Choosing To Be Unoffended

By: Sarah MacKinney

A person's wisdom makes him slow to anger;

it is his honor to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11

When I read that verse I feel the big "C" word. Yep, conviction. I think of the things that I get offended by and I realize how petty I can be and how much time is wasted by being offended by things that don't matter. In some ways, I wish I were more like my husband. He is the best example of "turning the other cheek" that I know. We recently encountered a situation with an individual that I was fuming about; but his response was, "I'm going to overlook this, forgive and move on." There it was again, the big "C" word. If he was able to get past it so quickly, then shouldn't I as well?

There is a season and a time for everything...

by Debi Baker

This has been a crazy week. On Monday, I sat with a friend and her family as her brother passed away. It's been rough for the family. This brother just became reacquainted with my friend in the past 3 weeks after many years of 'not knowing one another.'

I will be doing the funeral tomorrow. I don't necessarily 'like' to do funerals but this one is different. I only had the privilege of knowing him for about 10 days but in that short time I knew exactly where his heart was. He was a man of God. He was a pleasant man despite what his time 'outside' the will of God had done to his body.  

Because of this particular 'season' in my friend's life, I've been thinking and meditating on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

What if?

By: Shari A. Miller

The other day I was watching a Christian woman on Periscope speak about two little words, "What if?" These words can be so inconspicuous and yet have such a powerful meaning at the same time.

What if you have more children?
What if you home school your children?
What if you decide to go back to college?
What if you decide to trust God and do the hard thing He is asking you to do?

Those two little words can pack quite a punch don't they?

Is there anything that God is asking you to do that seems impossible? Are there any of those "What if?" questions running through your mind?

"For God did not give us a Spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
 - 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

Southwest Breakfast Casserole

By: Melissa Baker

Recipe courtesy of Juliasalbum.com

Ingredients

• 1 lb regular pork sausage
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can black beans (15 oz), drained
• 1 can diced green chili peppers (4 oz)
• 1 and 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 3 cups hash browns (frozen, raw, uncooked, completely defrosted)
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Prayer & Bible Journal {giveaway}

By: Jenifer Metzger

Today we are taking a break from Marriage Monday to bring you an amazing giveaway!

I love journaling my Bible time and prayers. This is a practice I started as a teenager and has really enhanced my time with God. For many years I got away from journaling but, thankfully, I found my way back several years ago.

The Bible Journal Deluxe Kit by Katie, aka Farm Girl Journals includes both a Bible journaling section and a quiet time prayer section. It also includes 4 coordinating sheets of laminated letter, number, tab and shape stickers and an attached pocket to keep your stickers, pens, highlighters, etc, all handy!

A gentle and peaceful spirit...

by Elizabeth Stewart

While I'm in my home office this morning, trying to read my Bible and pray and write this blog post, I hear the pounding of a hammer, the ripping up of flooring, and the voices of men working. It's a whole lot easier to keep a gentle and peaceful spirit that isn't anxious and wrought up when everything around me is neat and tidy and peaceful and quiet.  However, that's not been my reality since mid-July when we put our former house up for sale, moved into our new to us house, and started updating it. 

Ask

by Robin McKay

While having my quiet time this morning, I was asking God all kinds of questions.  Some I felt some definite response...others...not so much. What I enjoyed most of all, was just feeling snuggled up against His heart while I snuggled under a warm blanket in the quiet house.  Undisturbed by any other noise than the dog's snoring.

So...if you could sit down with Jesus today and ask Him one or two questions--what would they be?

He's there!  He's with you now!  Just because we cannot always experience His Presence with our 5 senses does not mean He is absent. Believe without doubt He is with you...now!  

Sit quietly with Him.  Rest with Him.  Drink from His living water.  Fill His courts with the praises of your mouth.  Then ask...simply ask those questions you have that only He could possibly answer.  

“You do not have because you do not ask.”  James 4:2b

Who Are You?

By: Sarah MacKinney

Identity; a word that so many of us wrestle with. A word that goes hand and hand with self image and self esteem. The dictionary defines "identity" as "being who or what a person or thing is." If I asked you to describe yourself to a stranger you may recount your physical description, your hobbies, what you like and dislike. But really, WHO ARE YOU? What do you believe about yourself? What makes you laugh? What breaks your heart? What are those deep longings in your soul?

