Los-Angeles-Times-farmingonfaith: October 2013

My God Is A God Of Second Chances

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Devotions

Albert Einstein wrote a letter to his son~ Eduard. His advice was ~ "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." The advice was very wise and practical that the great physicist passed on to his boy.

Sort of reminds me of the Christian walk. When I gave my heart to Jesus it was forever. So ~ by faith I keep moving ahead even when life is painful. We all have those little slivers in life that just keep us on our knees.

Sometimes in the Christian walk we as Christians experience personal failure and lose our balance and fall. But GOD~ in His goodness is waiting to pick us up and get us moving again. The only true failure in the christian walk is staying down and no longer moving ahead in the spiritual life.

God records a few blunders for us to realize that we to need a forgiving Saviour. Abraham lied to Pharaoh about Sarah. Jacob lied to his father to steal his brother's birthright. Moses didn't stick with God's plan by striking that rock. You know what? In spite of their blunders this is what God had to say about them.

Hebrews 11:39

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith,

Even though these people fell ~ they repented and turned back to God and kept moving forward in their spiritual walk. They served a God of second chances.

Guess what? He is a God of third and fourth chances too!

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Pumpkin Crunch Cake~

Posted by Unknown |

Pumpkin Crunch Cake~

1 yellow cake mix

1 can pumpkin

1 12 oz. can evaporated milk

3 eggs

1 1/2 cup sugar

4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup melted butter

whipped topping

Combine pumpkin, milk, egg, sugar,pumpkin pie spice, and salt in bowl. Pour into pan.

Sprinkle dry yellow cake mix evenly over pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle pecans over top. Drizzle melted butter over everything.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Cool completely and top with whip topping. Refrigerate left overs!

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How To Pop Fantastic Microwave Popcorn~

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Recipes

Tomorrow morning we have granite counter tops being installed in the kitchen at our new house. So tonight we prepared the kitchen~ killing the power to our stove. I decided to try my luck at some microwave popcorn. It was really good!

Place 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels in a Pyrex bowl. Cover the bowl with a ceramic plate. Making sure the plate covers the bowl well. Microwave about 3 minutes ~ give or take. Watch closely until you notice the kernels have stopped popping.

Be careful when removing bowl from the microwave because it will be very hot and use pot holders to remove bowl from the microwave. Immediately remove lid to keep popcorn from becoming soggy.

No oil needed~ no waste and tastes real close to stove popped version.

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Overnight Rolls~

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Homemade Bread, My Chicks, Recipes

OVERNIGHT YEAST ROLLS

2 pkg. yeast
2 1/2 c. warm water
3/4 c. melted shortening
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
8 to 8 1/2 c. flour
2 1/2 tsp. salt

Soften yeast in warm water. Add shortening, sugar, eggs, 4 cups flour and salt. Stir in remaining flour. This will be a soft dough. Cover and refrigerate overnight or until needed. This will keep several days. Shape into rolls or loaf and let rise in warm place until double.
Bake at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes.

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Fairy Tale Thinking~

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Devotions

Psalm 37:4

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

When I was a young girl I had a friend who lived on Ashland Avenue and Folsom Street. She had the most beautiful home and I thought she was rich~ for it was the most beautiful area in our little hometown. My mom was a single Mother and money was tight~ she worked hard but we mostly lived in rentals. I prayed and asked God to please let me live on Ashland Ave when I grew up. You know God hears the prayers of even a child. When I was 24 years old my Brian and I bought our first little house on that street ~Folsom Street right off of Ashland Avenue.

I am convinced that God gave me that desire of my heart~I lived on that street for almost 18 years. We lived in a small house for about 8 years and then moved into this Historical Queen Anne Home a couple houses down. I loved this house! God was so good to give me the desires of my heart! I raised my children in this wonderful neighborhood~ and made so many sweet memories!

I also had a heart's desire that my father would stop drinking and accept Christ as his Saviour~ that our family could be a family without the influence of the bottle. That we could go to church and have a family life. My mother and siblings and I did end up having a Christ filled home and still do but my father left our family when I was about 10 years old. In this case my father choose not to stop drinking.

We are mistaken if we believe that if we are doing God's will everything in life will turn out the way we hoped or dreamed. God proves the opposite time and again in His Word.

