All I've Got

Faux Wainscoting

@ Frugal Home Ideas

Innovative!

Kind of Like the Griswolds, Except with Snow

@ Rocks in My Dryer

Funny.

Eyes Wide Shut

@ Playing Sublimely

Gulp.

Moss Topiary

@ Get Your Martha On

Pretty!

Christian Bumper Stickers

@ Stuff Christians Like

Cringe.

Window Treatment Makeover

@ The Nesting Place

Mis-treatment?

I Believe

Today you get to have a quiet time with me!

Without weakening in his faith, Abraham faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.

Romans 4:19-21

Abraham faced the reality of what he could see and understand - in the natural, this was an impossible situation. I've got one of those too.

Yet... as look at what I can see and even imagine, I'm told not to 'waiver in unbelief' of the promises God has made to me. I think that means worrying, scheming, coming up with a Plan B in case I need it. How not to waiver?

* Be strengthened in my faith - by the Word

* Give glory to God - praise and worship

* So that I can be fully persuaded that God has power to
do what He has promised to me.

What He has promised in His Word to strengthen me in my faith:

• Deliverance 2 Chron 20:17
• His constant presence 2 Chron 20:17
• To hold me up 2 Chron 20:20
• Peace and rest 2 Chron 20:29-30
• Showing off His power in my life for all to see Ps 77:14
• That His purpose will be accomplished Ps 138:8, Job 42:2
• He's doing good for me Jer 32:38-41
• An inheritance that can't be touched 1 Pet 1:4
• I'm shielded by His power 1 Pet 1:5, Is 54:17
• Everything I need 2 Pet 1:3
• Making me more like Christ 2 Pet 1:4
• I'll never be put to shame 1 Pet 2:6, Is 45:11
• He'll lead and guide me Ex 15:13, Is 42:16
• His constant help and care Ps 121:1-7

Lord, I can give You glory because:

• You are faithful - Not one word of Your promises have failed!
• You are powerful - Nothing is impossible for You!
• You are wise - Everything You do is right and Your ways are just.
• You have all authority - All authorities and powers are in submission to You.
• You are good - Your love endures forever.
• You are holy - Who is like You? You are majestic in holiness!

Those truths strengthen my faith! God's Word is most definitely living and active and it always accomplishes what He intends it to do! Why do I deprive myself of how encouraging and strengthening and life-giving it is by not thinking about, praying it and declaring it all the time?

Thank You so much, Lord, for the hope and life and TRUTH in Your Word! It is how You are transforming the way I think and live. I praise You for all You've promised and for who You are!

Winter in the Garden

January in Oregon is not prime garden time.

But look what I saw in my yard today...

This one I don't know for sure... hyacinth?

Even in the dead of winter, there is always life!

See, the former things have taken place and new things I declare!
Before they spring into being I announce them to you.
Isaiah 42:9

Black Bean Taco Soup

Here's a super-easy, really good soup for a chilly day! I often use more black beans and less of another kind just because we like 'em but it's up to you.

Crock Pot Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef or turkey, cooked & drained
(don't drain anything from here on)
1 can black beans
1 can red beans
1 can chili beans
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can corn
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 pkg ranch dresing mix

Put all in a large crock pot on high for 5 hours or on low for all day. Serve topped with cheese if desired.

Links You'll Love

Coffee Sugar Cookies @ i am baker
It's not too early to think about Valentine's Day! I recently found this blog and love it! How clever to surprise your sweet woobie with a cookie for his coffee!

Acting Surprised When God Doesn't Seem Close
@ Stuff Christians Like
How am I shocked when my choices have consequences?

Rock Stars and the Rest of Us: A Parable @ Shlog
Whether you're up front or behind the scenes, what you do matters. Great insight.

Defining Organized, Clean, Sanitary, Sterile @ Home Ec 101
Which one, if any, describes your goal for housekeeping?

And by the way, who among you even knows what Home Economics is? It was required for all high school girls 'back in the day' when I was in high school and was the class where we learned to sew aprons and make cinnamon toast. My final project was making a pair of culottes (don't ask). I worked very hard (to be sure I would get an 'A' in the class) and turned them in with great pride. Then my Home Ec teacher asked me where the zipper was. She turned the waistband around and around - no zipper! Since I had put that zipper in close to ten times to be sure it was perfect, I couldn't believe it. Turns out I had put it in the bottom hem.
Would anyone like me to do any tailoring for you?
Just let me know.

Death Is Not Dying
A moving, heart-wrenching but eternal perspective. This video is almost an hour long so you'll need to set aside some time but it's well worth it!
"Rachel's story is not unlike what thousands of women around the world have experienced. A diagnosis that changes a woman's life and inevitably takes from her what we consider to be most precious. After four and a half years of vigilantly fighting breast cancer, the 37 year old wife and mother of two was diagnosed with terminal cancer. But for Rachel the essence of life is found in her relationship with God through Jesus. And that's why Rachel is convinced that death is not dying."
Rachel went home to the Lord in July 2009. She was 37 years old, wife of 10 years and mother of two.

Today in Kindergarten

I've been subbing in kindergarten this week. Here are a few of the things I heard in class today...

The arm was wrapped tightly in a winter scarf. When I was sure no bones were protruding and said the nurse wasn't in right then, the scarf came off and the owner of the broken arm decided to be an alligator at the dramatic play station.

(Said with downturned mouth and dry, rapidly blinking eyes.) When asked how long ago this terrible fence catastrophe happened, she answered happily, "When I was a baby!"

My name is Mrs. Burns. But I answer to pretty much anything! Jonah shared his fishy crackers.





And after I announced it was free center time this afternoon, this was heard from a little boy on the carpet holding two handfulls of Matchbox cars, who was tired of writing and numbers and sitting quietly...

Me too, Jay!

Links You'll Love

Snowflake Workshop:
My artistic firstborn sent me the link to this site where you can cut out your own snowflake. Really!

An Alternative to New Years Resolutions - Living A Good Story:
The author of 'Blue Like Jazz' offers a challenge to think in narrative rather than goals. Interesting.

Local Family Survives Terrorist Flight:
One of the two families adopting children from Ethiopia with YWAM who were on the NW Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. What a homecoming!

The Slop Bucket:
The place where hurts are dumped.

No More Winter Blues:
Let's join Melissa on Fridays in January for some
tips on avoiding the 'blahs' between Christmas and Spring.