Beauty
We have distorted what beauty really is. No wonder so many girls feel like they can not live up to the images that they see in magazines or tv or wherever else. It is all fake!
Character Qualities
Over the next few weeks in our family we are going over different character qualities:
Alertness vs. Unawareness
Being aware of that which is taking place around me so I can have the right response to it (Mark 14:38)
Attentiveness vs. Unconcern
Showing the worth of a person by giving undivided attention to his words and emotions (Hebrews 2:1)
Availability vs. Self-centeredness
Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I am serving (Philippians 2:20–21)
Boldness vs. Fearfulness
Confidence that what I have to say or do is true and right and just in the sight of God (Acts 4:29)
Cautiousness vs. Rashness
Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions (Proverbs 19:2)
Compassion vs. Indifference
Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others (I John 3:17)
Contentment vs. Covetousness
Realizing that God has provided everything I need for my present happiness (I Timothy 6:8)
Creativity vs. Underachievement
Approaching a need, a task, an idea from a new perspective (Romans 12:2)
Decisiveness vs. Double-mindedness
The ability to finalize difficult decisions based on the will and ways of God (James 1:5)
Deference vs. Rudeness
Limiting my freedom in order not offend the tastes of those whom God has called me to serve (Romans 14:21)
Dependability vs. Inconsistency
Fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice (Psalm 15:4)
Determination vs. Faintheartedness
Purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s time regardless of the opposition (II Timothy 4:7–8)
Diligence vs. Slothfulness
Visualizing each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to accomplish it (Colossians 3:23)
Discernment vs. Judgment
The God-given ability to understand why things happen (I Samuel 16:7)
Discretion vs. Simplemindedness
The ability to avoid words, actions, and attitudes which could result in undesirable consequences (Proverbs 22:3)
Endurance vs. Giving up
The inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish God’s best (Galatians 6:9)
Enthusiasm vs. Apathy
Expressing with my soul the joy of my spirit (I Thessalonians 5:16,19)
Faith vs. Presumption
Visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it (Hebrews 11:1)
Flexibility vs. Resistance
Not setting my affections on ideas or plans which could be changed by God or others (Colossians 3:2)
Forgiveness vs. Rejection
Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and allowing God to love them through me (Ephesians 4:32)
Generosity vs. Stinginess
Realizing that all I have belongs to God and using it for His purposes (II Corinthians 9:6)
Gentleness vs. Harshness
Showing personal care and concern in meeting the need of others (I Thessalonians 2:7)
Gratefulness vs. Unthankfulness
Making known to God and others in what ways they have benefited my life (I Corinthians 4:7)
Hospitality vs. Loneliness
Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, and spiritual refreshment with those whom God brings into my life (Hebrews 13:2)
Humility vs. Pride
Recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life (James 4:6)
Initiative vs. Unresponsiveness
Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it (Romans 12:21)
Joyfulness vs. Self-pity
The spontaneous enthusiasm of my spirit when my soul is in fellowship with the Lord (Psalm 16:11)
Justice vs. Fairness
Personal responsibility to God’s unchanging laws (Micah 6:8)
Love vs. Selfishness
Giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward (I Corinthians 13:3)
Loyalty vs. Unfaithfulness
Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to God and to those whom He has called me to serve (John 15:13)
Meekness vs. Anger
Yielding my personal rights and expectations to God (Psalm 62:5)
Obedience vs. Willfulness
Freedom to be creative under the protection of divinely appointed authority (II Corinthians 10:5)
Orderliness vs. Disorganization
Preparing myself and my surroundings so I will achieve the greatest efficiency (I Corinthians 14:40)
Patience vs. Restlessness
Accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it (Romans 5:3–4)
Persuasiveness vs. Contentiousness
Guiding vital truths around another’s mental roadblocks (II Timothy 2:24)
Punctuality vs. Tardiness
Showing high esteem for other people and their time (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Resourcefulness vs. Wastefulness
Wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard (Luke 16:10)
Responsibility vs. Unreliability
Knowing and doing what both God and others are expecting from me (Romans 14:12)
Reverence vs. Disrespect
Awareness of how God is working through the people and events in my life to produce the character of Christ in me (Proverbs 23:17–18)
Security vs. Anxiety
Structuring my life around that which is eternal and cannot be destroyed or taken away (John 6:27)
Self-Control vs. Self-indulgence
Instant obedience to the initial promptings of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:24–25)
Sensitivity vs. Callousness
Exercising my senses so I can perceive the true spirit and emotions of those around me (Romans 12:15)
Sincerity vs. Hypocrisy
Eagerness to do what is right with transparent motives (I Peter 1:22)
Thoroughness vs. Incompleteness
Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words if neglected (Proverbs 18:15)
Thriftiness vs. Extravagance
Not letting myself or others spend that which is not necessary (Luke 16:11)
Tolerance vs. Prejudice
Acceptance of others as unique expressions of specific character qualities in varying degrees of maturity (Philippians 2:2)
Truthfulness vs. Deception
Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts (Ephesians 4:25)
Virtue vs. Impurity
The moral excellence and purity of spirit that radiate from my life as I obey God’s Word (II Peter 1:3)
Wisdom vs. Natural Inclinations
Seeing and responding to life’s situations from God’s frame of reference (Proverbs 9:10)
Our Tongue
These are just a few scripture verses on the Tongue. WOW. Read them and let them sink in. God’s word is sharp! If only we really realized the impact of our tongue. Anyone else have a scripture to add to this??
Proverbs 25:23 (New Living Translation)
23 As surely as a north wind brings rain,
so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
Proverbs 11:9 (New Living Translation)
9 With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
but knowledge will rescue the righteous.
Proverbs 16:28
28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;
gossip separates the best of friends.
Proverbs 17:9
9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Proverbs 18:8
8 Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.
Job 16:3
3 Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air?
What makes you keep on talking?
Job 13:5
5 If only you could be silent!
That’s the wisest thing you could do.
Proverbs 13:3
3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
opening your mouth can ruin everything.
The Fire
Watch the first one 1st, then the next. I don’t apologize for these. We need to get serious people!
Guidance
Dancing With God
When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing “dance” at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn’t flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and [...]
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
I got up early this morning and made the kids Pumpkin Spice Muffins. Which they love. They love anything pumpkin! This is very good with a little butter on top of each one!
Mix all these ingredients together:
1 Cup of Pumpkin
1/3 Cup of Vegetable Oil
2 eggs
1 Teaspoon of Pumpkin Spice
1/2 Teaspoon of Salt
1 Teaspoon [...]
Chili for a Rainy Day~
Chili Recipe
Brown 1 pound of hamburger, with 1 chopped onion.
**Drain fat once cooked**
Add 4 teaspoons of Chili Powder
Add 1 teaspoon of Salt
Add dash of Pepper
Add 1 Large can of diced tomatoes, I add the whole can…juice and all!
Add 1 Cup of Ketchup
Add 2 Cups of water
Add 2 Cans of Red Kidney Beans, drain the juice
Add [...]
Orzo with Vegtables
So I tired another new recipe tonight. My kids GOBBLED it all up! Definitely a win in our house, and we will be using it again for future dinners.
Boil one box of Orzo for 8 minutes…once done: drain and set aside.
While your pasta is boiling:
*Dice one clove of garlic, one shallot.
*Saute those in [...]
The Unknown
“never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God”
“Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.”
“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”
