Peace....

Philippians 4:7 says "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 

This verse is living within me at this very minute!  It has taken on it's own divine life and giving me life at the same time.  There is much going on in my world, yet I do have this peace that I cannot otherwise explain except that God is dwelling within this simple woman.

John 15:5 says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."  I know that I am abiding in Jesus and He is abiding in me.  The fruit?  Philippians 4:7!  

Sequestration is here.  The authors of sequestration purposely made this plan so distasteful that it would force the Democrats and the Republicans to work in a bipartisan partnership to prevent the plan from being enforced.  Well, the split between the two parties is so large that, obviously, partnership did not and will not happen, therefore the  governmental spending cuts are here and they are cutting deep...very deep.

Our little family is looking at somewhere between 14-22 days without pay until October.  That is a 20% cut of our income during this period.  (This calculates out to being more than our food budget every pay period.)  Wow!  That is a great deal of money for us, but I am not concerned...I am at peace.  God has and always will supply all of our needs.  

My daughter is having such a hard time.  (Much of her own making...)  She is always depressed, angry, uncontrollable, crying and wanting to commit suicide.  Yet, #1-she has not committed suicide and #2-she is a child of the King of Kings and LORD of Lords.  There is no way satan can kill her!  He has NO authority over her.  My daughter is the daughter of this same God.  God has a covenant with me and my offspring.  My God will heal my daughter and set her feet on solid ground!!  He is bound by His Word.  Peace is coming in this extremely painful area of my world.  I am, with much prayer, covering my daughter and her family with the blood and power of Jesus the Messiah!!  This is the REAL protective force field, if you will.  Nothing can penetrate the precious blood of my Saviour!!  Nothing!  By abiding in this particular Word of the LORD...the peace that passeth all understanding is present.

My son has so many learning problems and maturing problems...this, too is a source of great pain and agony in my world.  But, I learned last night that whatever the great I AM is...I possess and so does my beloved son.  He is going to read.  How do I know?  Because the One Who wrote the Bible lives inside my son and that truth alone is going to be spoken into my son by his "abiding in Christ" momma!  He will read!  God has a plan for my boy!  Here comes that peace again.

My husband is not a leader.  I am not a leader.  I am a follower.  When a wife, who is not a leader is not being led, she feels exposed!  Vulnerable!  Unsecured!  BUT, I am a follower of Jesus the Messiah!  I have a leader!  I have THE Leader!!  If I abide in Him--He WILL abide in me and fruit will grow!  I, therefore, can love and respect my husband as the man he is, by knowing that I have the Perfect Husband ready to call me to Him. 

My husband has the right, by God's Word (Proverbs 31:10-31, Titus 2:3-5, Proverbs 18:22..the list can go on and on) to be loved and respected and I have determined to do this, in the Power of the Holy Spirit, in the Name of Jesus, for God's Glory, until one of us leaves for Home.  This is my sacrificial life I have been called to.  " I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."  Romans 12:1  Peace has come to our home and my marriage.

There is so much work to be done in and around my little bungalow.  Cleaning, decluttering, painting, sewing, weeding, composting, planting, canning, schooling, shopping, laundry...the list is endless.  I have the tendency to want everything done yesterday.  Patience--with myself and my work--is a bit on the low side.  BUT...the I AM is Patience, so therefore, I have patience. 

My work is not glorious, but it is necessary.  My work is forever continous.  (The laundry is proof enough of this!)  But it IS noble work, because it is what God has me doing.  I think God is more into the process of my work than the timing of my work.  Peace is creeping in on this Type A, detail oriented, left brained woman.

So, I am being truthful when I say I have peace about the furlough situation due to sequestration.  I am also being truthful when I say that the "peace that passeth all understanding" is filtering into other areas of my life.  :) 

My Heavenly Father is truly talking with me as I walk with Him.  He wants EVERYTHING!  My heart, soul, strength, thoughts, family, finances, work, plans, plants, desires, possessions, clothes, entertainment, time, hobbies, etc....He wants it all. 