Does this mean God does not love us? No

God gives us numerous Bible examples where God did not give His children the desires of their heart.

Look at Joseph. He did not cave into temptations, especially with that floozy of a woman~what a man!

Picture Joseph, sitting in a prison cell in Egypt. We would all agree that while in prison~ his desire was to go back home to his family. Joseph probably never once sat in prison, hoping to become Pharaoh's right-hand man and marry the daughter of an Egyptian priest. No~ Joseph did not even know to desire that, but that was God's will for him.

Joseph was given incredible power, influence and fame. The facts show us he never got his dream of going back home, marrying an Israeli girl, and growing old in his hometown. In his heart he never ceased to desire to go home. He eventually commanded his children to carry his coffin out of Egypt when he died ~ so that he could finally make it home.

You see my Father did accept Christ as his Saviour but it did not turn out as I had hoped and dreamed. He went home to be with Jesus two years ago but never got complete victory over the bottle. But ~ I know that God had given my dad so I could reach his heart.

We must learn to be content to allow the Lord His way in our lives, even if it means sacrificing our own plans and dreams. What God gives to us will far outshine anything we can ever imagine.

I now enjoy a Godly (not perfect) but peace filled home with a man who loves me and cherishes me. God has a plan and we can trust Him~His plan is always best! Best of all God has carried me through the hard times in my life and I have learned I can trust Him!

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Just Be Yourself~Everyone Else Is Taken

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Devotions

Psalm 139:14

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

I feel inadequate much of the time. I mean I have been known to be mad at my husband, (Only a time or two) and as much as I would like to lie~ I have yelled at my children.( More than a time or two.) I sometimes don't want to cook supper and I hate being put in situations that I can't control. (I am a recovering control freak.) My hot blooded temper sometimes gets the best of me and I say things I should not say. I am addicted to chocolate and Diet Coke~ for Pete's sake.

I look at Michelle Duggar~ like her or not~ she does it so well! I look at Beth Moore and wish I had her wisdom to reach the hearts of so many. I look at Patsy Clairmont and wish I had a ounce of her humor. I am not funny at all. Closer to home I look at my sister~Angie and admire her ability to stay calm, cool and collected even in extreme chaos and stay sweet as can be to boot. I admired my Grandma Baker to lose an arm to cancer but she could still whip the world into shape. I admire my mother's ability to raise three kids on a pauper's purse. I look at my friend Pam and admire her ability to bring such compassion and comfort to everyone around her. I look at my Pastor's wife~ Connie and admire her ability to win souls to Jesus.

But then it is just ME that I wake up to each day in the mirror. When I feel these feelings of inadequacy threaten to overwhelm me I cling to the Scriptures.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

I am reminded of Moses who had a speech impediment. David was was only a shepherd boy~ who grew up to commit adultery and murder. And remember Sarah~ talk about doing or saying things you shouldn't~ she laughed at God's messenger. I bet she never lived that one down from her peers. Then there was foolish Rebekah who encouraged her son to be deceitful to his own father~ that reaping and sowing cost her big time. There is no denying that in spite of their human frailties~ God used them all!

This morning I am reminding you as well as myself that God made us who we are. He has a plan for our lives and He loves us just the way we are but He loves us too much to leave us that way. Although He will continue to mold us and make us ~ we are just who He created us to be.

Just be yourself ~ God can use me; God can use you. All He requires is a willing ~ totally committed heart.

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It Is A Wonderful Life~

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Devotions

This morning as I took my walk it started out with a beautiful spring like day. Then the sun came out and it felt much like summer~ but very short lived. The wind picked up and the Autumn breezes blew and by the time I finished my walk Jack Frost was nipping at my nose. It is that time of year~ isn't it?

As I was walking I couldn't help but get side tracked with the beautiful Creation that God has blessed us with~ He truly is the ultimate artist. I forgot that I was racing my running guy at times ~ getting caught up in the joy of it all.

Soon my walk became more about getting my worship on than getting my three miles checked off my to-do list. I couldn't help but thank God for all the blessing in this "wonderful life" of mine. For the air that I breathe, the healthy body that carried me around and around my laps, the wonderful man that I walk this life with, for my beautiful children, grandchildren and family, my church and my friends. Then I began to weep as I thanked God for the greatest gift of all~ my salvation which cost me nothing but cost my Saviour so very much.

