Just give me Jesus

CHECK!!! Thank you for doing this!!

Posted in THE HOMESTEAD
I sent out a cry for help and whamo! Answers!!

I am going to keep a running tab on this entry of my answers. Thanks so much!!

This is what prodded me to think yesterday morning.......

Here is the first step:

For us, check!
We are sitting on 5 acres. We have a veggie garden. We will be cutting a ton of wood to keep the propane costs down. Debt is almost totally eliminated (except the mortgage). In one month, we will be debt free. So we are headed in the right direction there.....

More to come.

06:47 - Monday, October 6, 2008 - comments {0}


LOOKING FOR LADIES THAT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!!!

Posted in THE HOMESTEAD
Ladies

There are a few blogs on there that have amazing information on 'stocking up' and 'being frugal'.

For the novice, or the person who just stumbles onto this site for the first time..........
Is there some place, or does someone have an archive that gives a super simple, step by step way of preparation?

Example:

1)Start stocking ____, then stock ____.
2) Buy this
3) Purge that
4) Store it in this

Kinda like a "12 step program" lay out.

I want to be prepared for my family of 5, and more. I have dear friends who do not take any of this serious, and I want to have more than enough..........

Thanks so much for your help!!!!

08:48 - Sunday, October 5, 2008 - comments {4}


Have you ever gotten to that place???

Have you ever "arrived at that place"?
You know when you really sit down, and say:
"I am so sick of me.......I am ready to go in a different direction"

Let me explain with an example.

We home school. Ok, doesn't make us special, or give us rights. It's what the Lord led us to do, and we do it. He directed us to the "type or style" that we use, and it is good. I can't type enough words what a blessing it is to have my kids home.........

Ok
Now, when we first started, I thought anyone who didn't home school the way I did, was doing it wrong. Their way just wasn't logical or didn't make sense. When we first stated, I felt like I needed to tell anyone who asked the WHOLE story on how we came to this decision. I felt compelled to let everyone know Scriptures.
(You can see where I am going with this)
Yeah, I talked...........a lot.
So I can see why so many people were like, "Woooo dang lady shut up"!! HA HA.......
Now, here it is 6 years later.
When someone says "YOU HOMESCHOOL" (and I think a lot of it is because I have 3 high schoolers) I just say "yes we do".
When they ask questions, my answers are short, and sweet.
The smile on my face and the words that come out of my mouth (the few that do are, "I am so thankful for this time with my kids / I love these teen age years / We are so blessed") are my living example.

I am sick of myself insomuch.......I am sick of being "right".

I can look at someone that rides a loud motorcycle, bearded and in full leathers the same way I can look at someone in a dress with her hair up in a bun and no make up on her face.

I am really starting to get my arms around this verse:

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

11  Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,
12  so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.


The more I read this I think the more I get it.
Something really struck me last night at work...............

We have a guest that comes in. He is very, very gay.
One of the gals at work says: I could totally change clothes in front of him and never worry that he would look at me 'like that'.
After much contemplation as to how I would say this, I said.........

God created man and woman. He created woman for man.
It is how we were knit together.
So-in-so has chosen a different lifestyle, but that doesn't change how he was created.
I would not change in front of him because deep within the fiber he was knit..............he is still, a man.

She was pretty blown away.
Really so was I.
I don't say smart things like that.

But it's sat with me.........
This man has chosen everything there is under the sun, against God. I didn't stand there and condemn him. I didn't point out all his sins, his faults, and so on.
God showed me HIS Magesty. His Creation.
And His Compassion.
Not tolerance.
But compassion.
And He shut my mouth.
I didn't spout off 100 Scriptures showing how wrong he was. I didn't get up on my Holy High Horse and slay him with my "sword of the Spirit" or bludgeon him or his choices with The Holy Bible.

I am coming to the place where I am sick of my self, my wants, my way, my rights, my my my my my my my................
I'll let you know when I arrive, and what the new place is like!!!

08:05 - Sunday, October 5, 2008 - comments {2}


Whew...........it's Sunday!!

Posted in THE HOMESTEAD
First, let me say, that my daughter made me a cake (took 2 days) but oooo la la it is THE best cake I have ever eaten..........ever.
It's called The Ultimate Coconut Cake.
It weighs about 12 pounds when it's complete.
It's not for dieters, and it's expensive...............
But oh baby.

I can see why God said, "you may work for 6 days, but on the 7th you must rest". Wow am I pooped.

