Serving Christ

You serve Christ by serving your husband, whether your husband deserves it or not...The more you seek to obey God by being a good help meet to your man, so much the more you will come to know God; and the more you know him, the more you will care about the things he values. God's rules {the wife submitting to the husband, in this case} are not there to put you in bondage, but to help you make a man want to cherish, protect, and love you.

Debi Pearl

Serving, submission,...not good words to hear in our society today.  Most people think that means that you are not equal to your husband in value or that it gives him the right to beat you.  That is so far from the truth.  Serving and submission are for our good. 

In every organization, there is a leader and followers.  This is the way God set up the family also.  The husband is the leader, the wife is the follower.  It doesn't mean the wife has any less value than the man or gives him the right to abuse his wife, it is there to create order and harmony. 

Two leaders never work.  That is a recipe for disorder and strife.  I know, I tried to be the leader for many years.  It didn't work.  Since I have allowed Ken to be the leader, he cherishes me, wants to protect men, and loves me.  God's ways are so good!

Ear Infections In Children

My children got ear infections when they were small.  I tried the antibiotic route and they would just continue getting ear infections. Alyssa even had tubes put into her ears.  The book I always referred to when I was raising children was How To Raise Healthy Children In Spite Of Your Doctor.  It is written by Dr. Mendelsohn who was a pediatrician for 30 years.  He treated many children with ear infections.  He found that those treated with antibiotics healed in the same amount of time as those not treated with antibiotics.  However, those treated with antibiotics had reoccurring infections and those not treated, did not. 

He believed the immune system was able to build up an immunity to the infection, if it was allowed to fight it without antibiotics. He suggests taking them off all sugar. He gives this advice whenever they get sick with anything. Put warm olive oil into their ear, not hot, but warm.  Then put a heating pad on the ear and give them Tylenol, if the pain is bad.  When I tried this with my youngest daughter, it worked wonders.  Her body was able to eventually fight the infection and she was completely free from ear infections. Some VERY good drops to put into an ear to help it heal quickly is Wally's Ear Oil. It is a blend of almond oil, with essential oils of tea tree, eucalyptus, echinacea root, garlic, and mullein.

Another thing you may want to try is Manuka Honey diluted with some distilled water and put some drops in the ear since it is known for it's ability to fight infections. Do everything you can to keep your children off of drugs, if at all possible. They don't help a body build a strong immune system. Just remember, I am not a doctor and I am only sharing with you what I have learned and what worked for me!

Chip On Your Shoulder

How many of you go around with a chip on your shoulder?  Upset about what your husband or friend said or did to you?  Taking it personally and getting into a tizzy about it?  Debi Pearl states,

I never have a chip on my shoulder, no matter how offended I have a right to be....(Instead) Live with thanksgiving, forgiveness, and joy, and enjoy all your moments as if they were your last.  Someday, soon enough, they will be.

What freedom this advice has brought to my life!  I use to be a ping-pong ball of emotions.  If Ken was treating me fairly, I was happy.  As soon as he did something I didn't like, I was unhappy.  Now, whether he is acting as I wish or isn't, I am happy.  I don't let things bother me anymore.  I realize I am not perfect and I don't know everything, so I let him (and others) be them self.  I think he would say he enjoys life a lot more now also!

Life is way too short to make anybody else's life miserable.  We never know when the Lord will take us home.  Live each day as if it were your last.  Love other people and be very patient with them, especially your husband if you have one.  It is the right thing to do.  It is a good thing.

Getting Sweeter

The sweeter I am to him, the more he likes me, and the more I like myself...We make life so complicated with our demands to be treated fairly.

Debi Pearl

We go to Door County, Wisconsin every summer.  Our cabin is two hours from the airport.  One summer as we were leaving the cabin to go to the airport, our children were arguing about something "not being fair." 

My husband gave them a two hour lecture on life not being fair all the way to the airport.  I am sure every single one of them remembers that lecture.  It worked!  We never heard those words come out of our children's mouth after that.  This made for a pleasant home life. 