Romans 10:10

King James Version

¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:13

King James Version

¹³For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

You see my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I am nothing but He loves me so much that He made me His child. He has blessed me with so very much~ I can't help but be happy. It is a "Wonderful Life."

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Mary Engelbreit's Peace On Earth

Posted by Unknown |

What an adorable book~ this copy is saved for my little Olivia. Mary Engelbreit's dearest wish has always been to illustrate for children. Her new Christmas book is written for young readers~ 4 to 8 years old.

The book features bright and beautiful pictures to capture the attention of all ages. The artwork is so colorful! It contains the story of the birth of Jesus along with other stories, poems and Christmas Carols. I loved reading each and every page. It will be a keepsake for many Christmases to come.

It is just in time for Christmas and would make a fantastic gift to the young reader in your life.
I rate this book with 5 stars!

Book Description

I surely wish with all my heart, This day of Jesus’ birth, That peace and love and happiness Soon cover all the earth.

Mary Engelbreit rings in the holiday with a Christmas collection that includes many of her favorite carols, the story of Jesus' birth, and beloved poems that touch the heart and celebrate the miracle of the season

This book was provided to me in exchange for my honest review by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

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Happy Monday~

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Devotions

Good Morning Blog Friends~

It feels a bit like Winter here at Farming on Faith. I am preparing myself for a 38 degree walk this morning. I am getting the feeling that we will not be having an Indian Summer. But~ I am excited for the Holidays. I just love this time of year.

This morning I read about one of today's booming corporations. It began in 1916 as a carpenter's shop in Denmark. When the Great Depression came along the housing market crashed so it became a toy manufacturer. It produced mostly wooden toys ~ the company burned down to the ground in 1960. The company decided to stake its future on little interlocking plastic bricks that it had been making. Today we know this company as the fifth- largest toymaker in the world with annual sales of $1 billion. It is know by the name of~ Lego.

Sometimes we just have some tough things in life to deal with~ now don't we?

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:20

Joseph in the Bible didn't have it so easy before his success. He encountered many calamities along his journey~ I just love Joseph. He was sold by his own brothers. (Talk about some rejection being served up.) He was falsely accused of sexual assault and put in prison. He was left there to rot in prison by so called friends who promised to help him. But in spite of all these obstacles~ Joseph rose to the top~ second in command to Pharaoh. He saved many lives and forgave his brothers and lavished them with his success.

We are really good at looking at success but ignoring the difficulties and suffering that came before it. There are situations in our lives that we can't control~ rejection, betrayal, unfaithfulness. We can't control these circumstances but we can control how we react to them.

Are you dealing with a difficult situation this morning? Take it to God and leave the outcome to Him. He can be trusted to work it out and turn it into success.

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea,

thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8 KJV

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Saturday's Chat From The Farmhouse Porch~

Posted by Unknown |

Want to join the chat?~ click here.

How many animals do you have? Well as you all know ~ I had to give up my chickens when we moved. I really miss my girls. I drive by and get a peek at them once in awhile. I have Pippa Lou~ the Corgi and two cats my Gypsy girl abandoned~ Patches and Annie.
Have you begun Christmas plans, travel, decorations, crafts, menu, etc.? Yes ~ but just starting. We are planning to head to Colorado to spend Christmas with my Aunt. First time in 47 years we will not be home for Christmas. Still trying to decide on a color scheme for decorating.
Do you celebrate Harvest Season or Halloween? I decorate for Fall but will light up the house and hand out treats.
How do you heat your house? Our home is all electric but I am excited I have a gas fireplace and a wood burning fireplace this year. We had our first real fire last night~ it was so much fun! Well except the smoke alarm went off several times. Not sure what to do about that~ tehe!
Do you like dishes with white centers or centers with patterns? I have a dish fetish~ so it really doesn't matter to me. I like to have seasonal dishes.~colors.

Delight thyself also in the Lord:

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalms 37:4

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Homemade Frosted Pumpkin Hand Soap~

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Frugal Homemade Cleaners

This smells heavenly. ~ It makes about a gallon for just pennies!