Maybe I am finally willing to give it to Him.  Peace will be the result.  I certainly am ready for this "peace that passeth all understanding."  It is all mine because I have faith in God and His Word.  Sigh.....

\o/

 













 

Thoughts on a crisp Saturday morning....

Today is Saturday, April 6, 2013.  It is a beautiful, crisp, sun filled day.  The birds are all 'twitterpated' and I am noticing a few flying insects out and about this morning.  I do believe that the season of Spring is finally here.  Good bye to the bare, gray, cold, dormant time and Hello! to the full, green, warm, fruitful time of the year.

This morning I am in pain!  :(  Everything hurts!  My neck, shoulders, hips, knees, calves, ankles and feet---all hurt.  I know what the problem is but I sure don't want to face it.  So, for now I will change the subject.

I have been watching the news--reading the news--pondering the news.  I believe the end times are upon us...at least the birth pangs of the times.  There is no fear at this point, just sadness...lots of sadness. 

Reading the news this morning I am reminded of a Sunday School lesson.  The main thought of this particular lesson was this...Non-Believers act like non-believers.  This has been my conclusion this morning.  The world is full of people that do not follow Jesus and that is why the world is going to hell in a hand basket. 

We, American believers, think that we can fight and win the battle for the soul of our country through our government officials and processes.  The majority of our leaders place their hand on a Bible that they do not believe in and take an oath to uphold a document (that they want to change to meet the criteria of modern America)  which was written by men who believed in the Sovereignty of God and the divine purpose of the United States of America--and we are frustrated that our country is going down a slippery slope at the speed of light.  It is a mockery and God will not be mocked! 

Are we called to put all of our eggs in a post modern government or are we called to follow Jesus and make disciples of men?  I am quite sure it is the latter not the former. 

I do believe that because we are Americans and have the right to vote, etc.--we should-- but this process is not to be our god...our form of North American idolatry. 

Am I as a follower of Jesus-first...living as I should for the glory of God and the evangelism of mankind?  Being an American is way down on my list...."Seek ye the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall added unto you." Matthew 6:33.  I guess God through His Holy Spirit and Word are showing me how to live on a different plane.

Am I as a follower of Jesus...living my life as a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, consumer etc. as the Logos says.  Or...am I so very much an American that I want to sit back on my hunches and live out the American dream....which from my observation is "the wide path leading to destruction." Matthew 7:13.

I, swiping my hand across my forehead, believe we have missed the mark.  We are to be evangelizing the world.  I have found myself in fearful states thinking about traveling to other countries to bring the good news of Jesus the Messiah and King.  Yet, to tell you the truth...I don't really sense God calling me to another country for this purpose.  He is wanting to use me right here.  Right here, but perhaps in a new way.  This is a matter of prayer. 

The time is short and being 52 years old...my time is shorter than yesterday.  I am beginning to see the road that I am on and its name is "the road to Damascus".  There is a change coming....

Maybe the majority of my pain is coming from within...it is called sin.  Hmmm....

Thank you, Abba for removing scales from eyes, warming hearts with Your Spirit and Your Word.

\o/

Spring is coming and I am ready.....

It is an absolutely beautiful, sunny, crisp day outside my windows and doors.  The sky has the hopeful smile of spring like temperatures on it's horizon.  The smell on the gentle breezes seem to be announcing that warmer temperatures and gardening season is trying its best to get to the Beale Bungalow!  I, for one, am ready!  Though I did not get the snow that I prayed for this past winter....I am just ready for a different season and some different chores.

Spring fever is rising up inside of everyone I know and I am no exception to this truth.  Now that my knee surgery is behind me and I only have a few more sessions with the physical therapy side of my recovery--I can think of no better therapy--holistically speaking--than weeding, composting, planting and tending a garden!  I am sure my knee will get a good work out, but more importantly so will my spirit!  :)

I haven't really thought of all that I am going to plant, but with the view outside my window...I am beginning to plan for my garden contents.  I know that the staples will be there....tomatoes, peppers, squashes, and cucumbers.  I just don't know what else I wish to try.  Oh the endless possibilities!!!  

