A GREAT RECIPE

A GREAT RECIPE

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the
ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what
is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ‘My
purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for ______________ ‘.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is
manufactured in plants..

5.. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of
the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest
your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a College
kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to
disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

14. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey
is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years, will
this matter?’

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything – but you have to ask Him.

20. However good o r bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am
thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You’ll be
smiling before you know it.

I received this in an email and it was too good to just delete.

 

“Moore” Monday

AS LONG AS THE SUN COMES
UP IN THE MORNING, GOD
WILL KEEP OFFERING TO
DELIVER HIS CHILDREN.

Lord, God, just as Your children the Israelites
were chosen out of all the peoples on the
face of the earth to be Your people, Your
treasured possession, I believe that we, the body of
Christ, have been too.
You did not set Your affection on Your
children and choose us because we were more 
numerous than other peoples.  It was because 
You loved us that You redeemed us from
slavery and from the power of the enemy.
Help me to know with certainty that You,
the Lord my God, are indeed God–the
faithful God, keeping Your covenant of love to
a thousand generations of those who love You 
and keep Your commands (Deut. 7:6-9).

Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day 

 

 

Indiana Friends

FRIENDS   VS     INDIANA   FRIENDS

FRIENDS: Never ask for food.

INDIANA   FRIENDS : Always bring the food .

 

FRIENDS: Will say ‘hello’.

INDIANA   FRIENDS : Will give you a big hug and a kiss .

 

FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. And Mrs.

INDIANA   FRIENDS : Call your parents Mom and Dad .

 

FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.

INDIANA   FRIENDS : Cry with you .

 

FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.

INDIANA   FRIENDS : Will spend hours there, talking,  

Laughing, and just being together .

 

FRIENDS: Know a few things about you .

INDIANA   FRIENDS : Could write a book with direct quotes from you .

 

FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.

INDIANA   FRIENDS : Will kick the whole crowds’ back-ends that left you .

 

FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.

INDIANA   FRIENDS : Walk right in and say, ‘I’m home!’

 

FRIENDS: will visit you in jail.

INDIANA   FRIENDS : will spend the night in jail with you .

 

FRIENDS: will visit you in the hospital when you’re sick

INDIANA   FRIENDS : will cut your grass and clean your house  

Then come spend the night with you in the hospital  

And cook for you when you come home .

 

FRIENDS: have you on speed dial

INDIANA   FRIENDS : have your number memorized .

   

FRIENDS: Are for a while.

INDIANA   FRIENDS : Are for life .

 

How to know where Grace lives

The following excerpt is by Angela Thomas Guffey, from her book Tender Mercy for a Mother’s Soul.

• All the neighborhood kids want to hang out at the house where grace lives.
• There is always enough for one more where grace lives…one more for dinner…one more to sleep over…one more hug or kiss.
• You can see people dancing where grace lives.
• You can hear things like “please forgive me, I was wrong…  You are my treasure…”
• The eyes of the children where grace lives shine with joy and anticipation.  They have not been wounded by impossible expectations.  They have not been distanced by rejection.  They have been embraced and accepted and loved.
• The moms at the house where grace lives are just regular, everyday moms, but God lives inside them.  By His power, they are becoming holy and righteous and good.  They stumble but recover quickly.  They make mistakes but say, “I’m sorry.”  They get blown by the winds of heartache and adversity, but their hearts remain tender toward God. 

 

Confession

I’ve become addicted to Facebook, and that’s where I’ve been spending my time.  My blog has suffered long enough. 

Does this count as a post?

 

Calling all parents

There’s a war going on in my house.  A war over a video game.  A video game that should not be on the market in the first place!  I’m tired of this argument, and I’m worn out from the length of it, but I will NOT change my mind. 

My 10 year old son wants Grand Theft Auto, because all of his friends have it.  (Not really all, I’ve talked to some moms!)  I’m sure that a few of them do have it, or their older siblings have it and they’ve played it.  But if everyone jumped off a bridge…..well, ya know what I mean!

