Friday, January 30, 2015
Mentoring Woman: "SING A NEW SONG!"
Mentoring Woman: "SING A NEW SONG!": Anymore when God wakes me up at 6:30 AM in the morning I just know there is something I am supposed to be listening and learni...
"SING A NEW SONG!"
Anymore when God wakes me up at 6:30 AM in the morning I just know there is something I am supposed to be listening and learning from Him. That time may not seem so early to most of you but it is for this retired person! But I "Arose" and am excited to share with you what God has been teaching me!
Ever on my extended quest to finish reading through the Bible again, I am just finishing up Deuteronomy (don't judge). In this book of the bible, God tells Moses that he (Moses) is about to die but before God calls him home, he gives Moses some last minute instructions. God instructs him: "Now write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them." Deu. 31:19 (NIV) "So Moses wrote down this song that day and taught it to the Israelites." Deut. 31:22 (NIV)
What was this song that God wanted Moses to teach the Isarelites? At the end of Chapter 31 and the beginning of Chapter 32 it tells us. "And Moses recited the words of this song from beginning to end in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel," "Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. (Reminds me of two of Michael W. Smith's songs: "Let It Rain" and "Healing Rain") http://youtu.be/Bo1bjTOFbZA I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh praise the greatness of our God! (How about the song, "How Great Is Our God?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg5qDljEw7Q He is the Rock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RpLB7bAlYc) his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he." Deut. 32:1-4 (NIV). I invite you to finish reading the rest of the song gave to Moses for yourself.
Some of the above songs that I have provided links for may be new to you. But a new song can be a blessing in many ways:
1. It can be a reminder of who God is: Psalm 96:1-3 "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.
2. It can affect others: Psalm 40:3: "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."
3. A new song can be used to worship our creator: Revelation 5:9 "And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."
Now, don't get me wrong, I love the old songs just as well. I love to sing "The Old Rugged Cross", "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" and all the others I grew up with! But I was thinking that today's new songs will be tomorrows old ones! Profound huh? In fact Revelation 15:3 says "They (those who were victorious over the beast) held harps given to them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb." This is a direct reference back to the song that God gave to Moses in Deuteronomy. This was a real eye opener for me because I don't remember ever reading this before! The very same song Moses taught to the Israelites will be sung in heaven. I just love it when God does that! So evidently in heaven there will be both old and new songs!
My mentoring consideration for all of us (especially we older women) is this: We shouldn't be afraid of new songs! We should be open to listening to them and learning them. I mean the Israelites had to learn a new song, so why shouldn't we?
So the next time you are "Rollin On The River," or "Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay" "Down By the Boardwalk" or perhaps just fulfilling your bucket list to "Climb Every Mountain". I hope you allow a new song bring you "Joy, Joy, Joy Down In Your Heart" and "I Hope You Dance!" Go ahead...let "Jesus Take The Wheel" and just "Dance To The Music!"
Friday, January 23, 2015
Mentoring Woman: IT'S ALL ON DISPLAY!
Mentoring Woman: IT'S ALL ON DISPLAY!: Well, the time has finally arrived for displaying all the items I have been sewing all these months. I just had to set up for a trial run ...
IT'S ALL ON DISPLAY!
Well, the time has finally arrived for displaying all the items I have been sewing all these months. I just had to set up for a trial run but when I take it to the church, the table, will actually have a cloth and skirt on it!
Whew, this was a lot of work!
As I was thinking about the word "display" this week, My thoughts went to God and the way He displays (or reveals) that He IS to us. Roman's 1:20 says: "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Theologians call this "General Revelation". It is the way that God reveals who He is to mankind. It also makes Him righteous in His judgment to mankind, for no one can ever say they did not know or see God. Just look at a Sunset or take a trip to Niagara Falls if you doubt this! As the verse says: "It is clearly seen!"
I took this picture of a rainbow last Spring as I looked out my front door. It is just another perfect example of how God displays His beauty and creativity to us.
God also gives us knowledge of Him through "Special Revelation". He does this through the written word "The Bible" and the person of "Jesus Christ". As you think about this, it may produce questions in your mind. If so, the website link below may help answer some of those questions.
The point to my mentoring challenge for us is this: We can all look out our windows and see God on display but we must take the time to get to know Him through His special revelation. For those of us who know Christ, it also brings along the challenge of sharing our faith with those who do not know Christ. What a wonderful privilege that God has afforded us! Lord, help us be more bold!
Friday, January 16, 2015
Mentoring Woman: "TRUE MYTH BUSTERS"
Mentoring Woman: "TRUE MYTH BUSTERS": Ever on the cutting edge of technology (yeah right!) I have watched a television show called "Myth Busters". These mad scientists...