I am in a reflective mood today...I have come to the conclusion that I really don't understand anything!  I don't  understand how my life has turned out the way it has.  All my thoughts are jumbled....like my computer room at present.

See what I mean.  Everything is out and scattered.  I have boxes to put them in I just can't seem to get my thoughts in them.  All junky and collecting dust.  Sigh...

I would much rather my thoughts be more like my bedroom.

Neat, tidy, everything in its place, polished, painted and dust free.  Sigh.... 

I don't understand what exactly God is doing to my family.  That is another blog entry entirely.  My heart aches for the pain and misunderstandings that my little unit of love is experiencing.  I just pray that everyone would just stop and read, take to heart and live out Psalm 121.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

This would prevent a great deal of pain and fear...like I said...maybe another posting....

A nicer change of subject...I am somewhat anxious to return to my spring cleaning agenda.  I truly want my house back in order.  Painted, fresh, uncluttered...a bit of heaven on earth.  As soon as the PT department allows me to climb ladders...I will be painting!!!  I am actually getting excited about painting.  This is not me....I loathe painting walls and woodwork, but the "clean" is what I am after.  I have most of my colors chosen...I just need the okay.  :)

I have more energy today than I have had for the past couple of days.  I really think it was the holiday.  I just get plain ol' worn out after them.  I am rested and it shows this morning.  I have two loads of laundry done...a third on it's way.  The master bedroom sheets have been changed.  The house straighten, the bathroom soaking for a good cleaning, dishes washed and the awakening of the son process begun.  I think today is going to much more productive than yesterday!  Yippee!

I have an appointment to get my stitches out today.  Yes!  I will be glad when they are gone.  They just bug me, especially when I am doing my home therapy.  It will be nice to have them out.  It is one more step to being totally recovered from my surgery, and for this I am thankful!!!

Well, my washing machine and dryer have stopped.  This has allowed me to hear all the song birds outside my window.  Both sounds have their place.  Both sounds have their beauty.  One is the sound of clean clothes--the other is a sound of God's creation.  So far....I like today.

\o/


















   

I am glad yesterday is over....

Resurrection Day is over, yet everyday is Resurrection Day for the follower of Jesus! 

This is a wonderful, blessed truth, and I totally believe it....but the day after a holiday, any holiday....I sink down...way down.  I think it has something to do with just being tired.  Holidays, 100%, fall on me, and it totally wears me out.  So, needless to say, yesterday was not a good day for me.

I woke up and everything seemed okay, but I made a mistake in my scheduling.  I thought I was getting these bothersome stitches out of my knee.  I woke my son up and we rushed off to my doctor's office only to find out that my appointment isn't until Wednesday.  Bummer!  (I actually had a physical therapy appointment at 2 p.m. with stitches intact.)  :(

Okay, back up and regroup.  I was not starting schooling lesson until Tuesday, so my son and I went on to 17th Street Surf Shop and bought his skate board.  I don't do baskets at Easter, so my husband and I decided to get our son a gift card.  He has been wanting a new skateboard, so we put a sum of money on the card and he would have to pay whatever went over that sum.  Needless to say, our son was thrilled with his Easter gift and gladly put in the remaining amount to purchase the board he wanted.  (I also explained by putting up a portion of the money he would be more satisfied and realized that nothing comes "free".) 

I do believe that our son had a great time picking and choosing the board, trucks and wheels.  He got exactly what he wanted.  Every now and then he would look to me for approval...I would just smile and say it is your board not mine (Thank you, Abba!!) and he would have to foot the final bill.  So, the decisions were his and his alone.  The dread locked gentleman that waited on us was so very nice.  I was watching him and I noticed that he kept looking at my son...then I realized that he realized that my son was different.  Slower than the average 15 year old and definitely conversationally awkward.  What I admired about this salesman...he treated him with respect and talked with both of us, not just me.  This made me feel much better and I will go back to this shop.  :)

We then ventured over to BJ's and we did some grocery shopping.  This is where I noticed a problem....my leg was getting really tired.  It was like it didn't want to move--at all!!!!  I became worried and really wanted to head for home.   My son, who was anxious to try out his new board, had no objections to cutting our outing short and going home.