They never argued about who would sit in the front seat of the car...EVER.  When their piece of cake was smaller than someone else's, they didn't complain.  They NEVER wanted a two hour lecture from dad ever again! ;)

I have found that first sentence to be so true in my marriage.  The sweeter I am to him, the more he likes me, and the more I like myself.  I use to always have pity parties, because I didn't think that he treated my fairly. 

What a waste of time...Like that was going to make him like me more?  I don't know what I was thinking.  Thankfully, I have learned the truth and the truth has definitely set me free from my selfish, unthankful self.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice makes perfect.  Practice having a merry and thankful heart...You can practice joy and thanksgiving just as easily (as practicing discord), and certainly with more pleasure. 

Every day, every right response makes the fingers of your soul find the notes of joy and thanksgiving easier and easier...Learn to enjoy life. Be thankful. Smile.

When you catch yourself becoming irritated or disturbed at circumstances, stop and laugh at the little things that steal your peace.  Count your blessings and learn to be appreciative.

Debi Pearl

I practiced the piano for 17 years...17 LONG years!  I even took it in college.  I am NOT musically talented at all, so it was difficult for me.  But guess what...I became a pretty good piano player.  I could play Bach and Beethoven like no body's business. However, I NEVER play anymore, because it just isn't my talent and I didn't enjoy it  but it proved to me that you can do whatever you set your mind to as long as you are willing to practice. 

Well, eight years ago, I set my mind to being cheerful and thankful.  It wasn't my natural disposition but with practice, I am pretty good at it.  I am sure my family would agree.  Life is SO much better being happy and thankful.  Try practicing it today.  It makes life a whole lot more fun!

A Thankful Spirit

A wise woman sets a joyful mood in her home.  Through laughter, music, and happy times, she creates a positive attitude in her children.  She knows that a lighthearted home relieves her husband of stress.

Debi Pearl

I think my sister, Alisa, actually lives this out.  Every one loves being around her because she is so much fun...generous, laughs a lot, loves adventure, loves to entertain and be entertained.  She celebrated her 50th birthday last year for a month!!!  Her children, I think, would rather be around her than anybody else.  She has a million friends and I am not even exaggerating...well, maybe a little.

Another person that reminds me of this is my daughter-in-law, Erin.  She should have been named "Sunshine".  She is especially happy now that she is married to a "stud" {as she calls him} and has a precious baby.  She loves flowers and dresses that twirl when she spins around.  She's generous and loves people.  Ryan is one blessed man to have her as his wife.

We all love being around happy people.  All the years I was sick, it was impossible to be happy but I tried very hard to not complain, but at least to be pleasant to be around.  Now that I am feeling better, it is much easier to be joyful.  Sometimes I have to remind myself to be happy, but it works every time I do.  Make a decision to be thankful and joyful.  Your family and friends will love it!

Stand By Your Man

God stands with you when you stand by your man, but you will stand alone if you insist on standing by your rights.  Always remember that the day you stop smiling is the day you stop trying to make your marriage heavenly, and it is the first day leading to your divorce proceedings.

God's will is for a wife to have a merry heart, a cheerful countenance and a glow that will refresh the most stressed and tired husband on the planet.  Bubbling cheer goes a long way to maintain or even restore a marriage.  Make a decision right now to break the "poor me" habit.  Today, put it down as sin and rebellion, and then tomorrow, wake up with joy in your heart and home.

Debi Pearl

The day I started smiling at Ken was the day our marriage started healing and heading in the right direction.  It was a decision I made.  It is a choice to be cheerful.  Created To Be His Help Meet is so powerful and there are so many nuggets of truth in it that I am going to be taking out quotes frequently and posting them with my added thoughts. 

My goal is to encourage young women to be the wives that God intended them to be and nobody that I have read states it better than Debi Pearl.  So I pray that God will bless this journey, bless my writing, and all those of you who read, with a heavenly marriage.