Where does your identity come from? What or who do you allow to define you?  Is it the numbers on the scale? The opinions of others? Does your identity lie in your failure or success at your job? Do your critics define you, or the accolades and pats on the back? Does the media give or take away your worth when you meet or don't meet the expectations they set in regard to beauty and success? You see, for many years I succumbed to thinking I was only "good" if I looked, acted and sounded a certain way. I lost who I really was because I put so much effort into people pleasing that I forgot my identity. Maybe I never even really knew it.  I let so many other people and things either put value on me or take it away that I was setting myself up for danger.

T.H.I.N.K.

by Debi Baker

"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, 

so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."

Ephesians 4:29 NLT

Have you ever regretted something you said? That's a silly question...we've ALL said something we wish we could take back! Our words are like toothpaste in a tube and our mouth is the tube. Once you squeeze the toothpaste out, can you get it back inside the tube? Not without cutting the end of the tube off.  Once it's out, it's out.

Do Not Grow Weary in Suffering

By: Shari A. Miller

Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls

By: Melissa Baker

Recipe courtesy of www.RealHouseMoms.com

Ingredients:

10 oz Bag of (limited edition) Wilton Pumpkin Spice Candy Melts

17 oz Cheesecake (I used Sara Lee Cheesecake Original Cream Classic) 

Embracing the Differences

By: Jenifer Metzger

My husband loves mixed martial arts. I think it's yucky. Yes, I say yucky because I can't think of a different word that sounds nice. He would love for me to watch his fights with him. Instead, I turn my head completely grossed out. I love to read and would love to have my husband read books with me. Yet, even the thought of reading makes him fall asleep. These are just 2 of our differences.

I think it is pretty clear that in marriage, we don't always see eye to eye on everything. This includes hobbies or interests. It can be hard to connect with your husband when you don't always like the same things.

Time and time again I see women upset because their husband has a different interest or hobby than they do. If I am honest, I've been upset about this too. I love to be with my husband and I want us to do the same things. I want us to want to do the same things.

But the thing, you are not the same person, you and your husband. You are two different people, created very differently by our God. Your differences are good. Yes, good.

The beauty of a Spirit filled personality...

by Elizabeth Stewart

There is no doubt that we are each born with unique personalities.  My firstborn was easy and compliant from birth.  Being young, naive and in need of some humility, I thought that I was simply a great mama!  When others had fussy babies, I judged that they were just lacking in their parenting skills.  Pride goes before a fall, and my fall came with baby number two, who was a strong-willed, fussy, non-sleeper.  I prayed, I cried, I wondered how my baby got demon possessed. (Just kidding! Well, sort of.)  My epiphany came when I read The Strong Willed Child and discovered that some babies are just born that way.  It's part of their unique personality, which God wants to use for His purposes and plans.

A Constant Flow of Joy

by Robin McKay

“Always be joyful”

1 Thes. 5:16

How? 

I’m serious!  How are we supposed to ALWAYS be joyful?  To rejoice in and over ALL things?  That isn’t even realistic—is it?

[I feel like I am on the cusp of understanding something BIG...not there yet, but getting closer—and I love it!  Bring me even closer, Lord Jesus, closer to understanding—closer to You and to Your heart!]

What if we began seeing things through God’s eyes?

What if we made His view our habit?

I only know God’s heart in part.

I know Jesus but not really well.

What if I truly lived learning God and studying Jesus!

“If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”  

John 8:19

Now don’t over think this.  Let’s keep it simple...

Seasons

By: Sarah MacKinney

As the leaves on the trees are changing into beautiful oranges and reds, the fall decor is on all the porches and everything is pumpkin spice; the changing of the seasons is everywhere. From a hot sticky summer to a beautiful unseasonably warm fall, everywhere you look change is in the air. Some like the change and some don't. Some prefer the heat and some prefer the cold.  But whether we like it or not, change is coming. Just like we can't control the weather, sometimes in life we have situations occur that we can't control. I have a friend who is struggling with cancer and has to go to chemo; a situation she can't control. I have another friend who lost her father unexpectedly almost a year ago, leaving her and her family in shock and grief; a situation she had no control over. Yet another person I love is rejoicing in an unexpected pregnancy, another friend is experiencing great success in her new job and is feeling completely fulfilled. Just like the changing of the seasons, each of these situations describe the seasons in our lives. Some are filled with success, joy and blessing while others are filled with grief, sadness and trials.