When he first brought up the subject, I immediately had no in my head.  I’ve heard all the stories, but told him that dad and I would check it out and give him an answer.  Honestly, I was just going to tell Brian he wanted it, and then tell Zach no.  Well, Zach bugged us continually.  He wanted the game that night.  (Instant Gratification world!)  Brian said he really didn’t think it would be worse than watching TV, so he didn’t oppose, but my argument was that we have control over what we allow into this house.  If we bring it in, then we are endorsing it, and everything in it.  So Zach comes in again as I’m cooking dinner, and I tell him no because it’s an inappropriate game.  Zach goes ballistic with a huge ugly temper tantrum, which just shows him maturity level!  At that point Brian steps in and says that we’ve decided and that’s the end of it. 

It was the end of it until the next day when Zach comes home from school saying one particular game used to be rated T and they changed it to M for no reason.  He had many arguments for me, so I finally said I would talk to the people at GameStop and see what they said.  Now I was hoping to get someone honest, who truly cared about the youth of the world, but I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t.  After a few more days of bugging, we went to gamestop.  I asked the clerk, a very nice young man, and he told me he wouldn’t recommend the game to anyone.  He went on to say that they should be rated adults only, as they have prostitutes and lots of sex in them.  Once again, Zach was mad at me, because I don’t think he’s mature enough.  I told him that it has nothing to do with his age, because I don’t think a 50 year old should have the game!  I don’t think the game should be on the market.  It’s a video game, marketed to kids, with content listed as blood and gore, intense violence, strong language, nudity, strong sexual content, and use of drugs and alcohol.  WHY? 

I found two very good websites to help with the ratings decision. ESRB was an easy to navigate site, and Common Sense Media was written for parents.  I actually found this next info on common sense media. 

Your kid has access: 87% of boys under 17 have played an M-rated video game, and only 1% say their parents have ever stopped them from playing one. A recent investigation found that children as young as 9 were able to purchase M-rated games containing violent and sexually explicit content in nearly five out of 10 attempts. And games are everywhere: Video games are now present in 83% of homes with children. Eight- to 10-year-olds play an average of 65 minutes a day. Most games are violent; 94% of T-rated games contain violence. I was telling a friend about this encounter, and she said her son wanted the game too.  She also went to a store and asked if the game was appropriate, and was told that there’s a very easy way to pick up a girl, rape her in the back seat, beat her up and kill her graphically, and receive bonus points for doing it.  I am so appalled by this! 

We need to be informed about what is marketed to our kids.  M means Mature, and I don’t think 17 is mature enough for this game.  It’s marketed by Rock Star Games, and I’m going to be contacting them with my thoughts.  I urge you to be aware of what you allow to come into your home, and influence your kids.  It’s so easy to just say yes because you’re too busy. 

 

“Moore” Monday

  

PRAYERLESSNESS IS THE MOST
PROHIBITIVE OBSTACLE IN THE ROAD
TO A BELIEVER’S VICTORY, NO MATTER
WHAT OUR SPECIFIC PURSUIT MAY BE.

I call on You, O God, for You will answer
me.  Give ear to me and hear my prayer.  Show
the wonder of Your great love, You who save by
Your right hand those who take refuge in You
from their foes.  Keep me as the apple of Your
eye.  Hide me in the shadow of our wings (PS. 17:6-8).
Show me Your ways, O Lord.  Teach me
Your paths.  Guide me in Your truth and teach
me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is
in You all day long. 
Remember Your great mercy and love, for
they are from of old.  Remember not the sins
of my youth and my rebellious ways.  Instead,
remember me according to Your love, for You
are good, O Lord (Ps. 25:4-7).

Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day

 

“Moore” Monday

 WE CAN BE MISERABLY DISSATISFIED
IF WE ACCEPT CHRIST’S SALVATION YET
REJECT THE FULLNESS OF DAILY
RELATIONSHIP THAT SATISFIES.

