Mature Senses Judge Accordingly

Here's a glimpse of today's used book *sigh* shopping finds 

which I spent a total of less than $5 for altogether :)

Knowing that all Christian & secular books are to be read with discernment. 

as we continually grow in Grace, knowledge and maturity in our walk with the Lord,

we must remember that learning to always "eat the fish and spit out the bones",

is an essential practice that will lead us to health and happiness on so many levels!

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And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy,

and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

In controversy they shall stand as judges,

and judge it according to My judgments.

Ezekiel 44:23-24a

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Now that being said, I do believe this quiet reading occasion

does call for a lovely hot cup of chamomile tea and a nice comfy blanket!

Love Made Me Do It!

Crazy. Difficult. Illogical. 

Those are the top three words that describe the things I am ready to do for the ones I truly love.

When it comes to my husband, I'm pretty much rendered to give into doing just about anything :)

For example, above is a picture of an authentic recipe of 

Pupusas Revueltas con Curtido y Salsa originally from El Salvador

that I learned to make today just because my husband was craving them!

I may be originally from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean,

but my hubby just has to say the word and I fly on to youtube.com 

to learn what I can in a flash about things from his country that make him happy!

Just as I learned Spanish fluently so I could share with him his first language,

I try to be a blessing and help-meet to him even

in taking the time to learn to make various Latin American recipes. 

But in the last 13 years and a half of our marriage

I had not yet learned the tricky palm-slapping art of Pupusas until today.

Thankfully, I just received my very first electric griddle from him on Mother's Day

and was excited to try it out on something beyond banana pancakes (which tasted great too!)

Seeing his wide-eyed look and gigantic smile as he entered the kitchen just made my day.

How I love to surprise him.

And through it, I helped him feel like he went for a quick visit to his home country,

right in the comfort of our own little home, here in beautiful Canada.

Big things, difficult things, out-of-my-comfort-zone things...

When done in love, they are priceless.

Besides, Love makes the big, the difficult and the illogical things quite easy and absolute.
Love has no limitations!

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Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.

1 John 4:7a

Ladies Tea & Reflecting His Beauty

Let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us.

Psalm 90:17

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Dear Lovely Readers,

I'm excited to say that I've hosted my very first Ladies Tea Party!

The occasion was to glorify the Lord for a major answered prayer 

of one of the precious ladies among my guests, for whom we all had been praying for over a year.

As a gesture of love and friendship, 

upon entering my home, I welcomed each of the ladies with a silk flower 

that I pinned right on the side of her head.

One by one they came and after a welcoming smile, warm hug, a sisterly kiss on the cheek

I surprised each of them with this flower in their hair.

All the flowers were the same but each lady received a different color.

They were all overjoyed to be given such a token of beauty 

and all kept asking if they could keep it always.

"Of course darlings!" was my reply, "these are yours forever to keep."

When all were present, I read a poem them I thanked the Lord in prayer 

for His Faithfulness to hear us when we call and for His provision of the food and friends.

Then we all got to the fun moments of eating delicious treats and drinking hot tea and punch.

By the end of the tea party, the ladies all had a feeling of beauty and femininity,

which they had somehow received from the gesture of the flower

and were all laughing and taking pictures together, even a couple of ladies who had never met before!

Although their ages ranged from 20's to 60's, and they had very different cultures and points of view,

they found they were given a common love that was extended to all equally,

as if to deny any one person thinking of herself as better, lovelier or more important than another.

In truth, women today suffer greatly from often trying hard to vainly stand out among the rest, 

but in my home, I wanted everyone to find equal acceptance, welcome and love.

As the hostess, I wanted to make sure I set the atmosphere correctly,

one which could bring glory to my Lord.

It was a small way to show them the Light of Christ,

Who sees all of us, who are washed by His Redeeming blood, as now equally beautiful!

Upon their leaving, I gave each lady this lovely gift:

A mini booklet and pen set

Reflecting the Beauty of the Lord, 25 Devotions for Women

As they read it, I will be praying they all begin to understand their worth and beauty in Him!

Here is a quick passage from the devotional that I want to share:

The inner beauty is not something we can manufacture or create for ourselves,

no matter how diligently we try.