No longer a slave to...

by Debi Baker

This past weekend our ladies from church went on a women's retreat.  It was at this retreat that I heard for the first time a song that has simply been life changing to me.  It isn't a new song and I only listen to Christian radio, but I had never heard the song  before.  The song brought a new revelation to me.  It reaffirmed the love that my God has for me.  In fact, upon arriving home, I looked up the song and we only sang a portion of it over the weekend.  But what we sang resonated such love to my heart.  Here is the part we sang:

You split the sea

So I could walk right through it

All my fears were drowned in perfect love

You rescued me

So I could stand and sing

I am child of God...

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

You Split The Sea

By: Jenifer Metzger

My heart has been going through quite a bit lately. The relationship with my son is strained and last week my daughter had to have a serious medical test (I may share more about that at a later time). When I begin to pray for these two situations, I can't.

I can pray for anything and anyone but when I start to pray for these two situations, the words get lodged in my throat and fear overwhelms me. I can do nothing but cry. I know God knows my heart and knows the situations, but I want to cry out to Him with words. I want to let go of fear and pray.

This weekend the ladies from my church attended a women's retreat. I went to the retreat praying that God would touch our women. Bless them, heal them, deliver them, and breathe new life into them. He did. But He also blessed me, healed me, delivered me and breathed new life into me. We sang the song Slaves No More. As we sang, I felt God breathing into me. I had heard this song before, it is sang by one of my favorite worship groups, but at that time it didn't mean anything personal to me. This time it enveloped me.

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

-------------

You split the sea so I could walk right through it

My fears are drowned in perfect love

You rescued me and I will stand and sing

I am a child of God

Pumpkin spice pull apart bread with butter glaze

By: Melissa Baker

Yields: one loaf, about 8 servings
Prep Time: (including dough rising) about 3 hours

This sticky, sweet pumpkin pull-apart loaf is irresistible. It's made from layers of fluffy pumpkin yeast dough coated with browned butter, cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg. Let it cool until it has just a hint of warmth left, drizzle on some glaze, and enjoy -- preferably with the windows open to let in a crisp autumn breeze. Oh, and by the way, this recipe makes use of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, but there's no reason you can't knead this dough by hand. It'll just take a little longer (and a little more elbow grease).

Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) active dry yeast
2 1/2 cups bread flour

Filling Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Butter Glaze Ingredients:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/8 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar

A season for everything...

by Elizabeth Stewart

I don't know what season you are in.

Me, I'm in the "nana" season of life.

You may be young and single and still wondering what the future holds for you.

You may be a young mama facing the isolation that only those who have lived through the infant and toddler years can relate to.

Perhaps this fall, all of your children headed out the door to school for the first time

or maybe the youngest of your flock just started college leaving you to face the empty nest.

Me, I'm past all of that, and enjoying one of life's richest seasons, the "nana" years.

Being a grandparent to our five grand babies is SO MUCH FUN!

But, if I could go back and relive every season in my life,

 the one piece of advice I would give my younger self would be enjoy every season for what it is.

The God of Different

By Robin McKay

Guess what?  God wants—He needs—different. 

Sometimes...I gaze too long at other families.  Through my limited scope I see a different way of doing things and wonder—is their difference better?

God needs my family right where we are at and yours right where you are.  He wants us coming to Him...dependent upon Him for every thing—every day.

Needing Him.  

Believing Him.   

Wanting what He wants for us.  

Living, learning, repenting, growing, submitting, faltering, and crying out to Him in desperation knowing He is the only One capable. 

Everybody Needs Somebody

If I asked what is important to you in a friendship, what would your response be?  Do you desire loyalty above all else, trustworthiness, honesty, consistency?  I believe that God wants us to have healthy friendships, I believe that having good Godly friends can help us get through the rough seasons of life and also bring indescribable joy.  The last few weeks I have been doing a lot of thinking about friendship and have been trying to put into words what it means to me. What I value in my relationships are those who will rejoice with me, be sincerely happy for me, cry with me, value confidentiality, love my kids, encourage me, tell me the truth even when its hard and pray for me.  Those are the attributes that I put high importance on, so then I ask myself...."What kind of friend are you, Sarah?"  Would my friends describe me as caring or selfish?  Encouraging or critical? Do I add to their lives or do I take from it?  The Bible tells us that if we want to have friends then we have to show ourselves friendly.  So am I doing that?  Are you?