1 bar of Dove soap
1/4 cup of Borax
1/4 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
4 cups of water

Grate a bar of soap with a hand cheese grater. Add to an old pan. ( so you can whisk it good) Next, add the water. Melt until it is totally dissolved. Slowly add Borax and Washing Soda. Cook on medium heat until it thickens like frosting~about 10 minutes.

Cool quickly ~ I cooled on my porch. As it cools keep whisking it. It will become very thick. Add enough hot water slowly after it cools until it reaches the consistency you wish.

I added Frosted Pumpkin scent and food coloring. You could use natural scents or leave as is if you like.

I buy all my scents form Natures Garden Candle Supplies online.

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Saturday Chat On The Farmhouse Porch~

Posted by Unknown |

Are you doing any crafts or DIY projects now? I am about to whip up some Homemade Pumpkin Hand Soap!
Recipe Here
If I could snap my fingers, I'd make homemade tamales for dinner.
What author would you like to have lunch with? (It doesn't have to be someone alive now. We could use a time machine or something. :) Emilie Barnes
I wanted to tell all of you folks at chats to have a happy~ happy~ happy day.
Heaven has been on my mind a lot lately.

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 KJV

Join the chat here~

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It's Beginning To Look Like An Amish Christmas~

Posted by Unknown |

I was so excited when this little book came in the mail. I love a good Amish book and I love Christmas. This book was such a fun read. It was inspired by a true story which made it so much better.

It is written in the time of World War II . Rose finds out that her life has been a lie ~ she is not really Amish at all. She was abandoned and taken in by her Amish parents ~ whom she loved with all her heart. Why did her birth parents leave her behind? Why had her family not told her the truth? What will the man she loves do when he finds out she is not really Amish? Will he love her? Will she even be allowed to stay according to the the Bishop? Does she even want to stay Amish? So many questions to answer in this little novella.

I loved this book and could not put it down. What a great Christmas gift this would make. I give it 5 stars!

Book Description

Inspired by a true story, A Christmas Gift for Rose is a heartwarming novella of sacrifice and deep love.

Born in the midst of the hardships of the Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But as she prepares to marry, she's thrown into confusion when she learns the truth of her birth. She was born Englisch and abandoned when the family moved on in search of work.

Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind-Englischers? And was her intended's gift of discovering her birth family given out of love or fear?

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The Pumpkin Man~

Posted by Unknown |

In the city of Colorado Springs, people called Nick Venetucci “The Pumpkin Man.” Every autumn for 50 years, he invited thousands of school children to visit his farm along the banks of Monument Creek, pick a free pumpkin, and take it home. Nick loved walking through his fields with the kids, helping them find “just the right one.”

The principal of the local elementary school, which was named in Venetucci’s honor, said, “He taught our kids the definition of generosity. He gave, gave, gave, and never expected anything in return.” When Nick died at the age of 93, the community saluted him as a hero because of his kind and generous spirit

The Pumpkin man shared the fruits of his labor because he wanted to be giving. The Bible encourages us to be giving people. Are you stingy or are you giving? I think stingy people are just stinky. I don't want to be a "stinky" person.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8

⁷Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
⁸And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

The Pumpkin Man gave what he had to bless others and he touched many lives. What do you have to give? The grace will come from God if you ask for it~ but the giving comes from the heart. How would we feel if God was stingy with His resources as we are with our resources? (Just a thought.) The story of the Pumpkin man blessed my heart and challenged me to see where I could be more giving. Remember we are not going to take anything with us when we make our final journey Home.

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Just Walk and Talk

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Devotions

When I lived in the city I had the best place in town to walk~ so I walked. I walked most everyday. For 18 years I walked that same little Ashland Avenue. I would walk away stress and walk to get the babies to come. I would walk to loose weight~ I would walk to just walk. But always I would walk to talk~ talk to my Heavenly Father.

Then we moved to the country and I no longer had a good place to walk. I lived on a little highway with no shoulder and I felt as though I risked my life walking in the road. Not to mention all the critters I would happen upon~ like snakes. I made excuses not to walk~ so for the past five years I have not been good at walking.

Two months ago we moved into a little neighborhood that is perfect for walking. I have been walking these two months at least 5-6 times a week. I feel so much better and I have dropped 10 pounds. I didn't realize how out of shape I was~ ouch!