"TRUE MYTH BUSTERS"
Ever on the cutting edge of technology (yeah right!) I have watched a television show called "Myth Busters". These mad scientists take a myth such as: "Can you really drop an egg off a ten story building without it shattering to pieces?" And then they conduct a test to see if the myth is true or false!
I was thinking that Satan (the father of all lies) also tantalizes us with myths which we have to put to the test to see if they are true or false. Some of these might be:
"Jesus can't love you!" FALSE John 15:13 says: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Christ loved you so much He gave His very life so you might live forever!
"You are not good enough to go to heaven!" TRUE AND FALSE You aren't good enough in yourself. Ephesians 2:8-9 says: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." When you place your faith in Christ, He is the one who cleanses you and makes you fit for heaven, because only He can make you whiter than snow! Which is a great visual reminder right now for us living in Mid-America.
"You fail constantly, so why even try again?" FALSE! Paul, himself, struggled with this very thing in Romans 7:15-18: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. Vs. 24 & 25 "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" None of us are perfect, but we are perfectly forgiven! So pick yourself up and start all over again!
"No one really cares, so why should I?" FALSE! There are people who care, but most of all God cares! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" You may need to seek someone out! There is some older woman who would love to share their life but they may not know you are looking! Ask God to show you who can help you in your spiritual walk and your everyday life. And older ladies, ask God for someone to invest your life in. Trust me, there is someone out there!
These are just a few myths that the evil one throws at us. Ephesians 6: 10 says: "Finally be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you take your stand against the devil's schemes." With Christ's power we can do this ladies!
I did my own "myth buster" experiments this past week. There were a couple of things on "Pinterest" that I wanted to try to see if they would actually work:
First I have a black kitchen sink and because we have well water it constantly shows lots of white spots. I first took baking soda and vinegar and made a paste (as suggested) and rubbed into the sink then rinsed. Then I took dish detergent and rubbed it on. They suggested "Dawn" detergent but since it was -4 degrees and I didn't want to get out, I used Ajax Lemon Citrus, and then I rinsed again. Then I rubbed vegetable oil over the top of that with a paper towel. It worked! And has been nice all week! Definitely something I will do again!
Another project I wanted to try was on our ultra-suede recliners. The head, and arms, were getting a little dirty. Guess what "Pinterest" said to use? Windex with a brush! I did, and I noticed it definitely looked better (even my husband said it did). I would love to hear about your myth buster experiences as well! Have a great weekend and watch out for those myths!
I was thinking that Satan (the father of all lies) also tantalizes us with myths which we have to put to the test to see if they are true or false. Some of these might be:
"Jesus can't love you!" FALSE John 15:13 says: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Christ loved you so much He gave His very life so you might live forever!
"You are not good enough to go to heaven!" TRUE AND FALSE You aren't good enough in yourself. Ephesians 2:8-9 says: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." When you place your faith in Christ, He is the one who cleanses you and makes you fit for heaven, because only He can make you whiter than snow! Which is a great visual reminder right now for us living in Mid-America.
"You fail constantly, so why even try again?" FALSE! Paul, himself, struggled with this very thing in Romans 7:15-18: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. Vs. 24 & 25 "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" None of us are perfect, but we are perfectly forgiven! So pick yourself up and start all over again!
"No one really cares, so why should I?" FALSE! There are people who care, but most of all God cares! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" You may need to seek someone out! There is some older woman who would love to share their life but they may not know you are looking! Ask God to show you who can help you in your spiritual walk and your everyday life. And older ladies, ask God for someone to invest your life in. Trust me, there is someone out there!
These are just a few myths that the evil one throws at us. Ephesians 6: 10 says: "Finally be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you take your stand against the devil's schemes." With Christ's power we can do this ladies!
I did my own "myth buster" experiments this past week. There were a couple of things on "Pinterest" that I wanted to try to see if they would actually work:
First I have a black kitchen sink and because we have well water it constantly shows lots of white spots. I first took baking soda and vinegar and made a paste (as suggested) and rubbed into the sink then rinsed. Then I took dish detergent and rubbed it on. They suggested "Dawn" detergent but since it was -4 degrees and I didn't want to get out, I used Ajax Lemon Citrus, and then I rinsed again. Then I rubbed vegetable oil over the top of that with a paper towel. It worked! And has been nice all week! Definitely something I will do again!
 |
| AFTER CLEANING! |
Friday, January 9, 2015
Mentoring Woman: IT'S OKAY TO REST!
Mentoring Woman: IT'S OKAY TO REST!: Hello everyone and Happy New Year! The holidays are over and now we can all breath a sigh of relief! You might think with the title of thi...
IT'S OKAY TO REST!
Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
The holidays are over and now we can all breath a sigh of relief! You might think with the title of this post that I am going to talk about taking a long winter's nap! After all the Christmas decorating, buying, wrapping, and cooking that all of us have done I'm sure we all deserve it, Certainly we need times of refreshment and relaxation, so if that is what you have been doing, enjoy!
But today I wanted to talk about something that is a struggle for all of us and that is "resting in Lord". What does resting look like and how can you and I accomplish it? Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
The first thing I noticed about these verses is that we have to take our weariness and burdens (or the things that weigh us down) to Christ. He not only asks us to, but he wants to carry them. Why is it that it almost always our last response? We wring our hands with worry, we talk about what is bothering us with our friends, but we take it to the Lord last. Sometimes what is making us weary is our friends burdens! When we give these burdens to him then He gives us rest. It almost makes me feel lighter just hearing about it! Doesn't it you?
Then Christ goes on to talk about a yoke. What is that all about? My husband, who was raised on a farm, tells me that when a new horse is introduced to field work, the farmer hooks it next to a more mature horse, one who knows the ropes or harness (pun intended) so to speak. That is why I love the mentoring process for it is the same principle! When we older women share our lives with you younger women, we share with you what has or has not worked over the years on how to better manage our homes, to love our husbands and children, and all the other things that Titus 2:3-5 talks about. However, not for one minute am I comparing we older women to an old mare! But in the Matthew passage, we are being yoked or connected with Jesus. What kind of things will he teach us? A couple of the things is found in the same verse. It is how to be gentle and humble in heart. I want to learn that! Don't you? Wow, what a mentoring promise! There's a lot to learn in 2015 ladies, and there is rest ahead....rest in the Lord!
I am including a very simple Chicken Rice Soup I prepared last week. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
I raided the pantry and found this package of Herb and Butter Rice A Roni.
First I took 2 frozen chicken breasts, a half chopped onion, 1-2 stalks of chopped celery, and 1 sliced carrot and put into a pan. I covered the mixture in water and cooked all until tender. I removed the chicken and cut into bite-sized chunks and returned it to the broth and vegetable mixture. Then I added the package mix. I did not add any other spices because everything was right there in the mix! Cook until rice is tender. Add more water as needed or if you like a thinner soup. I told you it was souper simple! This would be a great for all this -4 degree weather we have been having!
The holidays are over and now we can all breath a sigh of relief! You might think with the title of this post that I am going to talk about taking a long winter's nap! After all the Christmas decorating, buying, wrapping, and cooking that all of us have done I'm sure we all deserve it, Certainly we need times of refreshment and relaxation, so if that is what you have been doing, enjoy!
But today I wanted to talk about something that is a struggle for all of us and that is "resting in Lord". What does resting look like and how can you and I accomplish it? Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
The first thing I noticed about these verses is that we have to take our weariness and burdens (or the things that weigh us down) to Christ. He not only asks us to, but he wants to carry them. Why is it that it almost always our last response? We wring our hands with worry, we talk about what is bothering us with our friends, but we take it to the Lord last. Sometimes what is making us weary is our friends burdens! When we give these burdens to him then He gives us rest. It almost makes me feel lighter just hearing about it! Doesn't it you?
Then Christ goes on to talk about a yoke. What is that all about? My husband, who was raised on a farm, tells me that when a new horse is introduced to field work, the farmer hooks it next to a more mature horse, one who knows the ropes or harness (pun intended) so to speak. That is why I love the mentoring process for it is the same principle! When we older women share our lives with you younger women, we share with you what has or has not worked over the years on how to better manage our homes, to love our husbands and children, and all the other things that Titus 2:3-5 talks about. However, not for one minute am I comparing we older women to an old mare! But in the Matthew passage, we are being yoked or connected with Jesus. What kind of things will he teach us? A couple of the things is found in the same verse. It is how to be gentle and humble in heart. I want to learn that! Don't you? Wow, what a mentoring promise! There's a lot to learn in 2015 ladies, and there is rest ahead....rest in the Lord!
I am including a very simple Chicken Rice Soup I prepared last week. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
SOUPER SIMPLE SOUP!
I raided the pantry and found this package of Herb and Butter Rice A Roni.
First I took 2 frozen chicken breasts, a half chopped onion, 1-2 stalks of chopped celery, and 1 sliced carrot and put into a pan. I covered the mixture in water and cooked all until tender. I removed the chicken and cut into bite-sized chunks and returned it to the broth and vegetable mixture. Then I added the package mix. I did not add any other spices because everything was right there in the mix! Cook until rice is tender. Add more water as needed or if you like a thinner soup. I told you it was souper simple! This would be a great for all this -4 degree weather we have been having!
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