The Secret To Happiness

A thankful heart...That is the secret. Every day wake up and thank the Lord for all the good things in your life.  Continue this practice throughout the day.  When you focus on all the good things in life, you will be happy.  This is why God tells us to dwell on the lovely, pure, good, and holy.

It is not what you have that is important.  It is what you believe and God never fails and He never forgets.  Reminding ourselves who is in control gives us peace.  He is on His throne.  NOTHING happens to us unless He allows it and He will use it for our good.  He is worthy of our trust. If we keep a thankful, joyful heart, and learn to trust God, we will have peace all of the time. 

It is not the problems, but how you meet them that counts.  You do your part, and God will do the rest.  When you need a job, get up off the couch and look diligently, then God will do His part.  When you need a home, pray continually and start looking for one, then God will do His part.  If you want a spouse, pray and keep your eyes and possibilities open, then God will do His part.  He is faithful.

He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

 Proverbs 15:15

The words in bold are taken from a book entitled,  First We Have Coffee by Margaret Jensen.

Take Him As He Is, Part 2

Heather and I came across these two statements in Debi Pearl's book yesterday as I was mentoring her.  They confirmed what I wrote about yesterday in not trying to change your husband or the man you will marry~

A man will resist with all his might those who come against him.  Most women spend their whole married lives in conflict with their husbands, trying to change them.  It is a battle of the wills that no woman has ever rightly won, for even if she gets his compliance, she loses his heart, and he loses his self-respect.

When a woman resists or tries to change a man, she makes him more stubborn, and her own heart will be filled with bitterness.  If a woman obeys God, a man does not have anything to come against, to resist, to dominate, to conquer, or to beat down.  A woman's greatest power is in obeying God through obeying and honoring her husband.

It is just so sad that it takes so many of us so many years to figure this out...All those wasted years of marriage that could have been really good, if I had loved him as he was instead of always being in conflict.   It is NEVER too late to change...Thank the good Lord for that.

Take Him As He Is

Take him as he is, and you will be happy.  He loves God, the library, and you...in that order. Always keep dinner warm in the oven. *  This is the advice Margaret's mother gave her on the day of her wedding.  Very wise advice, I think.  You can't change your husband.  Let me repeat that,  "YOU CAN'T CHANGE YOUR HUSBAND!"  I know...I tried for 23 years and all I got was a lousy marriage. 

You can't make him love you. 

You can't make him treat you special. 

You can't make him help you with housework. 

You can't make him give up his sports. 

You can't make him love going to parties.

Oh, you can try, but it will just destroy your marriage.  So advise the younger women to think carefully before they marry someone.  Are the habits and actions of the man they want to marry something they can live with?  If not, don't marry him and don't try to change him into the man that you want him to be.  The only person you can change is yourself.  So work on yourself and let the Lord work on your husband.  He does a much better job, trust me.

*First We Have Coffee by Margaret Jensen

Generosity Amidst Poverty

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 

II Corinthians 8:2

This verse always stuns me...severe trial, extreme poverty...overflowing joy and rich generosity.  Those phrases just don't fit together, do they?  In God's economy they do.  Here we live in the richest nation that has ever existed in the history of mankind and people grumble and complain about not having enough. 

Our problems are due to our excesses {obesity, heart disease, sexually transmitted diseases, etc.}, not our lack of anything. All our needs are met, but not all of our wants, so there is deep dissatisfaction.  Very sad...

Maybe our true lack is spiritual.  People are running around trying to fill that emptiness with stuff, experiences, pleasures, food, etc. but it leaves them empty.  God is the only one that can fill that emptiness.  He makes all things new.  When we have Him, we have everything.  Let Him fill you up and you won't leave hungry or thirsty anymore. Out of you will flow rivers of living water so you can refresh others with true life whether you are rich or poor materially. 