When I first started back to walking it was not so fun. My feet hurt and my shins hurt. In fact my hips are still hurting.Why? Because I had allowed my body to get out of shape. I started out with 2 miles and have worked up to 4 miles a day but it has taken some work and sweat.

Not only our physical bodies get out of shape but so does our spiritual bodies. If we get out of practice of reading our Bible, quiet time and missing church before we know it we will be out of tune with our Heavenly Father. It 's not so easy to just get back to where we need to be~ it sometimes takes a little work and pain. But just like my walking~ it is so worth it.

This morning after my walk I came home and enjoyed a cup of coffee with some Vanilla~ Carmel creamer and rested. It felt so good to cool down and although I was tired ~I felt exhilarated. As I sit here and peg away at this computer I am reminded that we were made to be healthy in our body~ mind and spirit. Our Creator loves us and wants us to be in the best shape possible.

We are valuable to God!

Here is what your identity looks like:
I am a child of God (John 1:12).
I am Jesus' chosen friend (John 15:15).
I am holy and acceptable to God (Romans 5:1).
I have been bought with a price and belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
I am a saint, a holy one (Ephesians 1:1).
I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10).
I am free from any condemning charges (Romans 8:31).
I can't be separated from God's love (Romans 8:35).
I am born of God; the evil one can't touch me (1 John 5:18).
I am a Spirit-empowered witness of Christ (Acts 1:8).
I am a temple where the Holy Spirit lives (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19).
I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

My walking partner~ Pippa Lou!
Want to race me?

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Grandma Catron's Pickled Beets~ Amish Style

Posted by Unknown |

If you have visited an Amish home or Restaurant~ you know that Pickled Beets are on most tables. I just love them. I would buy them from my Amish neighbors for about $8.00 a quart. I found this recipe in my Grandma's recipes. It is so good! Hope you enjoy!

Grandma Catron's Pickled Beets~

2 cups sugar
3-1/2 c. white vinegar
1-1/2 c. water
1 t. salt
1 T. cinnamon
1 T. all spice
4 16 oz. cans small whole beets, drained
4 1-pint canning jars and lids

Combine sugar, vinegar, water, salt, and spices in a large kettle; bring to a boil over medium heat. Add beets. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes; cool. Pack into hot jars; cover with liquid. Store in the refrigerator up to 3 weeks.

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Autumn Fruit Salad~

Posted by Unknown |

What to do with all those apples? Here is a keeper~ so yummy!

Cast of characters~

6 - 8 apples
1 14oz can pineapple tidbits
2 cups pineapple or pineapple/orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbsp cornstarch

Here's what you do~

Pour pineapple tidbits and juice into a large bowl.

Peel and chop apples into small sizes, adding to the pineapple as you chop. Stir in between to allow pineapple juice to coat apples~ this keeps them from turning brown.

In a small pot, bring 1 cup pineapple juice to boil.

Place sugar, cornstarch and 1 cup juice in a tightly covered container and shake, then add to boiling juice, stirring until thick and smooth. Stirring constantly. Then let it cool.

Lastly~Pour chopped fruit through colander and then mix with sauce.

Chill to before serving.

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"When There's A Choice To Be Made~ Dance."

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Devotions

Psalm 68:4

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name:

extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah,

and rejoice before him.

Recently our Pastor told us this story and I came across it again today in my devotions. It is the story of the woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. “Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today. She did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmm,” she said, “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.” She did and she had a great day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. “Well,” she said, “today I’m going to wear my hair in a ponytail.” So she did and she had a fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. “Yes!” she exclaimed, “I don’t have to fix my hair today!” Now that’s what I call having a good attitude.

It all comes down to our attitude. This morning trending on Yahoo was Valerie Harper's farewell on Dancing with the Stars. I don't watch that show but I was intrigued to see what her farewell was. You know she had been given three months to live after a rare terminal lung cancer that travels to the brain. She has decided to fight it and has lived much longer. Her farewell was that you can choose to sit and feel sorry for yourself or you can get off the couch and live. She said, " If there's a choice to be made~ dance. Don't let cancer or anything else stop you." What an attitude. At 73 ~ she knew she would be eliminated after the first round but made it to round four. Wow!