I must get my calendar under control.
Right now, it's controlling me, and I don't like it. Not one bit.
I need to sit down and plan this week out.......
I need a big sack of money to fall out of the sky too!! HAHAHHAH

It's getting colder, fast, so I need to get moving :-(

07:38 - Sunday, October 5, 2008 - comments {2}


It's a good day............

Posted in BEING HEALTHY
It's a good day............

Even though I am covered head to toe in some sort of insane allergic reaction that is making me want to itch,

Even though I am barley keeping my head above water in this "so called" economy,

Even though I am one year older, and one day closer to death.........

It's a good day.
Why??

I woke up. I am breathing.
I sat up. My spine works.
I walked to the bathroom. My legs work.
I put on a warm shirt. I have a roof over my head and clothes on my back.
I made coffee. I have luxuries.
I am going to the dr this am. I have health care. And I have $ to pay the co-pay. I have a car to drive and gas in it.

All this, before 8:00 am.

Our refinance went thru perfectly, over the phone. They will come out and close this week. Its the breathing room, we needed.
Thank you Lord.

It's gonna be a good day "even though"!!!!


07:36 - Saturday, October 4, 2008 - comments {0}


People are freaked out..............

Posted in THE HOMESTEAD
I worked last night, and the restaurant was packed. Good for boss, good for me!!

The hot topic of conversation was the bail out, wall street, and our government.

People, are scared.

It is a blessing that I am not formally educated. I don't understand a thing they are saying, therefore, I am not under the stress or pressure. But here's what came to my mind:

All the gals who put away food, who stock their pantries, who sew their own clothes, raise their own livestock...........
kudos to them!
This is their reward!! Right now everyone is freaked out..........
But those who chose a simplier path, are Blessed!!

So Blessed!!!


07:58 - Thursday, October 2, 2008 - comments {4}


The Communist Manifesto.............

I know I know everyone is sick of politics.
Me too

I know we all like to be educated. None of us like to speak of things we know nothing about, and act like we are an authority.....
I know we are all pretty level headed gals, who just want truth.

Give this a read. It's the Communist Manifesto

Pay special attention to this section:

Nevertheless, in most advanced countries, the following will be pretty generally applicable.

1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.

2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.

3. Abolition of all rights of inheritance.

4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.

5. Centralization of credit in the banks of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly.

6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the state.

7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the state; the bringing into cultivation of waste lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.

8. Equal obligation of all to work. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.

9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of all the distinction between town and country by a more equable distribution of the populace over the country.

10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labor in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production, etc.

Now being the smart gals that we are........go to each candidates website and search. Do you see any similarities in their idea's and the ideas of Karl Marx?

Educate yourself, and you decide!!


02:28 - Wednesday, October 1, 2008 - comments {2}


In a crazy good mood!

It started yesterday afternoon.

Last night at work, boss was in a good mood. Trained a new gal. Restaurant had a good business last night. I made HUGE head way on an even huger (if that's a word) project while I was at work.
Came home, showed my dh my project, he's pleased.
He got a project done for me that I could not do myself. That is good. I will take care of the rest of it's needs today.

So I made progress yesterday.

I worked on my Bible study. One of the questions had me digging in Scripture for what *I* thought was silly.......but some of the questions they ask or 'lead us to think' are pretty silly!!

Picked up a shift for tonight. Big party that is going to be HIGH MAINTENANCE. This woman............shewww weeeeeee. Should be good money though, so it will all be worth it in the end.

Hopefully I can get in the garden today and pick off all the ripe tomatoes. Get those canned up tomorrow.

I wish I knew when my eggplants were 'done'. I won't grow those again. To difficult.

It's October. I can't believe it's October.

06:23 - Wednesday, October 1, 2008 - comments {1}


I wonder what it would be like if............

I wonder what it would be like if I got up just one day and:

I had no stress. No stress at all.
I had energy, joy, strength, and enthusiasm for everything I did.
I had clear cut direction, all day long.
I didn't have to deal with difficult people.
I could accomplish all the tasks the day had to offer, with joy!

I just wonder what that would be like.
I'd probably keel over with a heart attack, or think I was abducted by aliens! ha ha

*deep sigh* Oh well.......on with my day!!

09:11 - Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - comments {0}


Interesting tips for milk jugs!

Posted in THE KITCHEN

35+ Uses for Plastic Milk Jugs
You'll love these clever ideas for plastic containers

08:23 - Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - comments {0}


Sticky situation

I have come to the conclusion that I don't like people.
But, I love working in the public.

Huh?

I will try to make some sense.......

I have had it with people.

