Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (NIV 1984)
March 29, 2012 A Complete Waste of Time Lysa TerKeurst "Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear." James 1:19 (MSG) My daughter Brooke got in the car the other day and sighed. It was one of those sighs that said, "I'm going through something, but unless you ask me, I'm not freely revealing this information." I casually inquired, "Tell me the high from your day and your low." "Mom," she groaned letting me know she secretly loved that I was asking, but all the middle school in her was making her play it cool. I waited quietly knowing she'd eventually tell me. And she did. Something hard had happened at school that day. I put my hand on hers, "I'm sorry sweetheart. I know that makes you sad." To my surprise, this normally emotional child said, "Actually no. I've decided sometimes being sad or mad over stuff like this is a compete waste of my time." And just like that she smiled and was ready to get on with her day. No tears. No tirade. No lamenting and wearing herself out with a tidal wave of emotion while over-processing this situation. Just a 13-year-old's decision that this wasn't worth all that. The child turned tutor. The young one doling out wisdom. Sometimes being sad or mad over stuff like this is a complete waste of my time. I've mulled her statement over in my mind a hundred times. It's good. It's truth. Indeed there are things to be sad about ... but so much of what pulls at my emotions isn't worth the time and energy I give it. I love how James 1:19-21 reads in Eugene Peterson's paraphrase: Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation garden of your life. Is there something you've been sad or mad about that maybe is a waste of your time? Ask God to help you have a different perspective. Dear Lord, some days my emotions seem to steam roll me. Please help me reconnect with You and know that many times being sad or mad over stuff is a complete waste of my time. I'd rather focus on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen. PEACEFUL SOLUTIONS
www.peacefulliving.weebly.com SIMPLE BASIC FOUNDATIONS FOR WELLNESS: · WATER WATER WATER (not purified) · TEA TEA TEA · NO white sugar or white flower · Try to reduce or eliminate contact with toxins…this includes processed foods, artificial ingredients, toxins in hygiene and cleaning products, and from your environment. I know changes can take some time and may not be accepted well by everyone….start slow if you need to and do the easiest things first; replace what you can make yourself or what has a natural alternative available (natural versions of things are growing in popularity but be careful as the FDA provides loop holes for the term “organic” and “natural”) Try to balance not good items with super good items (for example if you cant get off the oreos be sure you drink extra water and eat extra antioxidants and perhaps drink a good green or detoxifying tea). If you aren’t ready……implement these things when you need to boost immune system, fight a bug, or are just plain feeling off. Wishing you wellness…-Tif COLD, FLU, AND IMMUNE BOOSTING · Essential oils of oregano, lemon, thyme, and doterra’s On Guard….on the bottoms of feet, diffused in the air, and in food (not On Guard). · Lemon, orange, and ginger water….make it for your tea and get a double dose of goodness · Honey in tea · Teas with licorice, ginger, clove, etc….think holiday spices · Make a salve with Garlic onion and olive oil and rub on chest or feet. · Cook with GARLIC, ONION, AND HERBS (oregano, thyme, rosemary, etc.) · THROAT and Respiratory- star anise and licorice in tea…Traditional Medicines Throat Care · Echinacea – available in tea and tablets, best is liquid drops · Zinc Tablets – available with Echinacea in them J · Ginger tablets · Mint in anything….must be actual mint (peppermint is best) SINUS · Homeopathic “sinus” formula (available at Freds and Safway for just a few bucks) · Essential Oils: eucalyptus, tea tree (melaluca), peppermint (if you cannot tolerate these use a strong citrus or tree oil like pine, they will not work as for decongesting and breathing though) - Place 1-4 drops in a steam bowl and inhale for as long as possible - Place 1-4 drops in a bowl with at least a few cups of water, get hot then soak wash rag with it and lay over face or on chest avoiding open eyes. - Diffuse into the air - Put in a cup of hot water and inhale (do not drink) - Put a drop on the sheet under your pillow (you do not want to get into eyes) · Tifs Sinus Mixer – rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus in gradeseed oil rubbed on sinuses when needed or inhaled out of bottle *be cautious with children and the strong oils…lavender can be used if they are very young or sensitive to the oils. I also recommend diffusing them into the air before placing them on their little bodies, this can be done just with a bowl of water on the stove if that is all you have. If placing them on a kiddo, moisturize their skin with olive oil first to prepare the skin and use the wash rag method first. EAR · Heat for ear pain, and infections · Warm olive oil drops into the ear - done like any other drops, warm to body temperature by places