After the groceries were put away....I ended up taking some pain medication and resting on the couch until my PT appointment.  While I was resting...my thoughts started wondering and I found myself in a funk.  Tearing up prior to having my knee painfully bent is not a good thing.  Prayer flares went up...tennis shoes went on and before I knew it I was out the door and on my way.

Therapy went quite well...my knee is getting stronger and more limber.  The therapist thought that my Birkenstock shoes I always wear were causing my leg to be sluggish.  Not enough posterior support...so, I am going to have to go and buy new shoes.  (For the average woman this would be a great pleasure , but for me...a drag....I despise shopping.)  I haven't bought anything for myself in so long....I have no idea where to even begin.  I guess I will have to count on my friends for help in this area.....sigh...

Anyway...as I said my therapist was so very pleased with my progress that he sent me home to ice my own knee.  :(  I was hoping he would put that icing compression wrap on my leg again.  I really loved that!  I could have "danced all night" after having that treatment, but alas, it was not to be....home I went...for a date with my old blue/gray ice pack.  sigh....

I needed to veg out some...."The Hobbit" fit the bill.  I just sat with my trusty old ice pack on my knee and my friend's dog at my side and watched this movie.  My son was outside on his skateboard, of course, and I was inside trying to not be so down. 

Since I was not in the most festive of moods I decided that I would try a new recipe for supper.  A casserole of course...I didn't want a bunch of dishes to clean up afterwards.  I think the fitting word for this is "Laziness".  Yep, I wanted to be lazy, so I found this little recipe and it was actually good.  My husband gave it a 10 on a scale of 1-10.  My son said 10, as well, but I don't think he really liked it much.  He was just trying to boost my morale.  I thought it was sweet of him at any rate.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients--

1 pound of hamburger-browned and seasoned

2 cups of grated potatoes

2 cups of cooked corn

cheese

That is it....now...I added onion and browned them with the hamburger.

After the hamburger is browned...cover with the grated potatoes.  On top of the potatoes....spread the cooked corn.  Then cover the whole meal with cheese.  I used American cheese slices, but you could use any cheese...sliced or grated of your choice and availability. 

Cover the skillet with a lid.

Put the heat on low.

Simmer until bubbling in the middle occurs.  About 20 minutes.

Tahdah!!!  That is it.  A complete meal in one skillet. (Next time I make this I will add a side salad or fruit, just for a nicer balance).

It was so easy and quick!

Well, that was my day...Everything really went well, it was just that my mind was focused on what I didn't have instead of what I did have.  Shameful!  I figured it out by the time I went to bed.  When my thoughts get like this...I have a hard time fighting them, because the thoughts are all true.  I just don't know how to either change the reasons for these thoughts or to die to the reasons of these thoughts.  Hmmm...

So, today I am up and moving.  There are wonderful homey things on my to do list today.  Schooling lessons, laundry, straighten house, vacuum, weed one garden and maybe plant a couple of plants.  There will be more therapy for me this afternoon then another simple supper.  At least the sun is shining and the air is fresh and clean.

\o/

   

Yesterday was Maundy Thursday...

Maundy Thursday. Many people, actually many Christians, especially from the Protestant branch of Christianity, have no clue what Maundy Thursday is all about. My husband, who is from a Southern Baptist background had no idea what this very special day meant until he met me. He says he never even heard of the name...Maundy Thursday.

Well, I want our son to know, understand and celebrate Maundy Thursday. It is such a beautiful way of learning about the Sacrament of Communion, the new commandment and serving others. It is really awesome when Passover falls on Maundy Thursday, because the lessons just increase 100 fold! God is so good.