You can also be generous with your food, time, and stuff even when you have very little, because you do reap what you sow. He wants us to be generous. He owns everything.  He is our provider and sustainer.  When we have little materially and we still are generous with it, that is when we see what an amazing provider the Lord is and how He keeps His promises.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

What Exactly is Moderation?

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is near.

Philippians 4:51.

So what is moderation~

Not giving into extremes.

Exhibiting self-control in all areas of your life.

Practically, I think it means eating until satisfied, drinking a little wine, 
doing nothing to extremes.

It means you don't~

Keep your house perfect, so it becomes more important than children 
or entertaining people.

Work too much, so you don't have time to spend with family and friends.

Talk too much, but learn to listen and care about others.

Exercise so much that it takes time away from your spouse or family, 
but instead to stay fit and healthy.

Spend lots of money on yourself, instead of realizing that all we have is a gift from Him and He wants us to be generous with our money and stuff.

Watching television, being on the computer, talking on the phone 
so much that we neglect our home.

Living for fun, a seeker of pleasure, rather a seeker of God.

Letting anything become an idol in your life other than God...

A balanced life seeks to honor God in all that you do and say and eat and watch...What does moderation look like to you? What do you have to work on to exhibit to a dark world what moderation looks like? Remember, we start working on it and God sweeps in behind us with His mighty power to help us accomplish it.  We are promised that we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us.  Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

picture source

Complaining and Arguing

There it is again...Do all things without complaining or arguing. {Philippians 2:14}  Did you notice the word "all"?  How did the Church miss this? We are taught to teach the couples we mentor how to argue fairly, but Scripture teaches us to NOT argue at all, so I would much rather teach them to not argue than how to argue. 

I have already written a lot about arguing and how I stopped arguing with my husband.  It has been wonderful!  It makes for a much more peaceful and pleasant life.  How many marriages and friendships could be saved if this simple admonition was taken seriously and practiced?

It is so easy to complain.  I walk 45 minutes every day. The last 15 minutes is all uphill. Every day I am tempted to say, "Now for the hardest part" but I have caught myself, because I remember I am not to complain about anything.  My neck flared up again and I have been flat on my back icing it for the past week.  It is so tempting to complain about the cards I have been dealt having a bad neck and being bed-ridden for a lot of the past 20 years, but I remind myself I am not to complain and to accept it willingly.

Mark Driscoll calls it "sanctified suffering", because, as a believer, God uses my suffering to be made more like Jesus.  Besides, nothing is accomplished by complaining, except to take away the enjoyment of others and not please our Lord. 

We are not even suppose to complain about the weather, instead, everything we say should be good and pleasing.  Instead, wake up and say, This is the day that the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it!   The words you speak have a lot of power over your behaviour and mind-set.

I know I write a lot about these issues, especially regarding marriage, but we are told to encourage one another daily.  We get so bombarded with messages from society that it is easy to drown out Truth.  I love being reminded of Truth and teaching Truth.  I hope you do also!

Blessed and Happy Part 2

Yes, this is how I serve...rocking my grand baby and kitten.  I just can't get enough of it!  This truly makes me blessed and happy.

Blessed and Happy

The Bible says we will be blessed and happy if we....are well fed? 

Have all the stuff we could ever want? 

Live in a big house near the ocean? 

Married an incredible man who waits on us hand and foot? 

Our children are perfect and go to a perfect school? 

Have lots of good friends who love us? 

Have an amazing church where everyone is nice? 

No....The Bible says we are blessed and happy if we wash each other's feet....What?  Yep!  I tried for many years to make other people live up to my standards and serve me. Then I thought I would be happy, but I wasn't at all.  The Bible is right...Imagine that!  The more I have learned to serve others, be generous, and forget about myself, the happier and more blessed I feel.  God keeps His promises.

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet...If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 

John 13:17

I just love God's ways.  They are so good.

