Monday, January 28, 2013

A needed Spiritual Pep Talk....

I woke up at 4:11  this morning in a funk.  It amazes me that satan seems to attack me when I am not quite awake, bored or just had a disturbing phone call from my daughter, all of which has occurred within the last 12 hours.  Sigh....So this is an entry for me...a spiritual pep rally if you will.   Please bare with me while I get my Jesus Girl armour on.

I love the Blue Letter Bible website.  It has everything from commentaries to women's sources, but I like the devotionals.  This is today's, it is from Proverbs 8:35.  "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD."  Here is the devotional thought on this verse.

     "Whatever wisdom exists finds its identity in the person and being of Christ Himself. Seek this wisdom and thereby seek out the Lord of our rest. In Him alone lies all life and love and joy and meaning. Turn to Him and embrace true wisdom! Turn to Him and be comforted with the promise of eternal Sabbath! In Christ alone stands our hope!"

What has my goat this morning?  Here is my list:

I arose from my bed this morning dizzy...inner ear.
I have a daughter that is running a muck in New Jersey. 
I have a son who is 15 can barely read and maybe on the third grade level.  He informed me last night that he wants to go to a Christian school because he wants friends.
I cannot afford a Christian school!
My husband wants to retire, but we cannot afford it.  He is 67 and has been working for 46 years at NNSY and we cannot afford it?
His car is on its last wheel.
The house needs decluttering and painting and I know that all this will be done by me and me alone.
The oven has stopped working.
The over-the-oven hood lights have stopped working.
The sprayer at the kitchen sink has been disconnected for years and does not work.
The bathroom ceiling is peeling and in bad need of work.
The house exterior needs a new roof, mold removal and repainting--along with new gutters.
My right leg is in pain.
My right underarm has an enlargement.
I have a lump in the right side of my sternum.
My asthma is never ending.
I am at least 100 pounds over weight.

This is just a list of things I am willing to talk about.

BUT!  satan!  I have found Jesus and according to His Word--I have found life and favor!  So thank you so very much for reminding me that I live in a sin cursed and fallen world!  Thank you for reminding me that I am just a traveler through this world that you are trying to destroy!  Thank you for reminding me that this is NOT my home!  Thank you for reminding me that I do indeed need a Saviour no matter what time of day or night it is!  Thank you for reminding me that I need my Jesus no matter what day of the week it is! 

You, satan, can break everything in this house. You, satan, can torment everyone in this house.  You, satan, can probably afflict me with all kinds of pain and illness. BUT!  You have NO dominion over my SOUL....YOU HAVE LOST!!   I do not care what it looks like!!  I do not care what it feels like!!  I do not care what it sounds like!!  YOU HAVE LOST!!!

You, the enemy of my soul, have NO dominion here at the Beale Bungalow! You, the enemy of my family, have NO dominion with any of my walking DNA or their spouses. You, the enemy of my peace, have NO dominion over anything! PERIOD! END OF DISCUSSION!

I have all the promises of God, in the name of Jesus, by the power and seal of the Holy Spirit.  You cannot defeat Them!  If God be for us, who can be against us!  Romans 8:31b!  Written by Paul! of whom you tried to destroy too!  and did NOT succeed!

You have tried to manipulate me to be filled with the poisons of anger, bitterness and hatred through every possible means and persons in my life here on this terrestrial ball, but YOU HAVE FAILED!!  You have no dominion, right, or authority with anything that concerns me or mine, because it is all Gods' anyway!

I am not perfect, but my God is!  I do not live perfectly, but my Jesus did!  I have no power of my own, but the Holy Spirit does!   Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!  

I have life and favor in Christ and Christ Alone!  Go fight it out with Him and leave me alone!  The battle is His!  The victory is His!  The glory is His!  and guess what satan...I AM HIS! 

In His Name,
Amen















 

 



















 

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Snow, snow, snow...



This was my view outside my living room window this morning.   It was beautiful, peaceful and quiet.  The air was crisp and carried the sounds of birds coming and going from their nests in our holly bushes.  This is what I call a winter morning.  :)

We, in the Hampton Roads area, do not see snow often.  I do believe we have a NO SNOW ZONE sign stamped on us somewhere in heaven.  Sigh...so when we do get snow...Yippee!!!  Just about everyone is excited, except for my husband and one elder at my church.  Oh well, God is in control and He heard a great deal many more prayers for snow than not.  TeeHee....

