I won't be here), I landed in the "way back machine" remembering the days when I scheduled daily time in the kitchen early in the morning for supper prep so that I could be freed up enough to nurse the baby and still have supper ready "on time."  There's a minefield of reasons why this was kinda a problem, but the benefit was that I did manage a fairly consistent supper time every day. That one goal was accomplished.  I am celebrating the personal growth and change that has happened since those days.  And I look forward to more in the days ahead.

  Why am I still the one making supper every night, you may ask?  Changing old eating habits to healthier ones requires certain food prep practices that I am still working on myself.  I do have help many nights with parts of the meals plus much of the prep is fairly easy because protein and slow carbs are the featured components.  Along with those things, I also very much enjoy cooking, usually, so it's another life-giving part of my day.

  What personal growth and/or change can you celebrate today?  I'd love to hear from you.

  BTW, it's a low carb egg casserole, THM S friendly and DELICIOUS!

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Did You Notice?

 This is ONLY for my regular readers and followers. . .ok, the rest of you can read this, also.  I was only teasing.  Who am I to discourage anyone from reading my little ol' blog?

  I chose a different blog template recently; did you notice?  I'd love your thoughts and feedback in regard to it.  I feel like I need change often, so my blog reflects that at times.


And today's random:

  I was grocery shopping this morning, using my re-usable shopping bag horde. The cashier who was waiting on me does NOT like the re-usable shopping bags.  I have been in her "line" before, and each time she comments offhandedly about how she does not like those bags.  Honestly I try to avoid her line because I know it pains her to wait on someone like me.  As far as that goes, I'd rather we both be enjoying the shopping experience as much as possible.  As I could not avoid being in her line (read that as not enough lines open), there I was.  She grudgingly greeted me, and I cheerily replied.  She began listlessly loading my frozen and cold items in one of my freezer bags; "great!" I silently cheered.  After she filled one of my "least of these" bags, I re-positioned my bag o' bags (whilst she was busy and NOT looking) with the other freezer bag on top and my best bags next; in her defense, the "least of these" was the next one in the pile.  I said nothing except cheerful thank-you's as we both endured the process -- me with a smile and her with lips in a grim line.  Then I heard her sadly mutter, "I don't pack these kinds of bags very well." My heart stirred with compassion for her -- silently I released blessings and peace over her.  And I am thankful that I was privileged to be in her line this morning.  She needed me and what I carry of the #Kingdom.  I needed her to stir my compassion and to give away what Jesus gave me.

  Someone once told me that I pick up on lots that is going on in a given situation, which seems to be true.  What I have realized is that I often misinterpret after the observation.  This morning I was reminded that even Paul did not always hear and discern correctly, (it's right there in The Book).  I need Holy Spirit and His gifts soooooo much!  Still a work in progress here:).

So, what do ya think about the new template?

What's your random from today?


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Theme Song Thursday

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Closure, Commencement and a Freebie

  Students are finishing their school subjects and turning in books, notebooks, papers and textbooks.

  I taxi persons to the local community college for a registration advising appointment and to the BMV for an ID card.

  Another birthday and another graduation ahead.

  Sorting, packing away and tidying are soon to follow.

  Final prep for the Fall semester awaits -- only approximately 2% left undone.

  Dressed in spring green, purples, pinks, white and yellow, nature beckons, suggesting a nice long visit.

  These are some of my joys of this spring day.

  What's blisses are you experiencing today?

  Today's Freebie:  If you have ever opened up Microsoft Word to find that your cursor has inexplicably grown rotund or skinny:

• Open your Control Panel's Ease of Access.  
• Find "Make the Computer Easier to See" or something similar to that verbage.  
• Scroll down to the part about the width of the cursor, which has a drop down numbered selection box and corresponding example box. 
• Choose your preferred visually pleasing size, select Apply and viola!  And don't wait for months to fix this; it's not worth it for such an easy-peasy adjustment! 

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Theme Song Thursday

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Tag

 Labels are extremely obnoxious, especially when applied to me.

 By "label" I mean "a classifying phrase or name applied to a person or thing, especially one that is inaccurate or restrictive."

  I felt my frustration bubbling while in conversation with the "customer service" rep.  Because of my "tag," I was being given standard, dead answers.  Needless to say, I left the conversation feeling powerless.  Not a good feeling, AT ALL.

 Upon review, after my frustration subsided, I realized that I, too, participate in this dishonoring practice.  Labeling or tagging gives me permission to dismiss and to give up on.  Is this a Kingdom practice or mindset?

 Graham Cooke challenges us to seek possibilities in these situations.  That's my dot today.  I must discover Kingdom, power-ful possibilities!

 What?  So what?  Now what?  (Thank-you, MB, for sharing that gem with me.)

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An Eclectic Random Thought

  I feel that if I cannot understand a passage or verse of Scripture through the lens of love, then I  do not understand that verse or passage as of yet.  Interpreting Scripture without the revelation of Holy Spirit, who is Love, is not interpretation, but appeasement of our soulish desire to understand.


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Theme Song Thursday

Your Love is better than life!!!


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Planting a Faith Seed

  It's a small seed, but it's mine.

  Today's lesson so far is:  take time to understand; pray (listen), think deeply and talk out loud to myself about it before talking to someone else in any format, written or spoken.

  Some lessons recent:

• say "yes" to God.  All of your "yes"es add up to steps on your journey.
• listen and believe
• my negative feelings are often misguided

    What lessons, insights are blooming inside of you today?

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Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday

OH YES!!!  COME ON!!!

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Theme Song Thursday on Friday:)

LOVE THIS!!!  Soak and enjoy, friends.