Do not withhold Your mercy from me,
O Lord.  May Your love and Your truth always
protect me (Ps. 40:11).  Help me to learn how
much Your truth protects me, Father.  Without
it, I am vulnerable to the enemy and to my own
flesh nature.
O God, send forth Your light and Your
truth into my life.  Let them guide me; let them
bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place
where You dwell (Ps. 43:3).
Surely You desire truth in my inner parts.
You teach me wisdom in the inmost place (Ps.
51:6).  Please expose to me the deeply embedded
lies I’ve believed, Lord, and replace them
with permanently engraved truth. 

Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day

 

Winter Jam

On Friday, Brooke and I drove to Columbus Ohio.  We had a nice dinner at Applebee’s, then crashed out in our cheap motel.  Saturday brought a temperature of 24 with a wind chill of 13.  It was cold… and we stood outside the Schottenstein for 2 1/2 hours, waiting in line for good seats to see the Winter Jam artists.  It was a bonding experience as we were huddled together under a blanket, but it was soooo worth it!  We ended up with 10th row seats, so we had an awesome view.  We saw Stephanie Smith, Pure NRG, Francesca Battistelli, NewSong, Barlow Girls, Brandon Heath and TobyMac.  It was an amazing time, and over 2000 people dedicated their lives to Christ.  Brooke and I are sponsoring a little boy from Korea, through Holt International.  We were on our feet dancing the whole time, it was so much fun!! 

When it was over, we made our way around the concourse, and Brooke got Francesca and Stephanies’ autograph, and we even took a pic with Stephanie.  We also bought Francesca’s CD, and it plays continuously in the car now. 

We needed to be back by 3 am, as we had signed up for an hour of prayer at the church, so I took it slow coming home.  Brooke was able to sleep a little bit too.  We still got to church about an hour early, so we just went in and waited for our turn. 

It was our first time in the Prayer Room, and it was amazing.  There’s a large wooden cross on the end wall, and pillows on the floor in front of it.  There are chairs and benches too, but I sat on the floor, right in front of the cross.  Brooke sat in the corner to my left. 

The hour flew by.  It really seemed like it had been 10 minutes, but I could tell because my voice was hoarse from talking.  It was a wonderful experience, and it was just richer to share it with Brooke.  I can hardly wait to do it again.

 

“Moore” Monday

 

YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE. 
YOU DON’T HAVE TO
DO IT GOD’S WAY.  BUT
I’LL PROMISE YOU THIS:
THERE IS NO HIGH
LIKE THE MOST HIGH.

Lord, according to Your Word, after King
Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his
downfall.  He was unfaithful to the Lord his
God (2 Chron. 26:16).
Your Word also tells of the time that King
Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart,
as did the people of Jerusalem.  Therefore, the
Lord’s wrath did not come upon them during
the days of Hezekiah (2 Chron. 32:26).
Please help me, Lord, not to allow pride
to be my downfall.  Thank You for forgiving me
when I repent of the pride of my heart. 
Truly, Your eyes are on the haughty to
bring them low, but You, my Lord and my
God, save the humble (2 Sam. 22:28).

Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day

 

I must confess…

 I had a birthday this month, and I am now officially old.  I feel it, and I have the grey hair to prove it.  36 is the big one for me!  ( I really don’t think I should have grey hair, but I do!) 

The day went well for me though.  Matthew made it seem like a national holiday.  I am just thankful that God has blessed me with another birthday!

 

Dr. Phil

I don’t normally watch Dr Phil, but I turned on the tv and that’s what was on.  It’s all about Teens engaging in outragous trends.  The first thing I saw was a boy who had 48,000 text messages in a month.  My question is, when can he find this much time???  Whatever.