My sore leg was acting up this morning.  Sometimes I think it is going to bend the wrong way and this causes not only physical pain, but a bit of the emotional 'what if?' kind of pain.  I stayed off of it this morning and it seems to be doing better this afternoon.  I think that might have something to do with the ibuprofen I took and the TED I am wearing, but all is well.

I looked around the Beale Bungalow this morning and became discouraged.  It was a mess!  I worked all week just to have it all fall apart on the weekend?  No...no...no...I don't think so.  Once my leg was feeling better I started with our bedroom and made the bed, put away all the laundry and made it look nice and tidy.

Next was the laundry in the computer room.  It is funny that I seem to be the only one who knows how to fold socks, undershirts and panties. It took all of 10 minutes and no time to put them away at all.  The computer room is still a sight because that is where everything is going to be sorted and either given away, thrown out or repurposed.  It will be the final room completely done.

After the living room and the dining room where straightened I tackled the kitchen.  It sure looks much better, and I am happy with the results. The laundry room followed--more laundry put away and everything tidied up.  The bathroom got a good scrubbing.  I am glad that job is over!  :)

The floors were vacuumed, porches swept, candles lit and now my guys are in from their outside chores and play enjoying a nice neat warm home.  This makes me very content...

The sky has opened up a few times today and allowed the sun to peek through...I wander if I have opened up and allowed the Son to peek through my life today.  I must confess...other than a couple of blogs mentioning God this morning...my answer would have to be no.  I know what I will be doing when I finish here.  :)  I know that God will be just as excited for me to spend time with Him in the afternoon as He would in the morning.  I talk with Him all the time, but spending time in His Word...that I have not done as of yet.  Like I said...I know what I will be doing when I finish here.

      


So far, this has been a very nice wintery Saturday...I pray that you are having the same kind of day.

Sharon

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Thursdays thoughts....

The sky has been a kaleidoscope of weather patterns totally bathed in frigid temperatures today.  There has been an alternating of deep grayness to vivid whiteness to a crisp bright yellow sunshine that only occurs in the months of winter.  Snowflurries have been witnessed throughout the day and I believe snow has been forecasted for tonight.  All of these changes have made me extremely thankful for the warm cluttered bungalow that I call "home".

I have not done but so much today.  My leg is improving, but it does require me to remain off of it for long periods of time.  Aspercreme and Ibuprophen are helping, so are the ice packs, but that painful pulling remains.  No Zumba for me tonight.  Sigh...I do enjoy it so....

Anyway, I have a few minutes to jot down my thoughts before I go through the house and do my final pick up and put away before my husband comes home.  I like to do this so he does not come home to chaos....which it is not....but neatness seems to warm his soul and it is a small thing I can do for him on a daily bases.  I believe it gives him a sense of security, as well as, to our son and myself.

Today, I have been out of sorts.  I woke up a 3 a.m. bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to get busy.  Sigh...hormones I suppose.  Laundry, straightening the house, cleaning off the diningroom table, straightening the kitchen and a few other little chores were done before 5 a.m. when my husband got up.  When he left for work I started getting sleepy so I went back to bed.  I don't think I should have done this...

I went down to a friend's house to have a chat before schooling lessons were started.  Upon my return...I noticed that my teenage son was not awake.  Sigh...schooling was going to be difficult today, I thought, and I was right.   When my son's routine is messed up he does not do well...and true to form....today was one of those days.  Plus, me having to lie down and keep my leg straight didn't help the rhythm of the day.  :(  We did manage to get some schooling lessons done, but not much.  Tomorrow morning will be quite busy. 

I ended up napping some this afternoon and now I feel wonderful.  Ready to take on the rest of the day. 

Supper is in the crockpot.  It is a recipe that I found years ago on Crystal Miller's blog.

             http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/

She has some really good and healthy recipes along with all the wonderful news of her lovely family.  I might post the recipe with a picture of our meal this evening.  It's name escapes me at the moment, but it is a favorite around the Beale Bungalow.

Well, it is time to tidy up and get ready for my husband to come home.  :)

Sharon


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Potato soup with sausage....

Last night I made a delicious soup for supper.  It was quick and easy.  I got the recipe from an Amish cookbook that my mom gave me years ago.  I thought I would share the recipe with you this morning.