Anyway, Maundy Thursday...Maundy means--

[from Old French mandé something commanded, from Latin mandatum commandment, from the words of Christ: Mandātum novum dō vōbīs A new commandment give I unto you]  John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

 

On Maundy Thursday, the church celebrates Jesus washing the disciples feet. I must say that I am becoming more impressed with the new pope. The Catholics take the washing of feet very seriously. The Pope usually washes a bishop's feet during a Maundy Thursday service. Pope Francis washed juvenile prisoners feet this year. What an awesome statement to the Catholic church and the protestant church around the world!  We are to serve one another as Jesus did.  :)
 

So, how was Maunday Thursday celebrated in our home last evening? I made a lovely supper from a recipe that I got off of www.joyofkosher.com . My menu was as follows:
 

Chicken Pastrami Rolls

Buttered corn

Baked potato

Homemade Peach Cobbler for dessert!

 

 

 

It really was easy and delicious!

 

The Chicken Pastrami Rolls took no time to make and what a flavor.  All you need are 1) chicken breast thinly sliced 2) sliced deli pastrami 3) seasoned bread crumbs and 4) Italian salad dressing. 

 

Place the thinly sliced chicken breasts in some the Italian salad dressing making sure that both sides get completely coated.  Press only one side of the chicken breast in the seasoned bread crumbs. Place a slice of pastrami on the chicken breast.  Roll the chicken breast and place seam side down in a prepared 9 X 13 pan.  Repeat with the rest of the chicken breast.  Drizzle a little more dressing on the breaded rolls.  Sprinkle some more seasoned bread crumbs on top of the rolls.  Spray the top of the rolls with Pam or any oil spray.  Place in a 350 degree oven.  Baking time depends on the thickness of the chicken breast.  20-30 minutes.  Serve hot!

 

We had a lovely meal.  We talked about our day.  My husband is a very slow eater.  It was a little difficult keeping our son at the table, but I told him I had something special planned.  Plus, he could smell the cobbler baking in the oven!  

 

Finally, my husband finished the meal....we cleared away the dishes.  I brought out three wine glasses with Kedem grape juice and a piece of matzah wrapped in a napkin.  I placed the matzah in front of our son.  His eyes became intrigued and I went with it. 

 

 I started to explain what Maundy Thursday represented.  Our son would answer questions and he even interjected scripture on his own.  I knew that he was really understanding what was being taught.  I explained about the Passover feast, the washing of the disciples feet, the meaning of the third cup of wine at the Seder, the new commandment and Judas' betrayal.  (What I didn't realize was how intently my husband was listening.)

 

I tried to stay chronologically with scripture.  Our son kept bringing up Judas and his betrayal, so we talked about that. 30 pieces of silver!  The Creator and Redeemer of the world..the Only Begotten betrayed for 30 pieces of silver!  Then I explained how we betray Jesus for even less that 30 pieces of silver!  Needless to say...eyes became wide and I had not only our son's attention, but my husband's as well.  Yes, we betray Jesus daily...computer time, food, daydreaming, video games, minecraft, Lego's, complaining, coveting the world and it's toys, fretting over sequestration and our government.  The list was extensive!

 

It came time for the communion service of our evening.

 

 

 

I explained that the juice was a representation of the spilled blood of the Perfect Lamb-the very Son of God!  How sin has always been cleansed with blood and only blood--until the willing sacrifice of Jesus.  "Do this in memory of me."  We drank.  There was a  reverential quiet that filled our little dining room.

 

The matzah, unleavened bread.  The hasty exodus of the Jews from Egypt--the working of leaven throughout the whole dough representing sin--the cleansing of the home of all forms of leaven prior to the Passover--the breaking of the bread and the Last Supper-- Jesus on the cross--Then the worst!   “At three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which is translated, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:46). The very first and only time from eternity past, present and future--God the Father had to turn His Holy Presence away from His Only Begotten Son! 

 

(How painful this must have been for the Father as well.  I really have never thought of the crucifixion from God's point of view before, until tonight.  I believe this Holy Grief must have been played out in the darkness and storm that took hold of Jerusalem that day!) 