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Fingerprints and the Next Dot

 How my heart celebrates recognizing Papa's fingerprints in my life!  Sometimes when Papa shows up, His Presence impacts my body and my soul, generally feeling weighty and BIG. Other times He impacts my mind more subtly, like a fingerprint left behind.

 Currently one of His fingerprints is "mustard seed."  While pondering through Matthew, the passage in Chapter 13 captured my focus -- it leapt off the page and led me on a thoughtful journey with Holy Spirit.  Though this passage compares the Kingdom to a mustard seed, what I remembered was my male friends at my childhood church receiving a mustard seed tie tack as a gift from our Reverend. He was a master storyteller and retold the parable (Matthew 17) about having a mustard seed of faith and being able to move mountains as part of his presentation of the gift.  This truth captivated me, and of course, made me wish I could be given a mustard seed tie tack, too. To this day, I am incredibly encouraged by that parable.  That same mustard seed of faith that propelled me to say "yes" to Jesus, can move mountains.  He has already given me everything I need for life and Godliness.

 Kris Vallotton taught the same basic message recently along with the exhortation and encouragement to believe you are who God says you are.  Because I am also intentionally reminding myself of who God says I am, these two messages, fingerprints, are alive to me like never before.  Doug Addison keeps prophesying that breakthrough is imminent.  I want to position myself for breakthrough by wielding my mustard seed of faith and beliving that I am who God says I am!

 God's fingerprints also call to mind those beloved dot-to-dot pictures.  Doug Addison says that finding personal purpose and destiny are like a dot-to-dot picture.  My job is to find the next dot; I cannot hurry to the end to see the final picture.  Each one of His fingerprints is a next dot for me.  Learning to recognize them, to fully see and learn from them, and to keep looking for the next dot, all at the very same time, is a challenge for me.  Yet, nothing is impossible with God.

 What fingerprints are you seeing in your life?  What's the most recent dot?  What are you doing to join God in those places?


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Healing Power in the News

                Perhaps it’s too obvious to miss, but when a WSJ’s Personal Journal section headline includes “healing power” in it, I feel like something Kingdom is afoot.  Viewing our life experiences, be they positive or negative, from a Heavenly and thus, positive perspective causes a person’s mental health to improve, that is, his soul to heal.  Further, according to two studies published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in March, while a person cannot control most circumstances in life, he gets to choose how he tells his story and what he does next; in that sense, he gets to write his own ending.

                Several people whom I count as mentors have been teaching multi-faceted layers of this truth for many years – Arthur Burk, Steve Backlund, Danny Silk, Graham Cooke and Doug Addison come readily to mind.  Ultimately they each have unpacked Biblical, Kingdom truth that shifts paradigms and sets the captives free.  You are not your past.  You were made for greatness in the Kingdom – it’s already inside of you.  Don’t ask God why; ask Him what He is doing and join him in that.  Flip the negative and declare the opposite; God’s plans for you are for the good, to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. 

                It’s fun when the world begins to notice, to study, to research and to record data that displays His handiwork.

                Go on and write your own fabulous ending!  Release the healing power of Truth.

 



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Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday

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Theme Song Thursday

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Tech Week 2015, Wednesday

 Peacefulness and order seem to be reigning so far this week.  The costume crew has worked hard to be prepared and has found themselves ahead of the plan.  Tonight is the first dress rehearsal, which will birth new projects.  It will continue to be a GREAT week.

 While labeling and sorting through my thread spools in preparation for their appearance at the theater today, I found myself reflecting upon the various projects associated with those thread colors.  I felt warm, happy and comfortable as I pondered, despite my knowledge that none of those projects were accomplished without mistakes and frustration.  Is it maturity and wisdom that empowers us to remember the entirety of the experience, including the messy and painful bits, and yet still find it a satisfying and even comforting memory?  Perhaps the added bit of knowledge that everyone struggles, makes mistakes and gets frustrated in the process is the "vitamin" that keeps this kind of jumbled rumination healthy?

 And then mix in the wonderful revelation that though now we see dimly, one day we will SEE clearly because we are face-to-face with KINGDOM REALITY.

 When dim seeing is this satisfying, how much more incredibly is what lies ahead?!

  What threads, colors, revelations are you seeing these days?


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Theme Song Thursday

 This is a new one which stirs my spirit.  Enjoy!

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 More than once of late (duh!) I have been told that this is a new creative season for me.

 It has been some time since I wrote an actual post.  Awhile ago, I gave myself the nod to plant Theme Songs on Thursdays for growing seed.  Time to tend the shoots.

 So what do my eyes see in the natural world?  Impossibility.  Where do the hours go?  And then when I have some discretionary minutes -- energy and motivation have evaporated.

 My faith eyes counsel me to believe and to walk.  Off we go. . .

 I have resisted mentioning our kiddos directly in blog posts for a number of reasons, which I will not enumerate here.  Just chalk it up to my desire for privacy for them and for me.  From now on I may or may not be more direct in my references to them.  But I won't default to never referencing them.

 That being said, they do inspire and teach me things often.  Many of them write constantly and consistently.  I want to be like them.

 Then there are my friends who inspire and teach me, also.  One such woman made a comment about all of us having "perceived obstacles."

 Recently a saw a meme that said something about when we see obstacles we have taken our focus off of Him.

 Kris Vallotton shared that God is looking for one person to stand for Him and to step out and do what He has called him/her to do.  With God on my side, what can man do to me?  He is the majority!

 My heart also sings to this tune:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

 The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again,

because there is no effort without error or shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;

who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, is he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. . ."  (Theodore Roosevelt, "Citizenship in a Republic") 

  After years of shying away from the arena all too often, I am daring to step in and strive valiantly.  Will you join me?

 What are you being challenged to do differently?

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