Potato Soup with Sausage

Ingredients:

6 cups of potatoes, diced  (I used 8 cups)
1/2 medium onion, chopped  (I used 1 whole onion)
1 tsp of celery leaves  (I used all the celery heart leaves)
Parsley
1/2 lb. sausage  (I used 1 lb. of Jimmy Dean sausage)
2 cups of milk or cream (I used milk)
1 Tbsp of cornstarch
Salt and Pepper to taste (I used a lot of pepper)
Garnish with cheese (I used cheddar)

Cook potatoes and onions in a pot of water.  Fry sausage.  When potatoes are almost done add celery leaves, parsley and sausage.  Mix cornstarch and milk and add to the potatoes.  Bring to a full boil and boil for two minutes. (I did not do the boiling part.  I was afraid I would scorch the milk.  I just let the soup simmer while the table was being set and ice placed in glasses.)

That was it and it was really yummy! This was a perfect dish for such a cold wintery day.  My son gave it a 10.  My husband an 8.  (He is not too keen on potato soups of any sort and to get an 8 was a good thing.)    Let me know if you try it.

According to the weather forecast last evening--today is supposed to be the coldest day since 2010.  Yikes!  Maybe I should have made this soup tonight instead of last night.  Oh well, I will have a nice hot supper tonight, too.  I haven't decided what it will be but it will be hot!!! 

My knee is still terribly tender and I am walking with a limp to prevent further injury, so today will be a slow one.  A little chore done...rest...another chore done...rest....a schooling lesson done...rest.  Sigh...  I am hoping that this little problem well resolve itself soon.  Ice packs alternating with a hot wheater heater will continue.  I am thinking of doing an epsom salt poultice today, too.  I will let you know how that goes.

I do have a load of laundry to do, as well as, some vacumming.  Hmm...maybe my son can use some practice with the Oreck?  

Sharon 


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Forced rest....

Well, I have messed up my right knee.  I have no idea what I did to it, but it hurts.  I am rotating heat and ice along with sitting with my leg propped up.  I am viewing this as a forced rest.  I am choosing to relax and not do much so my knee can heal.  I don't really know what from, but heal none the less.

Schooling can be done while I am forced to rest.  My son is really good at doing his studies when I am not at my best.  I suppose that is a strength of being a true *mercy.  This is his spiritual gift.  I used to think of it as a weakness for my son, but I have come to realized what a strength and a blessing his gifting really is.  Times like these he is all sympathy towards mom and that is a good thing.  :)

Another activity I can do sitting down is reading.  I just wish I had something really great to read.  I have a couple of books coming tomorrow from Amazon.com.  They are two books written my Mrs. Sharon White.  She writes a blog that I have enjoyed greatly and I just decided to buy her books.  I identify with her in a few areas and I know these gentle reading books will be a comfort and an inspiration for me.  I need both of these at this time. 

I am planning on having a simple supper tonight.  Potato and Ham soup with a spinach salad on the side.  I will not have to stand much to fix the soup.  All the preparations can be done with my leg elevated.  Check this off my list.

Tonight is my husband's men's prayer group at church.  I think if my knee will allow-I might go to a ladies group.  My son will spend his evening with friends, so Tuesday is shaping up to be a fine day.  God is good.

I think I am going to read some of my bible and rest until it is time to prepare supper.  Have a great day.

Sharon

 

Monday, January 21, 2013

Two unwanted companions...

My heart is beating fast and hard.  I know what this is...Anxiety.  Lack of faith.  Fear.  I loathe this with every fiber of my being!

Yes, I have panic attacks and transition problems.  I have had these two companions of mine for as long as I can remember and I am 52 years old now.  I get what I call a sinking feeling in my stomach, maybe someone likens them to butterflies, but I have held a butterfly and felt it's fluttering....what I am experiencing is nothing like that.  Everything just sinks.  It can be fast as lightening or slow as molasses...all flowing downward.  Yuck...I can't stand it!

Then my thoughts go crazy.  The what ifs show up and stomp around my brain making as much noise as they possibly can.  I can't think about anything true, noble or otherwise.

This is when the tears usually start and my heart beats fast and furious as if it is trying it's best to get away from the thoughts with all it's might.  I start to shake and tremble and my knees get weak.  There are usually two things that happen at this juncture.  I either fall apart or go to sleep.  Sleep is the best for me...I don't feel when I am sleeping.

I have come to accept these co-companions of mine.  I can't seem to get rid of them...so acceptance is the only option.  I know more scripture now that I used to know, plus I am more mature in age and in my walk with Jesus than before...this allows me to rationally speak truth into my soul. 