Instead, it comes to us as a gift from God,

a gift won by Jesus himself on Calvary's cross.

The inner beauty cannot be patented or purchased,

nor does it belong to only a select few.

Instead, it is our heavenly Father's gift to each and every one of us,

his daughters in Jesus, our Savior.

That beauty makes a difference in our lives; 

in fact, it makes all the difference!

Jesus wants to cover us with his beauty. 

He wants to wrap us with the white robe of his forgiveness and grace.

That robe defines the word sumptuous.

It's woven from the threads of his love--love that died for us on the cross.

Jesus places it on our shoulders, transferring his remarkable beauty onto us!

Sooner or later, outward beauty will fail us.

The good new is that we need not look into the mirror to find acceptance and love.

Instead, we can look to the cross of our Savior,

the beautiful Savior whose grace enfolds us and transforms us so that,

forgiven of all sins, we reflect his own perfect beauty!

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,

are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,

just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18

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The Laying On Of Hearts

Mentoring is different than teaching. 

Teachers instruct you, but mentors love you.

Because they love you, you want to learn everything they know;

you want to become like them.

Mentors cannot be assigned. 

You can try to assign them, but unless the mentor has it in his heart to really love

the particular person who whom he has been assigned,

teaching, not mentoring, will be the result.

Mentoring is what Elijah did to Elisha.

Elijah imparted himself, not just facts.

The ministry of "laying on of hands" in an impartation setting can mean a variety of things.

Through the laying on of hands we can impart healing, strength, encouragement, and spiritual gifts.

People definitely get blessed and helped.

But when you want a person's gifts to grow and develop to their full potential,

that takes what I call "the laying on of hearts."

As we read the Scriptures, it is obvious that Paul was a mentor to Timothy.

In First Timothy 4:14, Paul lovingly reminded Timothy not to neglect 

the spiritual gifts that had been given through the laying on of hands.

The two books of Timothy are personal letters from a father,

written to encourage and stir up the son whom he loved.

Love is the ingredient that causes heart growth.

Mentors do not just lay hands on a person; they lay their hearts on as well.

There is a difference between laying on hands to impart a blessing

and truly loving someone into his destiny.

Mentoring is saying to a person,

"I'm going to give you what you need. I'm doing to bless you and take care of you.

I'm going to give you my time and my energy.

I'm going to give you everything I have."

We need to understand the commitment this entails.

We need to count the cost.

Mentoring our children is not something you do for 45 minutes once a week.

It is something you have to do every day of your life.

It doesn't take minutes; it takes a lifetime.

It is the kind of commitment that causes us to be joined in heart and spirit with our children

so that we can pour our anointing into them, mixing with the River of God already within them.

By opening your heart and loving the children in your life,

you will break down their defenses of fear and rebellion.

There are children all around you:

your own children, nieces and nephews, boys and girls in your local church.

You can make a difference in their lives.

They will be ones to whom you can pass the torch of God's Presence.

-- by Don Nori, Breaking Generational Curses

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You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1

Fresh & Light Dinner Idea

Greetings, Lovely Readers!

Here's a quick & fresh light dinner idea, that's easy to make,

so you can sit and enjoy your loved ones,

while relaxing on these spring weeknights or on the weekends.

Hope you enjoy this tasty recipe I just made for my own family. It's absolutely deliciosa!

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- Mexican Shrimp Cocktail -

2-3 lbs cooked & peeled medium-sized shrimp

2 - 3 tomatoes, chopped

1 1/2 avocados, chopped

1/2 red onion, diced

1/2 bunch cilantro, minced

1/2 fresh seeded jalapeño pepper, diced

1 cup ketchup

1 1/2 cups tomato clam cocktail juice

2 limes, juiced

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

dash salt & pepper

Mix all ingredients very well in a large glass bowl.

Refrigerate at least 4 hours.

Serve in large wide glasses if desired,

topped with extra cilantro and your favorite hot chili sauce,

accompanied with saltine crackers or crunchy tostadas.

Give Thanks, Praise Your Provider & Enjoy, Lovely Readers!