Now they’re interviewing the parents of a 12 year old girl who has been “sexting”.  Sending very inappropriate photos of herself, and lewd texts as well.  Now this exact thing has happened with one of the girls that I spoke of in my post crying and curfews.  My initial thought was to keep Brooke away from her, then I decided that I pray for Godly friends for Brooke, and maybe she is supposed to be the Godly influence for this girl.  After watching this, and what happened this weekend, I am deciding that my daughter is not going to be put at risk by me to provide a good girl experience for someone else.  I cannot allow it.  Brooke is not strong enough right now to stand up for herself. 

What is going on in this world???  satan, you will not win!  You may have reign over this earth right now, but you will not win.  Jesus will!

 

crying and curfews

I have a 12 year old who thinks she’s 20.  Apparently this is a problem amongst many of her friends.  Friday, Brooke and 3 of her friends wanted to go to the movies.  I checked the listing, and the PG movie they wanted to see was on at 7:15 pm.  No problem!  Now there was an incident in the past where these kids were dropped off at the movies with no parental supervision, and trouble ensued.  Brian and I had discussed that this would not happen again.  A chaperone must always attend with them. 

Brooke calls me and tells me they have decided to go to the 9:45 showing, and I promptly tell her no.  The movie was and hour and a half, so that would mean being out until 11:30, and I am not OK with that.  She started giving me attitude, and I reminded her that she is 12, and I didn’t have that late of a curfew until I was a junior in high school.  (Thanks Mom for telling me I was actually a Senior!)  Well, she hung up on me, then called me back and told me they would go to the earlier show.  I said OK, and that I would take them and stay.  That didn’t go over well with her, as everyone gets dropped off.  everyone!!!  Again, I had to remind her of the last time that happened, and if she wanted to go, this was the only option.  She was not happy with me, there were tears, and the silent treatment.  She was embarassed, and it didn’t help that one of her friends was teasing her for me going along. 

When we arrived at the theater, the movie they wanted to see was sold out.  We ended up watching Marley and Me, which is a good movie, but I think it should be PG 13!  Before we sat down, me in the front, them in the back, Brooke told me they were gonna stay for the 9:45 showing too.  I said NO.  Tears again…..

When Marley and Me was over, I walked out and called one of the parents to let them know what was going on and see how they felt about staying.  They were fine with their child staying unsupervised and being out until 11:30, so Brooke and I left.  Brooke felt so bad about the way she had behaved, so she was crying again and apologizing to me.  I was hurt and angry at the same time.  Why does my child get teased because I love her and am trying to protect her???  Why are parents allowing this?  The theater was over run with middle schoolers, and there were no parents.  I just don’t understand it.  If you need a break, hire a babysitter for your kids.  Don’t just drop them off at the mall or movies and let them be a nuisance to others.  These kids are too young to be responsible and mature at all times. 

I had to tell Brooke not to ask me to do something with these kids again.  They cannot be trusted, and peer pressure is too easy to cave in to.  I’m probably going to lose a friend over this too, but my daughter is more important to me.

 

A single tear

Zach sat alone in the chair Sunday morning with a single tear rolling down his cheek.  He wanted daddy to go to church with us.  I tried to explain to him that we can’t pressure him, and to just have faith.  So we went without him, and had an amazing time.  Zach decided that he wants to be baptized, sometime before he turns 11, which is in July.  This is such a blessing to me, something that I’ve been praying for! 

This is a new church that we started attending last month.  We really liked it, except for one thing.  They only serve communion once a month, and I’m used to taking it weekly.  Brooke actually came up with the idea that we could take our own communion at home together, on the weeks that church doesn’t serve it.  The congregation is younger, the music is more contemporary, and the praise band is rocking!  The pastor is so down to earth, and his knowledge of the Bible and scripture is really impressive.  His sermons always seem to hit right on target.  Brian attended once, but we know he’ll return again. 

Anyway, the church is having a marriage conference that I signed up for, and I also joined a Life Group.  I decided that I can no longer put my spiritual growth on the backburner while I wait for Brian.  I need to grow!

Brooke and I also signed up for an hour of prayer, at an unconventional time, 3 am Sunday morning.  We’ll actually be coming home from something BIG.  I am so excited for this hour!