I know that God is always with me.  I know that He will never leave me nor forsake me.  I know that nothing can separate His Love for me.  I know that I am His child and heir to His Promises, through Jesus His Son.  I know that I am sealed by the Holy Spirit.  When I was younger...I really didn't believe all this Truth.  At 52, not only do I believe it...I live by and these Truths.

I read a book, many years ago, called "Hinds Feet in High Places".  Much Afraid had two companions, too.  I believe their names were "Sorrow and Suffering".  She didn't want these two hombres hanging around either, but they were there because the Great Shepherd wanted them there.  They taught Much Afraid many truths about the Shepherd, so therefore they were an intrical part of the plan He had for her.  I am assuming that panic attacks and transition fear are my *sorrow and suffering* companions for His plan for me.  This makes what I am experiencing today somewhat easier. 

Today, I am not going to fall apart or go to sleep.  Nope!
I must keep my eyes on Jesus.  I must renew my mind daily with His Word.  I must trust in God and God alone.
 
  • Sola Fide, by faith alone.
  • Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.
  • Solus Christus, through Christ alone.
  • Sola Gratia, by grace alone.
  • Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone.


  • Isaiah 41:13 says, "For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you." 

    God's Word also says, in Romans 8:31, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"  

    I will comfort my soul with these two verses today....my heart has slowed down somewhat.  Thank you, Abba.  Help me keep my mind stayed on thee, O LORD. 

    In Jesus Name,
    Amen

    Sharon

    Saturday, January 19, 2013

    Beautiful music, a cup of tea and my thoughts...

    I am sitting here at my dining room table listening to a musical piece by Antonio Bertali, sipping on a cup of hot Earl Grey tea in my favorite mug and thinking about everything I have to do.  I have sooooo... much to do that I become paralyzed and unable to do anything.  It is much easier to sip on tea listening to relaxing music than tackle the mounds of work that I see needing done around me. 
    Now, this does not mean that I will not do the work...oh no.  The work will get done--just not today.  It is Saturday.  A day that I need to get some errands done and spend time with my husband.

    I used to love lists.  I made lists for everything.  Budgets, schooling lessons, book lists, daily chores, groceries, errand itineraries, etc.  I think I will return to my lists.  I just don't want them to rule my life like they once did.  If I didn't complete the entire list for that day...I would feel like a failure.  I do not need to return to that scenerio at all.  So, I need to come up with a flexible list that I cannot make into an idol.  Just something to keep me on track and observing my progress through all my piles of books, papers, and unneeded items. 

    I really don't have to dejunk, clean, repaint, redecorate the entire house in one day.  I just know that I function better in organization than in junky chaos.  It seems that even my thoughts flow more freely within an organized and clean environment.  I am sooo... not a free spirit.  I sometimes wish I was, but God did not make me that way, so now that I seem to be getting back on tract with my walk and life...I need organization.  Sigh...

    I have some fairly big plans for my gardens and backyard this early spring, summer and fall.  It would be nice to get things done in the house before I head outside.  If everything is done inside then I can concentrate on the outside.  I am excited about that!!!

    Surfing the web this morning, I was able to find a few good suburban homesteading sites.  This has perked my interest even more!  :)  Since we don't seem to travel anywhere...these ideas are being formulated into plans and I am hoping they will be glorious tribute to God, blessings to my family, friends and neighbors, teaching tools for my son and a way for my husband and I to work together.  I will keep you posted...

    So, today's family blessings have already started...beds made, house straightened, budget made, supper planned and shopping itenerary now made.  I might throw in a new movie for tonight and some fresh baked treats.  This is going to be a lovely day...God is good.

    I am still praying for my daughter and if anyone reads this please pray for her, too.  She needs a *strong godly older woman* to mentor her.  That is my prayer for her at this time.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

    Sharon

    Thursday, January 17, 2013

    Rain to snow...

    It has  been raining or drizzling for about three days now at the Beale Bungalow.  Snow is forecasted for tonight and we may get about 1 inch of snow by morning.  It will be nice to see some of the white stuff on the ground.  Everything is so gray now and I believe snow would improve the view from my windows. 

    This morning I went to a coffee house with my best girl friends for about 1 and 1/2 hours this morning.  It was nice to see them so early and still be able to go do some shopping and then finish homeschooling lessons with my son.  It turned out to be a nice day, even with the gray sky.