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He blesses the habitation of the just.

Proverbs 3:33b

No Other Name

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; 

the righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10

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And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6b

His name is full of wonder, miracles, excitement, fulfillment, peace and joy.

There is something about that name!

Our thoughts today must be positive--looking for the good and wonderfulness of the Lord.

He is Almighty God who parted the Red Sea, raised Lazareth from the dead,

and lives today in our hearts, wanting to be a miracle in our life.

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.

Isaiah 9:7a

To be sure, life will bring sorrow, broken hearts, health problems,

financial difficulties, and much, much more.

Our life in and with our Lord will bring dependence, maturity,

refreshment, refuge, redemption, righteous judgment, and many rewards.

Plus, He will restore your heart, mind and soul.

Take your problems and worries of today, wrap them in a box, and close the lid very tightly.

Then, my dear, put it into the wonderful hands of Jesus.

Now walk away and don't take it back.

Eighty percent of the things we worry about never happen anyway--

so let Jesus take the remaining 20 percent.

He will give back to you 100 percent of His life and peace.

In fact, He has done it already for you as He hung on the cross of Calvary.

Let's sing His wonderful name: Jesus.

There's just something about that name!

Father God, You have so many wonderful names.

May I search out the Scripture and really get to know You by Your names.

Each one has a special meaning and gives me deeper understanding to who You are.

Reveal Your character to me today.

Amen

-- by Emilie Barnes, 15 minutes Alone with God

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Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; 

He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 55:22

Simple Kitchen Secrets

Whatever the season, it takes so little to make room 

for the warm comfort of the kitchen in our everyday lives. 

Sharing secrets and concerns over tea, dinner, or the dishes 

helps us draw closer in love to one another. 

If you take the time to be in the kitchen, 

every cupboard and every counter top can transform your life and your home 

with delicious warmth and beauty.

~ Simple Kitchen Secrets ~

* Make your kitchen a place that says "Welcome." A bowl of freshly washed lemons is a great way to say "Hello!"

* Make the inside of your refrigerator a feast for the eye. Use see-through containers for fruit. A bouquet of parsley in a small glass adds a fresh touch. Even a small bowl of flowers can bless the eye of anyone looking for a snack.

* After baking an apple pie, set it on the counter to cool--and perfume the house. Try piling some fresh apples next to it for a delightful "before and after" look.

* Freeze grapes and roll them in granulated sugar. Store in a glass bowl or on a pretty plate and toss in a salad or use as a garnish.

* Store foods in ways that allow them to be decorative as well as useful. Display fruit in a basket or special bowl on the kitchen table or drainboard. Stack potatoes and onions in a basket and use it to enliven an 

out-of-the way corner of your counter or floor.

* Popovers and other quick breads let you put fresh bread on the table in a hurry.  Or stir up a batch of blueberry or cranberry muffins for a sweet and colorful bread treat.

* Next time you make buttered toast, sprinkle on some cinnamon and sugar. An old idea, but when was the the last time you did it?

* Put your olive oil and wine vinegar in pretty decanters by your stove. I like to make a seasoned olive oil by combining two dried red peppers, the seeds from two more red peppers, one tablespoon each of rosemary and thyme, and four cloves of garlic in a quart jar and covering with olive oil. Or just put a few cloves of garlic in a glass bottle and fill with oil.

* Add one-half teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of ground cloves to your coffee grounds next time you brew. Drink out of your favorite cup and saucer and enjoy the fresh flavor and smell.

* Use a pepper mill and grind your own pepper fresh at the table.

* On a slow afternoon, put on soft music and browse through your favorite recipe book for ideas and inspiration.

* Hang a basket or two from the ceiling beam or over a wall in the kitchen or breakfast room.

* "Dejunk" your kitchen 15 minutes at a time. The room will look more spacious, and you'll be more inspired to spend time there.

* Help your child plant some seeds in a small container and place it in your kitchen window to sprout.

* Instead of buying regular applesauce, buy apples. A bowl of homemade applesauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon is a healthful, easy-to-make snack or dessert.

* Take time today to small the roses--and the soup!

--By Emilie Barnes, Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home

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