The Power Of A Woman

Although a good woman can lift up a poor husband, a good man cannot make up for the deficits of a poor wife and create a family with a good reputation. Debi Pearl

The Pearls commented at a conference we went to years ago that they have counseled many men...It didn't change the marriage.  When they counseled women, marriages changed.  I guess it goes along with the verse that states that they {husbands} may be won over without words {from their wives}.  No such promise is given to men.

Should this upset us?  Say, "That's not fair?"  NOOOO!!!  It is amazing the power that God has given women to change a marriage....basically by not arguing, being joyful, serving, and loving!  Be excited about that.  After I read Debi's book, I felt empowered, like I had the keys to a great marriage. I tried it and it worked.  You should try it also.  A great marriage is priceless!

{Now I understand that there are some real bad men out there that no matter how happy and unselfish you are, it wouldn't change a thing.  One of my first posts was about this:  Judas or Peter.  So this isn't a formula that works in all marriages, just most of them.}

The Duggar's Philosophy

I love watching the Duggars.  They have 19 children and they live out their faith.  The children get along so well...It's amazing.  They treat each other with love and respect.  They smile a lot and seem very joyful..The mom and dad love each other.  It is very evident.  They don't have a television and the girls all wear dresses. 

They are not legalistic about this, but just believe it to be best for them.  When asked by Meredith Viera what their secret was to raising good children, the dad responded, "We teach them to love the Lord their God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love others as they love themselves."  That about sums up a perfect philosophy for raising children.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and love others by serving them and looking out for their needs.

And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

Luke 10:27

Are You A Carnal Christian?

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

I Corinthians 3:3

Carnal:  pertaining to or characterized by the flesh or the body, its passions and appetites; sensual: carnal pleasures.

Is there strife and divisions between you and your husband, friends, or family?  Do you still argue?  According to Scripture, this means that you are still carnal.  On the other hand, walking in the Spirit looks like this:  "the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

So examine yourself and make sure that you are in the faith.  Does Romans 7 describe the way you live your life (as a carnal Christian) or does Romans 8 (your new life in Christ)?  Remember "you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you." 

Speak truth to yourself, God's truth, and get to work on that heavenly marriage and/or healthy relationships with friends and family where peace and gentleness exists and gives an example to a dark world what Christ can do for any relationship.  Teach your children this when they are young.  It will make life much more peaceful for them and serve them well.

My Testimony

My home, when I was growing up, was filled with arguing.   My parents argued most of the time.  {They hardly ever argue anymore and truly love each other now.}  It was all I saw in a marriage relationship as a child.  

When I got married, there were many things I wanted to change about Ken.  I knew best and I wanted to make him into the best possible person he could be, because I thought that was my job.  I manipulated, nagged, and tried to control him.  We argued all the time.  I wanted him to treat me special so I thought if I nagged and pouted enough, he would treat me special.  A huge wall was built between the two of us. 

After 23 years of marriage, we decided marriage was basically a partnership.  It was a very sad admission, but it was the conclusion we reached.  That is when I read a book that completely changed my thinking~ 

It told me that my job was to make my husband happy, not holy. 

That I needed to be joyful and happy around him. 

That I needed to learn to please him and serve him. 

That I needed to stop arguing with him and always having to be right. 

I started smiling around him. 

I asked him what pleased him. 

I started thinking positive thoughts instead of negative thoughts about him. 

I decided I needed to be his wife and not his mother. 

I listened to him and let him be right. 

Know what?  He has become the husband that I always wanted him to be.  He adores me and enjoys being with me.  He wants to make me happy.  It amazes me at the ability I had to decide to change my thoughts and behavior that were so destructive to my marriage into thoughts that made a great marriage.

So this is the reason for writing this blog.  I want to be an inspiration to women of all ages that their marriage can get better.  I am that older woman who wants to train the younger women to love and serve their husbands...

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
Titus 2:4

Grade Yourself!