Situation one:
The whole stupid deal with my boss.
How insane is that.
And that is not the first time that has happened, and trust me, it will happen again. It has repeated itself over and over for 5 years.
Can't quit. Would starve. Can't change jobs, my schedule is pretty wacko, and no one would work with my availability. Money is good.
Stuck.

Situation two:
Family
Tomorrow we will have my BIL and SIL and their two kids over.
The kids are thieves. We have to lock the house down when the come over or they will take it. My SIL is a know it all gossip. My BIL is harsh and hateful with an explosive temper (towards their kids).
Why do I have to have them over? Why do I invite them? They never invite us.........I am miserable the day before and the day they are here? Why can't I for real say, enough, no more?

Situation three:
Parents who participate in organized anything. Boy Scouts, Sports, Clubs......you name it. Anything that a group of kids participate in and the parents are involved.
I have a project. This is the second year I have handled it.
Now someone wants to micro manage. I don't think so. I have another that wants ME to do it THEIR way. Still, don't think so. I am putting in the man hours. I know what I am doing.
Why do people feel the need to be that way?
THEN you get parents who ask the same question over and over and over, hoping you will give them a different answer.......
Whatever. Knock it off.

Situation four:
I've got a heifer commenting anonymously on my other blog. Super hateful stuff. She needs to get a hobby. Goodness. If I were to meet her in real life, I'd give her a big hug and tell her, I know what it's like to be ate up with anger........start letting it go, it will devour you!!

Situation five:
Bible Study.
I am stuck there. I can't move.
I am so upset. I want to be with the older ladies, but the "Powers that Be" will not move me. They said "God put these groups together". Funny how God grouped us by our age, and the ages of our children. Funny how God's Word is clear in Titus 2 how to teach and NONE of the groups look like that. Funny huh? Not really.

SO really, I am having people problems.
This where I sit back and say:
"What can I do better? Where am I part of or the cause of this problem?"
I ask my kids, my dh, my gf.........HEY What am I doing wrong.
They all say: "Hanging out with the wrong crowd". HA HA.

I have just had it with people.
I see why people head for the hills, get a lot of animals, and steer clear of the human population.

08:51 - Saturday, September 27, 2008 - comments {1}


Both sides

The Good on Thursday:

Got the living room clean cleaned. Kids cleaned the back hallway.
Got phone calls made, Pictures enlarged, Dinner started, and made good money at work.

The Bad on Thursday:

Read this slowly.........because you're never going to believe it.
Wednesday I have Bible study in the am.
I turn my cell on buzz so it doesn't go off in the church.
*Dan* (names changed to protect the innocent) calls and leaves a message. He is sick and wants me to cover his shift. I didn't hear my phone. It was on buzz.
At noon, my phone, still on buzz, rings again.
My boss calls and says "hey give me a call when you get this".
Didn't get it.
*Alice* calls at 1:30 and tells me Dan is sick am I coming in?
I got NONE of these calls because? My phone was on buzz, and I didn't check my phone until 9am Thursday.
Didn't matter anyway............I had obligations on Wed night, so I couldn't have come in anyway.

SO

I get to work last night. Great mood....
Tried to talk to the boss, on 3-4 occasions.
He's not talking to me.
Hmmmmmmmmm
Ask the other servers what's his deal.
"He's tired, he had to work on his day off".
Oh
He seats guests, and doesn't tell me they are my table.
He's not talking to ME on purpose.
He is mad at me, for not working the night before.

It was not MY scheduled shift.
I didn't call in sick.
HE owns the restaurant.
HE sent me home 2 weeks ago because I was sick and he "didn't want me to make the other servers sick".

And he is mad at me.
Are you serious?

So in all his passive-aggressive, non-confrontational glory........I made it my goal to talk to him as much as possible, and asking questions that required more than a one word answer. Forcing him to speak to me when he was trying to "emotionally bully" me.
Being the confrontationalist that I am...........

Asinine.

SO tonight, he will 'talk under his breath'.

I am going to let him know (weather he wants to know or not) that my phone was on buzz because I WAS IN CHURCH, and that's why I didn't call back.........

I work tonight, but Thank God I have Saturday off.


08:37 - Friday, September 26, 2008 - comments {0}


Ok, I don't get it

Posted in Unspecified
Yesterday, I opened a second blog.
It changed the backround on this blog.
I couldn't figure out how to fix it.
So I deleted the other blog.


Grrrrrrrrrr.

08:17 - Friday, September 26, 2008 - comments {1}


Ladies! Thank you for your comments

I totally appreciate your comments.