near warm part of body…DO NOT HEAT! Garlic olive oil is even better and can be made at home or purchased in the natural foods section at the store. USE PURE VIRGIN OLIVE OIL ONLY · Essential Oil Earplug – put 1tsp body temp olive oil in a shallow small dish like a measuring cup add: 3 drops tea tree or eucalyptus, 1 drop marjoram or thyme, 2 drops lavender, swirl to mix then absorb with cotton balls and place in ear….this does enough for both ears, squeeze out excess oil. *for young children or infants use only the olive oil and lavender or just olive oil….this could also be done with the garlic oil but I have not tried that. Leave them in as long as you like and repeat as needed. JOINT/MUSCLE/PAIN · limit animal products · potassium and magnesium · swimming · yoga and tai chi · homeopathic called “Sciatica” · “Muscle Relax” by Oregon’s Wild Harvest (skullcap, valerian, hops) · Essential oils – “deep blue” “breathe” , lavender, peppermint, cypress, rosemary(with caution), marjoram…..dilute for massage oil or apply neat to target point. For additional remedies, information, and encouragement towards wellness go to by website and Blog at… www.peacefulliving.weebly.com or artistinhiding on pinterest I can make personalized mixtures and remedies as well as sell several products & ingredients including DoTerra Essential Oils and Mountain Rose Herbs When Time Keeps Slipping Away Tracie Miles
"Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." Psalm 90:10, 12 (NLT) Recently my family experienced an unexpected treat. For the first time in many months, we had the joy of a weekend with no obligations! No ballgames, no travel, no commitments—just unstructured time. Savoring my coffee Monday morning, I thought about the laughter, conversations and relaxing moments. Each had brought a peaceful feeling over my spirit and reminded of how precious the gift of time is, yet how often I take it for granted. For weeks my thoughts had been continually nudging me to do more, yet my heart had been whispering do less. At the same time I sensed Jesus calling me to rest, and spend more time with Him and my loved ones. But life had just been so busy, and other demands had screamed for my attention. I realized how I had let time slip away without investing it wisely. The Bible records the words of Moses, a man who understood the value of time. In Psalm 90, Moses recognizes the brevity of life, and the importance of making the most of the time we have been given. Perhaps Moses wrote from a place of frustration. After all, he'd watched his entire generation wander aimlessly for 40 years because they didn't trust God's promises. They kept busy with jobs, chores and responsibilities. But they apparently spent more time grumbling than getting to know God better, or enjoying the blessings and people in their lives. Many of us experience this same dilemma, wandering through daily routines and overbooked schedules. There's little time left at the end of the day to spend with Jesus or those we love. Before we know it, the days turn into years and our hearts are no wiser. We get in a rut of grumbling about troubles and busyness, while ignoring the necessity of rest and the benefits of unstructured time. I used to view "down time" as being unproductive. I would feel guilty for sitting down with a good book when the sink was full of dirty dishes, or snuggling with my children on the couch to watch a movie when I had errands to run or work to do. Yet God designed rest because our hearts, minds, bodies and spirits need it. Slowing down and paying attention to what fills our day allows us to refocus and rest. It gives us time to soak in His Word, have quiet prayer, and invest in our family. These are easy to disregard when life's too busy. Even if we're busy with good things, they may draw us away from what the Lord would have us do. As we understand the brevity of life and value our time, we'll gain a wise heart that seeks the Lord's will. Let's ask God to show us each day how He wants to fill the hours we are given. Whether He guides us to enjoy personal time, rest and relax, hang out with friends or family, study His Word, or enjoy some fun activities, if He is leading our choices, we'll find peace, contentment, and joy. Dear Lord, only You know how many breaths I have. Please help me use my time wisely, and invest it in the people and things that matter most. Help me consciously plan time for myself, my family and my faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen  So easy! and even though I wasnt sure about them at first and you may not be either....they are REALLY GOOD!! Basically make pancakes and add 4 additional eggs (this is using the betty crocker pancake recipe) You want the consistency to be somewhere in between pancake batter and raw eggs (like tempera). Mix in whatever fixings you want...I did spinage and onion. Pour in the pan and cook until botton is golden then flip. Either divide in two or use a giant spatula...as you can see mine was not quite big enough. Next time I will cover with a lid to make it cook more and become stiffer before flipping. When its golden on both sides and done in the middle, remove and let cool slightly before cutting into wedges to serve.