As I was walking this morning. I couldn't help but think about how our attitude can literally change everything. When I chose to give my heart to Jesus and become a Christ follower. He took up residence in this messy life of mine. Oh ~ I am so thankful He did.

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

A mind fixed on God will bring praise and praise makes everything in life sweeter. We can sit in our own personal pity party or we can choose to dance. The choice is ours to make. Praise brings healing to the soul. Praise is our weapon against our own "stinkin thinkin." When we place our trust in Christ and trust Him~ praise will follow. Stress and anxiety seem to fade when we are filled with praise.

No matter what you are facing today choose to dance by praising Him!

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Fabulous Friday On My Farmhouse Porch~

Posted by Unknown |

http://www.everydayruralty.com

Good Morning Blog Friends on this Fabulous Friday~

I am a bit tired after my walk this morning so I decided to be lazy today. I decided to take part in "Chats on the Farmhouse Porch" just for fun. Care to join me?

It is looking like a stormy day here in Missouri at Farming On Faith. I am looking forward to a weekend home. How about you? Do you have big plans?

When you pass the salt, do you automatically send the pepper with it? Yep~ I think I do!
How many fingers do you usually type with? All of them~ of course.
Do you keep interesting coins when you run across them? No~ I don't! My dad did though and I have all of the coins he had on him the day he died. They are special to me. I would like to ask him why he carried them on him every day. But that will have to wait until we meet again.
Did you enjoy September, or did it fly by too quickly? I sure did~ I went back to see my sweet Washington babies. I think that calls for a Grammy moment!
If I could turn back the hands of time~ tehe, I'd get more done each day.

Wish you could pull up a chair and share my

Vanilla Carmel Coffee on my farmhouse porch this morning.

That would be great fun!

Have a fabulous Friday!

Matthew 11:28

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

You can join the "Chat on the Farmhouse Porch"~ here!

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I Need A Make-Over!

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Devotions

I have a lot of "NEW" things in my life lately. Have I told you I hate change?

I have a new home~a new place to walk~ new neighbors ~ my husband has a new job position~ we have a new church~ new time on my hands ~ and did I mention a new puppy?

Yep ~ I thought I needed a puppy I guess because I am lonely. (Isn't that funny!) Boy~ has she transformed our home. The adorable Pippa Lou the Corgi is so cute but that is not the end of the story. I have spent months training her. She was doing so well .......until the move. It appears that a move is the number one cause for a puppy to regress in potty training. SO here we go again back to square one. I am praying she will grow into her bladder and better doggy habits.... soon! Maybe even adjust to her new surroundings and her new doggy neighbors.

I am even excited to see our new home take on a makeover. There was some water damage from a roof leak and my Brian has been working so hard to get those ceilings repaired. Some things needed repaired and some things needed painted. My Brian added shutters and painted the front door. We put in a new sink and several new faucets. The transformation is amazing fun. It is beginning to look like us.

I love walking around my new little neighborhood. It makes it easy for me to make myself walk each day. Yesterday ~I walked three miles. I am pushing for four this morning. I am hoping to see a transformation here too~ you know~ a few unwanted pounds.

You see God is in the transforming business. Yep ~ no matter how much I dislike change He is pushing me to new heights. I am doing new things I never thought I could do at this stage of life. There comes a time when everything just needs a little make-over.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

We like to quote this verse when we become new babes in Christ. But the truth is God is working on us ~ transforming and changing us each and every day of our lives. Sometimes is is fun like making my new house look like me but the walking four miles and working up a sweat is not so much.

God is all about transformations! When we turn our lives over to Him ~ He will take the broken areas of our lives and replace the mess with a beauty that is far beyond ourselves~ the beauty of Christ shining through us. This verse below says when we look to Him we are lightened~ radiant. I want my life to be radiant~ don't you?

Psalm 34:5

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

Isaiah 43:18-19
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

You see we all have brokenness that God needs to fix~ just like my drippy faucets. We all have stains in our lives that need to be repaired~ just like my ceilings. We all have areas we need transformed from dull to shining~ a spiritual make-over. It is so simple ~ when we seek Him and His forgiveness ~ He meets us with grace and mercy and forgives us completely. He begins His work in us with an amazing work of transformation.

Let's face it~ we all need a make-over!

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