Heather and I decided to grade ourselves.  How good are we at being a help meet?  I mentor Heather once a week on being a godly wife.  She just got married in December and wants to do it right.  She is succeeding.  Her husband adores her and loves coming home to her.  So I challenge you to take the same test and see how good of a help meet you are...

ABC's of being a Help Meet

A - Admit when you are wrong  (I am SO much better at this!...B)

B - Be positive  (Easy...A)

C - Cuddle  (Terrible...D)

D - Do it his way  (Getting better...B)

E - Encourage him  (Pretty good...B)

F - Fix his breakfast  (Does cutting an orange count?...B)

G - Give back rubs ( Can't...bad neck...N/A)

H - Hug often  (Is twice a day often?...C)

I - "I love you" should be said many times daily  (Once a day...D)

J - Joke around in a playful manner  (Improving...C+)

K - Know his needs  (Yes...A)

L - Listen to him  (Most of the time...B)

M - Manage your home well  (A)

N - Never hold grudges  (Not anymore...A)

O - Open your eyes in the morning and smile  (Yep...A)

P - Pray for him  (Every day...A+)

Q - Quit nagging him  (Doing great...A)

R - Reminisce about good times  (Difficult since we've only had good times this past year...C)

S - Show respect and honor ( SO much better...B)

T - Trust, and earn his trust  (Yes, but I had to work at earning his trust...B+)

U - Understand his need for reverence  (Finally...B)

V - Vulnerability is a feminine trait; cultivate it  (Hard one for me...C)

W - Wink at him  (Flirt with him?...B)

X - X is for private times  (A ;)

Y - Yearn to please him  (Yep...A)

Z - Zealously guard him with your love  (by loving and serving him...A)

See...I have been preaching this stuff for eight years and still need work!

Taken from Debi Pearl's book, "Created to Be His Help Meet"

American Idol

This is suppose to be a family friendly show. I don't think it is anymore. The last two nights were awful, morality wise. I love the contestants!!! This has been my favorite show, along with watching the Chargers play football, but I am starting to feel like I need a bath afterwards.

Lady Gaga? How she coached them, what she wears, and her performance? Blech! Jordan Sparks...I didn't enjoy her performance considering she's wearing a purity ring. Steven Tyler's video was inappropriate for children to see. Lauren singing about being evil and Lady Gaga saying being evil isn't so bad at the end of the day.  Oh and I can't forget the Victoria Secret commercials (which I speed through).  It all just seems so highly sexualized and impure. That saddens me.

Did anyone happen to see the commercial on Wednesday night encouraging homosexuals that it gets better with age or was that my imagination? I just keep reminding myself that this isn't my home so I shouldn't expect to feel comfortable here.

Kicking off James!!! He was my favorite. I don't watch much television and I try to watch things that are uplifting and decent, so I don't think I will be watching American Idol anymore. It is just no longer my cup of tea...

"I Don't Want To Be A Hypocrite!"

When I ask women to be happy around their husbands, I get this response once in awhile.  They feel that if they try to act happy when they are not, they are being a hypocrite.  I'm reading a great book by Martha Peace called "The Excellent Wife" and she made the statement, "I am never being a hypocrite when I obey God in spite of my feelings." 

So just because you don't feel happy, doesn't mean you shouldn't act happy.  God wants us to be joyful and rejoice always.  Just because you are grumpy and feel like being mean, act kind anyways because God wants us to be kind.  It is called self-control...Doing what you know is right even when you don't feel like it. 

As you practice happiness and kindness, it gets easier.  Right now you may be practicing grumpiness and meanness.   Start practicing happiness and kindness.  It'll get easier the more you practice it. Your life and those around you will be much better.  Promise!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Philippians 4:4

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 

John 13:17

Wanting An Mrs. Degree

In today's society, you are NOT allowed to say you are going to college to get an Mrs. degree. A BA or BS degree is great, but an MRS (changing Miss. to Mrs.)....terrible. Which degree affects you more throughout your life, however?  Being a wife and mother who is shaping the next generation or having some degree that you most likely won't use??? 