So tell me this:

Someone is on their way to starting a relationship with Jesus, but they hesitate because of an addiction (cigarettes, food, beer). They know their addiction is bad, and want to quit (sorta) but have not come to the end of themselves to do it.

What Scripture can I use to encourage them to lay their habit at the feet of Jesus, and what Scriptures can I use to show that He cares?

The fruit of the Spirit "self-control" is great........

Thanks again


08:07 - Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - comments {2}


Serious questions asked in a sassy mouthed way!!!

Tell me why............

Why do people say 'it's a sin to smoke cigarettes' yet they themselves are 40+ pounds over weight?

And if it's not a sin to smoke cigarettes, why do people treat others like they have leprosy? Yeah I know they 'smell', but, some people wear horrifying perfume or smelly lotion, or they just have body odor? What about them? Does this make them a sinner cause they smell yucky?

So why is it, a 'christian' shouldn't smoke cigarettes, but its ok to wear short skirts, low shirts, listen to secular music, watch oprah and gossip openly in the narthex? I know, some Scripture about a 'stumbling brother'.........but........help me here. How is it easier to say "ooo smokers are super sinners" and the above person is not? How is it we are not grossed out by gossipers, or over weight people? How come we don't confront them? Curious. Seriously.

Tell me, cigarettes are unhealthy and they are full of chemicals that get your addicted.
Um, has anyone done research on white sugar? White flour?
Have you read the labels on your food in your pantry?
Do you know what your 'beef and noodles' grazed on before it was on your plate?
So, you can't smoke and be saved, but you can be hooked on food and it's ok?

I know I sound like a smart ___ and I am trying to make a funny out of something that is so "double standard".
I can be grossly overweight (40+lbs), I can be totally hooked on food (addiction), I can dress immodestly in my church home, gossip openly, and eat ravioli from a can..........and I am "ok"...........
but if I put a cigarette to my lips.......
I am some how the scourge of the earth.

Do tell me why?


03:26 - Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - comments {4}


Does it really matter?

That's the question.

"Does it really matter?"

Well I guess that all depends on who I am serving.
If I do what I do for the accolades of man.....then, the answer would be no.
No matter how much, or how hard we try, it's never enough. Never.
There's always someone out there that will 'one up you', or that can't wait to drag you down. They salivate at the chance to point out any flaw, or defect. Nothing, is ever going to be good enough. Ever.

But
If I am serving God. His Way, as prescribed in Scripture and confirmed by the direction of the Holy Spirit................then the answer would be "yes it does matter". Yes it totally matters.

Switch the one I serve.
Think about all the focus and energy that I put into a project to make "man smile" and do the same for God........
Hmmmmmm that might change, me?
Ooooo For the better.
Well now there's a thought.

Maybe it's time to purge a few things........


07:30 - Monday, September 22, 2008 - comments {1}


If I can't get this yard right.........I might pave the whole 5 acres! OUTSIDE LIST 9:22:08

Posted in LISTS !
Again, quite a list for the outside.

Side Garden

Tear out all the dead stuff.
Kill the weeds in front of the rocks
Plant bulbs
Mulch
Burn old plants
Take photos of where I put what.

Veggie Garden

Pray.
Take a deep breath.
Start ripping out dead plants.
Burn them.
Keep picking tomatoes and canning as they come on.
Watch out for HUGE spiders.
Stake out a new place for my garden for 09
Check out books on tomatoes, garlic, corn and potaotes

Fruit Trees

Check out books on my fruit trees
Winterize them
Wrap their trunks
Fertilize them
Mulch them.
Tie them up with better string.

Raspberry Canes

Check out books on berries
Do what book says to winterize them
Lay down more mulch

Misc:

Chop a ton of wood at my aunts, bring it home.
Find plans to build an outside bbq (I have the bricks, just no plans)
Empty pots on deck
Winterize garden work station
Separate my Iris'
Plot out the front gardens for next year



07:15 - Monday, September 22, 2008 - comments {1}


If I can't get this house clean........I might burn it to the ground! DEEP CLEAN LIST 9:22:08

Posted in LISTS !
It's a metaphor.

So I started my list. Told the kids, "1 hour a day, all 4 of us will spend, together, attacking this cleaning list".

I am starting on the main level, at one end of the house, and working my way around.........

Laundry Room

Clean under washer and dryer
Clean out the cabinets
Clean off top of cabinets
Mop the floor and wash base boards.
Good will all old clothes.
Clean vents
Change light bulbs

Back Hallway Closet

Pull everything out
Good will old stuff
Throw away junk
Clean floor
Organize shelves
Put everything back, nice and neat.