A Daily Decision to Follow Christ

By: Shari A. Miller

I've often wondered why it is so difficult to have consistency in life. What I mean by this is.....being consistent with what should matter most in our lives. 

We know in our hearts what should be most important, Christ first, family second, then work and friends third. However, life can throw us curve balls, blindside us, and take us off guard and we quickly forget.

The only thing that can help when life gets topsy turvy, is to make a full on conscious decision every day to follow Christ.

"Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." - Matthew 16:24

German Chocolate Macaroons

By: Melissa Baker

Recipe courtesy of www.chef-in-training.com

Ingredients:

• 5⅓ cups shredded sweetened coconut
• ¾ cup sugar
• 6 Tablespoons flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 5 egg whites
• 1 cup finely chopped toasted pecans

Chocolate Topping

• Melt 4 ounces sweet chocolate
• 1 Tablespoon shortening

And He shall reign forever and ever...

By: Elizabeth Stewart

This summer my husband spoke at a church conference in London.  What a wonderful blessing it was to participate in this conference and to visit London.  Of all of the amazing sights we crammed into our nine days there, one of the most meaningful was our visit to Westminster Abbey.  No photography is allowed inside, but if you've watched any of the royal weddings you have some idea of the splendor of this place of worship.  I was particularly moved by seeing the burial place of missionary David Livingstone as well as the burial place of my favorite composer, George Handel.  However, what impacted me the most were the words of Revelation 11:15 written on the wall of this abbey, the place of the coronation of the kings and queens of Britain down through the centuries. 

The Gift of Being Mom

I want to speak directly to you moms out there. Moms who work full or part part time jobs, stay at home moms, moms who are facing intense trials with a child, moms who are walking on the mountain top rejoicing with their kids, moms of adult children or toddlers, moms who are tired, moms who are rejuvenated; those who are overwhelmed and those who are energetic. These next few minutes are for YOU.

Do you know how important your role is? Do you know what a high calling you have placed on you?Do you know that your child looks to you for love, security and acceptance? Do you know that your words can determine the course of your child's day? That the look on your face every time you look at them plays an important role in their self worth? You are irreplaceable. You are valuable. You matter. God chose YOU to be the momma to the children you have, whether your children are from your own womb, foster care or adoption....you were chosen to nurture, love, teach, guide, challenge, grow, cheer on and lead your children! Stop for a second and name all of your children one by one.  Say their names slowly and think about each one's giftings, the way they make you smile, the way they may make you cry, the things they struggle with, the things about them that make you giggle, the things that make each one of them unique. Abby. Morgan. Cole. Mackenzie. Gavin. Chloe. The names of the children that God gave me to mother. The names of the most precious people to me. I was never given the chance to be the earthly mother to our Chloe, but I carried her for 9 months, held her in my arms and continue to deeply deeply love her, even though she is in the arms of her Heavenly Father. Maybe you have your own "Chloe." If so, my heart weeps with you. But even her life was a gift. Each of my children are a gift from a God who loves me enough to entrust me with such greatness! What are the names of your gifts?

Emotions

by Debi Baker


So many people think that it is a sin to have emotions.  Well, I got to thinking about that and have decided that since we are supposed to be like Jesus, then it must not be a sin to have emotions.  The sin would be 'what we do with those emotions.'

Jesus was a man of many emotions.  He felt compassion. Jesus was angry. He was troubled.  He grieved; He wept; He groaned; He rejoiced very greatly and was full of joy; Jesus loved.  These are just some of the emotions that Jesus experienced.  He was fully man and yet fully God.  The 'man' part of Him was all that man is, and that includes emotional.

Even though Jesus experienced emotions, He was fully in control of those emotions.  He didn't let His anger get out of control.  He didn't let His emotions rule Him.  It's okay to be angry.  In fact the Bible tells us to "26 Be angry but do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down on your anger." [Ephesians 4:26 MEV]  Harboring that anger becomes sin.