p.s. be prepared to make anther as you are likely to receive requests for more. HAVE FUN PLAYING WITH FIXINGS NOTE: I cook in cast iron and use the pans remaining heat and a lid to cook it all the way through. Depending on your heat level and type of pan you may need to either put a lid on and turn the heat off and let it finish...or cook on a lower heat. Traditional Medicines "Gypsy Cold Care" sold at safeway and fredmeyer.
MAKING GARLIN ONION HERB SOUP......very strong,, and just cutting everything helped. I added oregano essential oil (a natural ick killer) and rosemary essential oil; they are very concentrated so I will get a lot of bang into my system that way. Did about 6 cloves of garlic, and as always ORGANIC ONIONS!!! Organic onions are way stronger and unless you feel like eating 4x what you need to then get them organic, you can tell the difference.
SOUP FOR THE KIDS????? figured she wouldn't eat the soup as is so before I added the potatoes I took some of the sweated softened veges out and mixed them in with spaghetti sauce for her. she will get all the same goodness but with added tomatoes...can't beat that right!? BONUS....got to meals out of one so I won't get sick of soup now. Just the smell of everything cooking is helping!!! TEA TEA TEA!?!? DRINK TEA! BEST IS STUFF THAT IS SPICY...think HOLIDAY SPICES and that will help make it easy. Also LEMON AND GINGER. MAKE TINCTURES (think I am using that right) What I made was GINGER LEMON HONEY. Take lemon slices or a drop of essential oil and put it with water in a pot. I do use a 2qt saucepan, fill it half full with water, add half lemon (more as you add water since can just keeping adding after you pour a cup) and I didnt have fresh ginger so I did 1-2tsp of the jarred spice ( I do have it now and will comment how much I use, thinking about the same). Heat it like you would tea water (just before boiling) them turn if off and add as much honey as you like, at lease a couple tbls. Put a lid on a let is smolder. Then pour and drink. through a tea bag in your cup and double the goodness!! OLIVE OIL IN THE EAR FOR CONGESTION/INFECTIONS Just tried this earlier, a couple drops is all. one ear at a time like you would any drop, lay for as long as you can and massage from your ear down over your lymph nodes to help drainage. Not sure how well it has worked but seems to have relieved it a bit. Going to try GARLIC OLIVE OIL nest as a friend recommended (if you are sacred to make it I was told you can buy it in the natural med. section) Think thats all I have the energy to remember right now. March 15, 2012 I Don't Want to Raise a Good Child Lysa TerKeurst "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NIV 1984) My daughter, Hope, is a senior this year. And she decided her senior year should be adventurous and a little out of the "normal" box. A lot out of the box actually. She withdrew from traditional school. Applied with the state to homeschool. Enrolled in online college courses that would allow her to get both high school and college credit simultaneously. And planned to spend the month of January serving in Nicaragua doing missions. This didn't surprise me really. Hope has always liked charting her own course. This thrills me now. But it didn't thrill me so much in the early years of raising this strong-spirited child. When she was really little I was scared to death I was the world's worst mom, because Hope was never one to be contained. And I honestly thought all her extra tenacity was a sign of my poor mothering. One day I took her to the mall to meet several of my friends with toddlers to grab lunch. All of their kids sat quietly eating cheerios in their strollers. They shined their halos and quoted Bible verses and used tissues to wipe their notes. Not Hope. She was infuriated by my