Nothing in college teaches you to be a better spouse. Most secular colleges deal with no important issues in life, namely, how to chose the right spouse, how to be a good mother or father, or discussing the existence of God. It pretty much teaches that there is no God, no good or evil, and no true purpose in life. What do kids and their parents have to show for a college education? A huge mountain of debt that saddles them with a lot of pain for years to come. Think very carefully before spending a lot of money for something that may have no lasting value.

I am not saying you shouldn't go to college, but you don't have to spend a small fortune to get a degree you may or may not use.  Check out alternative sources: clepping out of courses, junior colleges, Internet colleges, etc.  And if you want to get your MRS. degree, GO FOR IT!!! I love mine;)

"Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge."  I Timothy 6:20

Someone asked what an MRS. degree was...It means you want to get married and change Miss. to Mrs.

Good Health God's Way

Meal planning is quite simple in my household.  I buy things as close to nature as possible and I just buy the freshest ingredients I can find.  I have many delicious recipes that contain a lot of the same ingredients {chicken, beef, beans, and rice} so I make sure I always have all those ingredients on hand.

We eat food the way God created for us to eat and I clean with vinegar, soap, and water.  I make my own laundry detergent, lotion, and deodorant {the very best EVER}. Very simple. I cook almost everything from scratch and try eating food that is in season. Good health is worth it. Losing your health is very expensive and no fun {I know}!

I know the rules for good health keep changing but I keep going back to the idea that if our Creator made it, it's good for you. Man can't improve upon what God made. 

So we eat lots of organic salads. Organic is how He made it...without lots of toxic chemicals. "But organic is so expensive!"  "Yes, but cancer and heart disease are much more expensive."  We also eat fruit, fermented grains, soaked beans, organic meats and eggs, butter and hard aged cheese, extra virgin olive and coconut oil...You get the idea.

Everyone that has tried my salad loves it. The key is to have a great salad dressing. This is fabulous dressing and so good for you.  I put my roasted chicken on top of the salads with good, aged cheese, tomatoes and avocados.

We use Stevia, organic raw honey, and pure maple syrup to sweeten things with. I believe artificial sweeteners are terrible for your health! Everyone now understands how detrimental sugar is to our long-term health.

I make everything from scratch. I think it is sad how few women cook these days.  I believe that is why there is an epidemic of cancer, heart disease, and all sorts of other illnesses. I read that most women dig their husband's grave with a fork by refusing to fix them nourishing food.

My mom was told by doctors she would never get well from ulcerated colitis when I was five years old. She went on all organic fruit and vegetables juices and got well. Her colon is perfect now and has been for many years. 

My homemade kefir is great for a bad stomach and digestive problems. I was always told good health begins in the gut and all the antibiotics destroy the good probiotics we need for healthy digestion.

Just because doctors say it is incurable {meaning drugs and surgery can't make you well}, doesn't mean your body and the incredible immune system God gave you can't make you well if you treat it right!

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, 
who is in you, whom you have received from God? 
You are not your own. 

I Corinthians 6:19

P.S.  If you need a healthy snack, try these Healthy Peanut Butter Cups.  
They are full of good fats, satisfying, and nourishing.  Yum!

Simple Homemade Kefir - Powerhouse of Nutrition

Kefir is FABULOUS for your gut!!!  It has made my gut so much healthier. A healthy gut is imperative for a healthy immune system. It tastes a lot like yogurt but regular yogurt only has around five different probiotics, whereas, kefir has over thirteen! I make my own and it is very easy.

Buy a gallon of organic, whole milk.

Pour into a large pan on the stove and heat to a slow, rolling boil, stirring frequently.

Let cool to room temperature.

Add 1 cup of organic store-bought kefir to it and stir well.  
(After the first batch, you will save a cup from this batch for the next batch and so on.)

Pour into quart size mason jars.

Put on the top shelf in the pantry without a lid or in the oven with the light on.