 

I explained how this was the plan from the beginning.  No one killed Jesus, not the Jews, not the Romans, no one!  Jesus willing allowed His body to be beaten and broken to atone for the sins of His Chosen.   "And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  Luke 22:19  

 

It was here that I had our son take up the matzah (after being told that when he breaks the matzah to listen to the crushing sound--Jesus was crushed for him.  Matzah has stripes and holes in it.  By His stripes we are healed and He was pierced for our transgressions.  God even uses modern matzah to tell of His Son's atoning sacrifice).  He took the matzah and very reverently broke it.  The quiet that had filled our home was now filled with this crackling, crunching sound and we were intensely aware that Jesus was broken for us.  Our son was instructed to give a piece to his earthly father and his mother....then we ate.  The reverent quietness returned.

 

I then turned to my husband and asked him to pray and thus ending our Maundy Thursday home church service.  Remember I said I was not aware of how intently my husband was listening?  Here is where I found out.  My husband spread his arms with palms turned upwards towards heaven and with a trembling voice prayed a beautiful prayer to our God.  He thanked Him for the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son for our sins and our atonement.  He prayed that this evening not be forgotten and that we live each day for God and God alone.  I could tell that this prayer was not rote....but from the heart. 

 

 God was in our little dining room last evening.  I do believe He was enjoying our Maundy Thursday home service, because it was from the heart.  There was no pretense.  There was no scripted service.  There was no one to draw our attention away from His Glory.  Just the three of us sitting around our table worshipping and truly remembering His Sacrifice and Everlasting Love.

 

\o/

 

 

Just recuperating...

There really isn't much to tell.  I am just recuperating from my arthroscopic knee surgery to clean up a posterior medial menicus tear in my right knee.  I am not spring cleaning at the moment, but I will start back as soon as I can bend my knee.

I went to physical therapy yesterday....everything is good except the bending of my knee.  I am supposed to be a 135 degrees....I am only at 90 degrees and this is with a great deal of burning pain.  Sigh...

I must say that I am a bit unsettled for some reason.  I am grumpy...(inside--I am trying to not be grumpy on the outside for my guys sake).  I just have too much time on my hands for pondering all my thoughts to death.  This will pass- soon I hope.

\o/

Day 9...

Well, tomorrow is surgery day; today is clean everything in sight day, put casseroles together day and try to get some groceries day. I don't think the last one is going to happen.  I am bone tired and my leg is killing me!  :(

Anyway, I cannot leave everything for my husband to do when I am down for a couple of days recuperating from arthroscopic surgery.  I just believe I should have all my and his ducks in a row before I go under.  Ewww....   Therefore, today has been especially busy.

Everything has been dusted.  The floors have been vacuumed and mopped.  The kitchen and bathroom has been cleaned and scrubbed.  The rest of the laundry will be done in the morning.  (I need something to do while waiting until time to go to the hospital.)  The appliance repairman came this morning and I my oven and exhaust hood lights are in perfect working order!  I did not know how much I would miss my oven, but I did!  ($185!!!---but all paid for in cash.  FPU came through again!)  So, my casseroles are not being made in vain...

I did do some more spring cleaning though; the refrigerator corner is all done!!!  I have made it all around the room now.  The walls are just going to have to wait.  I am too sore and tired to any painting.  Plus, I really have not settled on  a color.  Everytime I think I have chosen a color...I change my mind.  Sigh...

So, the joint accomplishments (my son and myself) are very nice--even though I do say so myself.

 
I actually had some Pampered Chef baking stones up in this cabinet that I totally forgot about!  I need to talk to my friends to learn how to use them!  They have never even been out of the box!  I just forgot about them; I don't even remember buying them...oh well.  I also discovered that I am a closet disposable cup hoader!  I had 6 packages of them!  Out of sight---out of mind.  I ended up with a great deal of space in this cabinet.  Yippeee!!

My compost bin got a real good feeding today!  The worms will be very happy about that.  I can actually see the shelves!  Now, I have a place to put my recuperation casseroles.

Nice and clean!  I can check this off my list!  Thank goodness!

Now, onto resting up for my surgery tomorrow!  I am praying all goes well....duh!  I am not really anxious about it...I just want my family taken care of when I am recuperating.  :)  This is when I can really understand the Proverbs 31 Woman....  :)

\o/