insistence she stay in her stroller. So, when I turned away for a split second to place our lunch order, she wiggled free. She stripped off all her clothes. She ran across the food court. And jumped in the fountain in the center of the mall. Really, nothing makes the mother of a toddler feel more incapable than seeing her naked child splashing in the mall fountain. Except maybe that toddler refusing to get out and said mother having to also get into the fountain. I cried all the way home. Not because of what she'd done that day. But rather because of how she was everyday. So determined. So independent. So insistent. I would beg God to show me how to raise a good child. One that stayed in her stroller. One that other people would comment about how wonderfully behaved she was. One that made me look good. But God seemed so slow to answer those prayers. So, over the years, I changed my prayer. "God help me to raise Hope to be who You want her to be." Emphasis on, "God HELP ME!" I think I changed my prayers for her because God started to change my heart. I sensed He had a different plan in mind for my mothering of Hope. Maybe God's goal wasn't for me to raise a good rule-following child. God's goal was for me to raise a God-following adult. An adult just determined and independent and insistent enough to fulfill a purpose He had in mind all along. Today's key verse reminds us we are training children so that when they are old they will not turn away from Biblical principles, but rather implement them in their life-long pursuit of God. Remember, the things that might aggravate you about your child today, might be the very things when matured that make them great for God's kingdom tomorrow. I've certainly seen this in raising Hope. I don't know what mama needs to hear this today. But let me encourage you from the bottom of my heart with three simple mothering perspectives you must hang on to: 1. Don't take too much credit for their good. 2. Don't take too much credit for their bad. 3. Don't try to raise a good child. Raise a God-following adult. And all the mamas of fountain dancing children said, "Amen!" Dear Lord, I know You desire for me to raise a God-following adult. Please give me Your wisdom as I seek to become the parent You called to this high honor. Redirect my perspectives and equip me for this task today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.  Simple lunch, quick and easy.
Tortilla or flat bread beans of anykind (I prefer blackbeans) Dont have beans? who cares, just go without. tomatoe, lettuce, onion, whatever veges you like make your dressing using yogurt, mayo, lime juice, cumin and chili pepper: DRESSING: (tip: make in a mason jar for storing extra) 1/2 c tangy yogurt (I use nancy's honey yogurt for pretty much everything) 1-2tsp lime juice, fresh is always best, do it to taste 1tsp cumin sprinkle of chili pepper to taste MIX THESE THINGS ONLY IN (NO MAYO YET!!) TEST AND TASTE ADD MAYO 1 TBLS AT A TIME until it reaches the consistency and mildness you like. TEST AND TASTE AND ADD MORE SEASONING TO YOUR LIKING....(NOTE THAT THE CHILI PEPPER WILL BECOME STRONGER AFTER THE DRESSING SITS) TACO: (i cook in cast iron using olive oil) Fry tortilla or flat bread on one side only with enough oil to coat pan. Fry until golden, remove and hold over pan to drain if needed. Move to plate, spread dressing on one half only and load toppings on top of dressing. Fold in half and enjoy!
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ArchivesJuly 2012   AuthorAn unbalanced world left me stricken with unknown health concerns and nothing but troublesome solutions to provide. Insisting to not settle, I perservered to discover new ways....each bringing some peace to what was a shaken existance. |
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