 

The Rest of the Story

Paul Harvey and Prayer


Paul Harvey says:

This is the United States of America , a country founded on Christian principles.  

One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don’t think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world’s foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights.  Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep.   Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing.  Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.

God, help us.  And if that last sentence of fends you, well, just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long.  It’s time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn’t care what they want.  It is time that the majority rules!  It’s time we tell them, You don’t have to pray; you don’t have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don’t have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away.  We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!

God bless us one and all … Especially those who worship Him , God bless America, despite all her faults.  She is still the greatest nation of all.   God bless our military who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.

Let’s make 2009 the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions .. And our military forces come home from all the wars.

Keep looking up.

 

You have our attention Lord…

Our friends lost their house
The co-worker lost her job
The couple next door lost their retirement
It seems that everyone is losing their footing

This scares us. This bailout with billions.
These rumblings of depression.
These headlines: ominous, thunderous-
“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What Next?”

What is next?

We’re listening. And we’re admitting: You were right.

You told us this would happen.
You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.
Greed will break your heart, you warned.
Money will love you and leave you.
Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.

You were right. Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.

We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have,
Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor,
Wrong to think we ever earned a dime. We didn’t. You gave it. And now, tell us Father, are you taking it?

We’re listening. And we’re praying.
Could you make something good out of this mess?

Of course you can. You always have.
You led slaves out of slavery,
Built temples out of ruins,
Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.

This disorder awaits your order. So do we.

Through Christ,
Amen

 

A puppy story

We’ve been on baby (puppy) watch since the weekend, and Wednesday night it finally happened.  It started around 7pm, and she was done at 11:30.  Everything went very well for the first litter, especially since there are four puppies and the momma is such a small girl. 

At this point we think they’re all girls, and they are all adorable!  The first one was all white, the second one is a milk chocolate color, third one looks like momma with black spots and brown on her face, and the last one is the biggest, and she’s mostly black with some white on her face, tummy and tail.  They are named, in the above order, coco, munchi, rocky, and pebbles. 

As soon as Munchi came out, I said she was mine.  Her color is so different, and it turns out she’s the runt.  When all the other girls get in there to nurse, she gets knocked aside.  It’s so hard to watch, so I’ve been sleeping on the floor in Brooke’s room, making sure that munchi gets her share.  (Did I mention that they feed every 40 to 60 minutes?) Yeah, little tired here, but nothing’s gonna happen on my watch! 

I bought some puppy formula and have tried to feed her a couple of times, but she’s not interested, yet.  She is able to nurse on Momma when I help her though, so I’ll keep on helping. 

 

Cheerleading

I just watched something on the Doctors about the dangers of cheerleading.  Let me tell you, every single time I see my baby girl thrown up into the air and rely on 3 other girls to catch her, I pray!  I cringe and hold my breath until she is safely walking back.  I think I must be crazy to let her do this, because any fool can tell you the dangers of it. 

What no one talks about is the emotional dangers from cheerleading.  Some of these girls are just mean.  If you’ve seen the movie “Mean Girls”, with Lindsay Lohan, you’ll know what I mean.  This has been an emotionally taxing year, and it’s only half over.

 

Friends

The other night I get a text from my friend Stacy.  “Call me if you can”.

So I immediately call.  She says she just wanted to tell me she loves me!  Her mother in law is getting ready to lose her best friend to cancer, and they were talking about their relationship.  Even though you don’t see each other often, each of you knows that you can count on the other to be there when you need it. 

I love you too Stacy!  You are my sister by choice, and I am blessed to have you in my life!

 

Whatever You’re Doing

Sometimes God gives me messages through songs, and after this week of partially fasting, this is what I got.  I woke up Thursday morning singing this song, not really sure why, but I was.  Then when I went out to start the car, it was playing on the radio.  It was then that I really listened to the words. 

He is up to something.  He is refining me, and I need it.  It will be HEAVENLY!