Half Bath

Freecycle all old magazines
Clean under vanity
Deep clean bathroom
Mop floor
Change light bulbs


Back Hallway

Sweep and Hand wash hardwoods
Wash walls
Wash garage door

Winterize garage door
Clean vents


The Boy's Room

Pull everything out into foyer
Clean bed frames, nightstands, dresser
Deep vacuum
Wash base boards
All 'toys' and 'totes' to basement
Throw away curtains / replace with new
Clean all vents
Good will / make list of clothes needed
Go thru drawers
Outside stuff, goes outside
Put everything left back in room (beds, nightstands, dresser)
Winterize his windows and plugs on outside walls

Foyer

Clean the chandelier
Clean vents
Wash walls
Put away junk on hope chest
Clean out coat closet / Good will old shoes
Sweep hardwoods
Hand wash hardwoods
Winterize front door and plugs on outside walls.


Once this is finished, I will do the Girl's Room, Kids Bath, Kitchen, Dining Room and Living Room.




07:01 - Monday, September 22, 2008 - comments {0}


Sister Lori...........what a great blog!!

Sister Lori,

I read your blog this morning
( Journey to the Heart of God )
and you made some great points.

Music and media have "raised" three generations of boys.
Mom's too 'busy' to be a mom, so she just plopped her kids in front of the tv. Then bought them Ipods, and gave them free reign on the computer to down load all the music they wanted..........unsupervised. Then allowed them to 'roam'.
They 'roam' in packs. At the mall, at the movie theater, at youth group, at school, really, anywhere.
But always in packs.
Peer pressure then becomes reign and rule.
It's all down hill from there................

I know a boy, who's mama has made a conscience effort to raise him right. Biblically.
At 10, when at a book store with his mother and sisters, he saw the Sports Ill. Swimsuit issue. He quickly moved towards the huge stack of magazines, and flipped it over so that the 'exposed' woman was not facing up. He continues to have this kind of modesty today.
He has sisters. He has a mother. He has been told "would you like people to look at your mother, or sisters this way? NO then you should not view other woman this way.......the women caught in adultery was standing naked before Jesus when He forgave her of her sins, and told her to sin no more. Always, remember that".

The boy is older now. He holds doors (always has) and when he's at work, and a gal is carrying something heavy, he insists upon taking it. I could go on and on.........
He is kind. He is friendly.
Girls notice. Well........some.

Where he works, there are a group of gals (17-19) that work in the same building. They are a group of cheerleaders.
Sadly, the 'stereotype' totally fits.
Anyway, one girl was struggling to get something open, while the others watched and laughed at her. The boy walked over and opened it for her, shot the nasty girls a look, and went back to his station. The girl he helped walked over and thanked him.
Over the summer, that young lady would speak to the boy, not in your typical "yo wass up" kinda lingo. But she KNEW he was "different". Because he treated her with respect, like a human being, created in God's Image.
He didn't treat her like a toy, or a 'treat'.
She noticed.
But the rest of the gals?
They thought he was weird and mocked him.
Because he wasn't treating them like 'garden tools'.
He didn't care.
He knows who he is in Christ.
He is comfortable in the skin God wrapped him in.

This boy has been trained since he was born. He is still in training. It takes time. It takes effort. It is repetitive. It is maddening sometimes.
But trust me, when people look at you and say
"wow, he's a great kid"
As a mother, I know God is with me because I could have never raised him this well...........in my own strength.

My boy is proof, God is Truth.

09:07 - Sunday, September 21, 2008 - comments {1}


What can I do today to be more like Jesus?

That's a good question.
They say it takes 30 days to start a habit.

With Jesus, it take one encounter to change a life.

But for us backsliders, climbing back up the mountain top is tough.

So what can I do to be more like Him today?

1. Love like Him.

See, that one throws me. Agape is like the Proverb's 31 gal.
Totally unattainable. No human can do it. Nope, not one.........
BUT
I can learn from those models.

2. Forgive like Him.

Again, I don't know how this is possible.
I know, that if *I* were God, I would have smashed ME like a bug, a long time ago. Not because I didn't want to forgive, but because I am so dumb!!!  Sometimes, forgiving is so 'easy'. But other times, I make a conscience effort to forgive, then WHAMO it hits me in the gut and I know, I really didn't forgive..........
Why is this such a struggle?

08:18 - Saturday, September 20, 2008 - comments {0}


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1 Timothy 1:15-16 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
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- Have you ever gotten to that place???
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