Cover with a light towel.

Let it sit for at least 8 hours. Check after 8 hours and see if it is thick like yogurt. If it is separating, you have it in too warm of a place or have left it too long. If I put it in the oven, it takes 6 to 8 hours. If I put it in the cupboard, I can leave it overnight.

Cover with lids and put in refrigerator. It lasts up to three weeks. Just use as you would regular yogurt. Save one cup of your homemade kefir for your next batch. Eat a 1/2 cup or more a day for good gut health.

What Makes You Happy?

On Oprah years ago, there was this man who is a famous director. At one time in his life, he owned three big mansions, many cars, a private jet, etc. Several days after he moved into his brand new 17,000 square feet home, he realized it didn't make him any happier. He decided to sell most of his stuff and bought a double wide trailer in Malibu on the ocean. Granted, it was a beautiful trailer with a magnificent view but it was far less than what he previously owned.

Joe Jonas has everything society thinks makes a person happy: a private jet, wealth, adoring fans, girls flocking all over him and fame. Do you think he is any more happy than he was when he had none of these things? I would wager that he is LESS happy with all of these things than he was before.

Ken always thought I wanted granite counter tops in my kitchen with gorgeous stainless steel appliances. I don't. I never have but after watching that show, I realized if I did get those counter tops and appliances, they wouldn't make me any happier. Stuff never makes anyone happier. Being content with what we have makes us happy. Working hard and having a purpose greater than ourselves makes us happy. Having meaningful relationships in our life make us happy. Knowing who I am in Christ and all the riches I have in Him, being thankful for all that I have; this is what makes me happy. What makes you happy?

Happy is that people, that is in such a case: 

yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.  
Psalm 144:15

The Three Types Of Men

Debi Pearl wrote that there are three different types of men: Command, Steady, and Visionary.  You can read about it here: Created To Be His Helpmeet.  Most men will fall strongly into one stereotype.  Knowing what kind of man you are married to helps a lot! 

I am married to a Command Man.  I was mentoring a woman a few weeks ago and her husband is also a Command Man so we were reading the chapter on that.  I read where it said that they always have to be right.  Wow!  I always wanted to be right so that led to lots of arguments.  Now, I let him be right and it is much more peaceful. 

My sister, Alisa, is married to a Mr. Steady.  Greg likes his home quiet, orderly, and uncluttered.  She has tried very hard to keep it that way for him. 

My other sister, Debbi, is married to Mr. Visionary.  She realized this when she was dating him and he talked about digging for wells in Africa.  Jonathan likes to try new things.  He loves adventure. 

Understanding what your man likes and how God created him, helps the marriage immensely.  When I give Debi's book to women, I usually tell them to read the chapter on the three types of men first.  It is very eye opening.  Anything that helps marriages, is a very good thing.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him:  male and female created he them....And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. 

Genesis 1:27

Motherhood~The Greatest Profession

Feminism lied to us~

It told us we weren't content to be at home raising our babies and taking care of our husbands. 

We deserved to be like men and have a career outside the home that would fulfill us. 

Being at home was boring and unfulfilled. 

Wow!  In my old age I can definitely say, we've been led astray.  Rocking my little grand baby, looking into her sweet face, smelling her fresh baby smell, watching her smile back at me...NOTHING beats that!  As I am rocking her, I am thinking that the time I am investing in her is storing treasures in heaven.  This is an eternal human being that will one day impact society for good.  She will be raised to love Jesus, work hard, tell the truth, be honest in all her dealings, and serve other people.  What is more important than that? 

So when you feel worthless as you change another diaper, rock your child with a fever, read the same book for the hundredth time, remember how valuable your time is being spent.  You are shaping the future generation.  Amazing!  Your worth as a mother is very valuable.  Our Creator says so.

That they may teach the young women to be sober , to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Titus 2:4,5

I will therefore that the younger women marry , bear children , guide the house , give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

I Timothy 5:14