    So, what have I done to love my family and make their day sweeter.  Well, beds made, house straightened, more laundry done and schooling lessons complete.  I also have a cast iron dutch oven filled with homemade beef vegetable stew simmering on the back burner of my stove.  I am getting ready to open one of my mason jars filled with summer peaches to make a peach crisp for dessert tonight.  I think my guys will definitely feel loved from my efforts through the Holy Spirit today.  Though the house is darken because of the lack of sunshine...I am hoping and praying that the aromas of my kitchen and the candles burning will brighten their day.  Sigh...

    The talk of snow, which is a rarity here in Virginia, has me thinking of the verse that says, "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."  Isa. 1:18. 

    Salvation is something that I believe I have taken for granted.  I mean--I am saved--I have fire insurance--let me live as I want.  There is a question that a dear friend will sometime ask, "How is it working for ya?"  Well, this nominal Christianity isn't really working for me.  Oh, I know that I will never be a little Billy Grahamette, but I can make a difference where God has placed me. 

    Now, where has God placed me?  The Beale Bungalow.  This is my greatest sphere of influence, and I fail daily, but God is good and His mercy is new every morning.  I feel as though I have a new calling and it is my old calling...I just have a new heart attitude about my old calling.  It sure seems better and working out my salvation has a sweeter taste about it. 

    Salvation, Jesus making my sins white as snow, should permeate every area of my life.  What I do, what I watch, what I speak, how I speak, what I wear, where I go, what I listen too...etc.  When it snows everything gets covered.  It may melt due to some heat, but snow falls on everything.  Jesus' atoning work in living the perfect life, dying on the cross and then rising from the dead falls on everyone!  Some people may melt the atoning work of Jesus right off themselves because the heat of this world means more to them...then others will gladly receive the atoning work of Jesus and be renewed...Fresh, white, non-trodded receiving this freshness every moment of the day.  Thank you, Jesus for your obedience to the Father. 

    Sharon

    Wednesday, January 16, 2013

    They are new every morning....

    [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness. 

    This verse is from Lamentations 3:23.  The book of affliction written by the prophet Jeremiah.  He and the Jewish nation had much to lament about, but in the midst of everything that God was allowing in Israel...Jeremiah was reminding them and us that God's mercies are new every morning and  His faithfulness is great!!!  I find this so comforting this morning as I sit her and ponder my day.

    I have allowed satan to thwart my thoughts and obedience to my Heavenly Father, and not only does this sadden me, but it also maddens me.  So, for today (this is all that I am promised) I am resolving to love the LORD my God with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength.  Yes!!

    It is a very gray, rainy and cold day outside my little bungalow, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, I want to serve God by making it sunny, pleasant and warm inside my little bungalow.  This is my calling for today..January 16, 2013.

    There are chores to be done, with a cheerful heart.  Homeschooling also, with a cheerful heart.  All of these things are gifts from the LORD...work for my hands, work for my brain, work for my family = work for God.  I have forgotten this equation over the past few years.  I am sorry for this.

    Yes..there is much for me to do today.

    Pick up and put away
    Make my bed
    Do some laundry-from start to finish
    Clean the kitchen
    Clean the bathroom
    Vacuum the floors
    Dust the furniture

    Schooling lessons with Seth

    A time of rest for me with a nice cup of tea

    Then prepare supper.

    Tonight my son goes to Royal Rangers.
     
    Oh, I am still deeply concerned for my wayward daughter...I will pray, praise, and pray some more for her during my day, but satan isn't going to pierce me with his lying darts and arrows today.  I have my Heavenly Father's mercy and His steadfast love today and forever!

    AMEN!!!



    Tuesday, January 15, 2013

    Once again...

    Once again--my heart is broken.  My wayward, beautiful daughter called this morning and tore me apart.  I know that I wrestle not against flesh and blood, but it all still hurts. 

    My daughter was raised very conservatively and in a Christian home, yet she has made several God-less choices and is suffering, greatly.  This is very hard to watch from afar.  We live in Virginia, she lives in New Jersey.  

    Today, everything was my fault.  "I raised her too conservatively because it doesn't work in the real world."  She married against our will and out of the faith, so she is reaping what she has sown.  She is in the blame game now.  It is so hard.

    Love her...don't talk to her...leave her alone....pray for her.  These are some of the things I am being told.  I really don't know what to do.  She is 28 and there really isn't anything I can do.  

    It just really hurts.