by tascha
A great post I read this morning:
Perspective can always adopt gratitude
~ ~ ~
and gratitude always parents joy.
by tascha |
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea…But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. I Corinthians 10:1-6 [portions]
We probably all know the story of the nation of Israel leaving Egypt and their subsequent wilderness wanderings. Paul tells us that we can learn from their decisions make centuries ago. They were our examples. They {the Israelites} were baptized, and ate spiritual meat, and drank of the Rock which was Christ {verses2-4}, but yet they went astray and lusted after evil things-which are described in the verses following. And again in verse 11 we are told that they are an example of what not to do.
A thought that struck me was this: do I see people who claim to be saved being led astray and mock them and their “christianity” or do I see them as an example to me to learn how NOT to lust after evil things as they also lusted?
[a side note: we should always be in prayer for those we see going astray and confront them Biblically when necessary, love them always, but we should never condemn them on impulse.]
Then another thought came to me that was even more convicting: What am I an example of to others? Do I show others what the rewards are of living a life consecrated to God? Or am I an example that others should heed of the consequences of lusting after evil things?
the evil things listed
in verses 7-10 include:
idolatry {what is getting in my way of serving God with my whole being}
tempting Christ {do I test His goodness through taunting}
murmurings {do I complain or whine when a situation seems impossible or even is just a little different than I desire}
For today: Let my actions for today be as such that those around me {namely, my children} will see the rewards of a life lived for God and also that the one I was made to help {my man} can benefit from those rewards!
by tascha |
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. I Corinthians 9:14
We ALL know {and I’m talking to believing ladies here} that we are to preach the gospel and teach all nations and be witnesses, but do we live of the gospel?
If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior then our job is to preach/teach the gospel to others. To be a witness of what we know to be true-Jesus can save and change a person. BUT, do we live of the gospel? Of meaning “route, progression, procedure, program or curriculum.” Is the gospel our ROUTE? Is it our PROCEDURE in life? Have we made the study of it our PROGRAM or CURRICULUM?
On those days when I am ‘stuck’ at home and do not come in contact with anyone besides my own children, who have heard the gospel many times already, I tend to feel as though there is no part of witnessing I can do. But on the contrary, there is much I can do. I SHOULD do, but often {always} fall short of doing.
I need to LIVE OF THE GOSPEL:
It should be the route {path to a specific destination} and procedure {set of steps taken} I take in my chores {have you ever asked God what needs to be done first? me either}.
It should be THE study of my life: be on my lips continually as I instruct the precious souls in my care each day.
For today: I am asking the Lord to guide my thoughts to remember His love for me when dealing with my children.
by tascha
While perusing the link-up over at Raising Homemakers I came across two particular posts that I would like to share with you. There are many great posts over there. So, check it out for yourself!
post 1: Being a partner vs Being a helpmeet by Anne at I Live in an Ant bed.
I have also read the book she recommends, and it helped cement some things in my own heart about what it means to be the wife God created me to be. Anne shares her heart here. Thank you, Anne.
post 2: Are You Distracted & Distant or Making Your Home A Haven? by Courtney at Women Living Well. She is taking the month of October and suggesting a different area of our lives each week that we can focus on to make our home a haven for our family – this post is the first week. I often light a candle-especially during the fall and winter months. But I am working to incorporate saying a prayer for my family each time I notice the flame. What a wonderful idea! Thank you, Courtney.
by tascha
inevitably, you are saying “NO” to another. {and vice versa}
This is a principle my preacher has taught… If you say “yes” to God, you are saying “no” to the world. If you say “yes” to the world, you are saying “no” to God.
That is just the way it goes.
You cannot have both.
when I said “yes” to him…. I said “no” to ALL others!
really.
you can’t.
I will leave you with this last thought (which is actually the thought that started this for me-lol): Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love. {written to the church at Ephesus, as a reprimand}
In the margin of my Bible I have written: left: a conscious decision NOT an accident.
This church was not doing their good deeds out of love for their Lord. It had become tradition instead of ministry.
And so it is with anything we choose to do each day. If I say “yes” to giving in and speaking harshly when upset then I say “no” to teaching my girls how to respond in a Christ-like manner.
If I say “no” to spending time with those people {acquaintance, friend, co-worker, whomever} whose attitude creates bitterness or complaining in my own heart, then I say “yes” to reaching for those who uplift me {and, in turn, I pray that I can uplift them and others!}
But it wasn’t an accident.
There was likely one or two little decisions made that seemed good, but were not made in faith (asking God for His guidance). Thus, this conscious decision NOT to pray about something {or follow God’s leading however} led to their church as a whole leaving the first works {read verse 5} — thou has left thy first love.
9 1/2 years later….
As a challenge to myself, I am CONSCIOUSLY asking God to help me remember that He, indeed, wishes to be part of my everyday life… down to how I respond to spilt milk. And when I say “YES” to His direction…. I am saying “NO” to the folly that will creep in and fill my day otherwise.
{I knew these principles before and have applied them… but every so often I need that kick… you know where… to bring me back. again.}
anyone else there with me?
by tascha
Well, 2 posts in one day.
don’t expect it to happen very often.
*SMILES*
I call this “Far East {inspired} Pasta” because I am not entirely sure if you could actually label it “Chinese” or “Japanese” or anything, really. It has asian flavors: teriyaki & soy sauce, but could be used with Thai flavors or even Americanized with BBQ sauce. And, when it’s made with just vegetables, it is made almost too quickly for pictures (but, really, I didn’t think about posting it ’til it was done).
Recipe:
1 lb. spaghetti noodles
1 bag frozen mixed ‘stir fry’ veggies
1 tsp cooking oil
1/2 c favorite teriyaki sauce
2 Tbsp soy sauce + 1/4 c cold water
1 Tbsp corn starch
1/2 – 3/4 c starchy water reserved from the pasta
1 egg
~ cook pasta according to package directions, but about 1 min. short of the ‘al dente’ cooking time, reserve 1/2 c of the water before draining ~ put the pasta back in its pot
~ heat oil in skillet, dump in frozen veggies
~ allow veggies to cook until completely thawed & then crack the egg in the middle and stir till scrambled
~ add teriyaki sauce and soy sauce, turn heat to low at this point
~ mix corn starch & cold water to make a slurry
~ add pasta water, then add the slurry
~ pour veggies and sauce over the pasta and allow to sit over low heat for 5 min to thicken the sauce
~ serve!
garnish with toasted sesame seeds, add meat if you desire, change asian flavors for BBQ sauce or Italian dressing… or not.
I often neglect thinking about supper until it is quite late in the afternoon so these type suppers abound. Really, though, the only thing missing that would have been added had I thought about it earlier is some beef- which needs thawing first.
Right now, I am praising the Lord that my husband even has a job. And we don’t have to live on beans and rice-nothing against beans or rice, we have them frequently, too. But variety is the spice of life, right?
Also, I am enjoying the relative quiet and sweet chatter of sisters playing nicely. together. and I love knowing they will eat this. willingly.
God is only good.
