Children Overeating ~ Off Limits?

When you see your children overeating or gaining weight, are you allowed to talk to them about it?   I would venture to say that most parents think it is wrong to say anthing to them.  They can confront their children if they are lying, stealing, cheating, etc. but if they eat too much, they aren't allowed to confront them with this issue.

Ken and I disagreed with this philosophy.  If we saw our children doing anything that we thought was harmful or against Scripture, we talked to them about it.

Many will say that this will lead to eating disorders in women.  How many women do you know that haven't struggled in the area of weight and eating?  I think it is just something most women will struggle with.  Most people struggle with overeating, because food is so abundant and delicious in America.

I know it was hard for our girls if we ever brought it up to them but isn't it hard when anyone brings up any issue in your life that may be a bad habit or sin?  Confrontation is never fun but we are encouraged in Scripture to exhort, rebuke, and encourage each other.  We can hold each other accountable and help each other overcome our weaknesses and sins.

This is a touchy subject.  I have never been afraid to tackle touchy subjects, as you know.  Gluttony is clearly defined in the Bible as a sin.  I would encourage you to train your children in self-control in this area as well as all areas of personal discipline while they are young.  Set a good example to them.  Eat healthy, exercise, and get good amounts of sleep.  Then, when they are adults, they will eat healthy, exercise and get good amounts of sleep!

Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.        

Proverbs 23:20,21

P.S.  No, Emma is not a glutton at this time.  She just loves to help me with my chocolate shake!

Fifty Shades of Evil and Reading Other Sexually Charged Novels

It was Satan's first trick in the beginning; make the woman believe that something evil is very good. Continue to deceive her. Now millions of women are reading this book and and others like it, then planning on seeing the movie that the experts think is great for marriage and will help women experience a fabulous sex life. The Great Deceiver is at it again. You can NEVER expect good things to happen by seeking evil.

Dr. Oz had a show dedicated to this book. All the women in the audience have read it and said how it changed their lives. Their husbands are very happy. No, I haven't read the book. It is considered pornography in my mind. I won't read books like that. Now, they have made a movie about it, which should be rated X.

I have a problem seeing how women reading about someone else's sexual exploits and being turned on by it is any different than men watching pornography and being turned on by it. All these women say their sex lives are amazing now. I would like to interview them in a month and see if they say the same thing. Little do they know that this book and movie may lead to the ultimate destruction of their marriage.

Pornography is evil whether looking at it on the Internet or words written in a book. We are admonished to set our mind on these things ~

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

Whatever you watch or read should be first found to be true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and virtue.  If it doesn't measure up to these standards, FLEE. The Bible admonishes us to FLEE from sexual immorality, not be entertained by it {I Corinthians 6:18}. Having several nights of passionate sex isn't worth it.  In the end, it is all a delusion and will hurt your marriage.

Don't read this book. It is not pleasing to the Lord and it will end up hurting you. This is Satan's plan. God wants you to have peace and joy. Satan's plan is to take away your peace and joy and destroy marriages. Read Holy Sex instead about God's design for a beautiful sex life with your husband.

Seek the Creator of sex. His design was for us to enjoy sex in a marital relationship. Pursue holiness and I bet your sexual relationship will improve as you humbly love and serve your husband God's way without the help of an evil book or movie.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, 
or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, 
because these are improper for God's holy people.
Ephesians 5:3

P.S.  If you don't know what book I am referring to in this post, 
good...forget about it.

Homemade Liquid Hand and Dish Soap

The majority of hand and dish soaps have petrochemicals in them.  Petrochemicals are not made to be ingested by the human body.  When you wash dishes in them, I am sure some film from the soap stays on your dishes.  The best thing to do is to try and get most of the chemicals out of your life.  Toxic chemicals cause cancer.

Natural dish soaps from the health food store are expensive.  This is an alternative to store bought natural soaps that you can make yourself and it is very easy!  It doesn't produce suds {bubbles don't equal clean} and it's kind of runny but it will clean your hands and dishes just as well as the stuff in the stores.

Dissolve 1 Tablespoon of Washing Soda 
in 2 cups of hot water.

Add 1/2 cup liquid Castile Soap
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 Tablespoon glycerin
Few drops of Tea Tree Oil
or Lemon Essential oil which I LOVE!

Gently stir and pour into container.

You don't need any essential oils if you want it to be without any smell.  Tea tree oil is a good germ killer, however, but lemon essential oil smells wonderful! If your dishes are real greasy, add some baking soda to the water. 

***Here is a recipe for a fabulous Dishwasher Detergent that 
produces sparkling clean dishes from your Dishwasher!

Dangers Of Evolution

If children are taught that they came from an animal, they may grow up acting like animals.  There is no purpose to life so they might as well do what they please.  The only love they will receive is the love they can attempt to earn from those around them.  Why should they obey laws since they are just made up by other human beings that came from animals?  Why not just sleep around with lots of people and party since tomorrow they may die?

However, if they are taught that they were known by a Heavenly Father since before time began, that they were knit together in their mother's womb by a loving Creator, that Jesus paid the penalty for ALL of their sins so they could live in freedom from guilt and condemnation, that their Savior is preparing a place in heaven just for them, that God calls them His child and loves them unconditionally, how do you think they are going to act?

Will they act in confidence knowing who they are in Christ? 

Will they love others deeply since they are so loved by God? 

Will they obey laws and God's commands because they know their Creator knows what is best for them? 

Will they use their time wisely knowing that this life is short and they want to glorify God in everything they do? 

Will they be generous and give freely knowing that God is their provider and one can never out give God?

Teach your children the ways of God from a very young age.  Teach them their worth is in Christ and Christ alone.  Let them know they are so valuable and loved by Him.  Help them know how to hold steadfastly onto these truths by continually reminding them and renewing their minds with God's truth.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.        

Deuteronomy 6:7

Health Risks Of Sleep Deprivation

Did you know that a lack of sleep can lead to all kinds of health problems. Dr. Archibald Hart spoke about this very topic at a marriage retreat recently. He was the same one who gave me a lot of the information I used in my post about Teenage Depression.

After the Twin Towers collapsed, he went to NYC and spoke to the ones in charge of the firemen who were working in the rubble. He told them to get those men out of there after two weeks or they could risk their mental and physical health.

When you are under stress,  your body pumps out cortisol to handle the stress. Long-term high cortisol levels can lead to a host of physical problems such as lowered immune system, blood sugar imbalances, high blood pressure, decreased bone density, and obesity. This  then leads to depression and all kinds of other mental illnesses.

Ken just spent two and a half weeks in Europe. When he was there, he ran on adrenaline.  When he came home, he was exhausted and it lasted for weeks. More than two weeks is too long to be running on adrenaline without enough rest.

Dr. Archibald said the cure for adrenal exhaustion is sleep, a lot of sleep. He recommends at least eight hours of sleep a night. You need to sleep in a dark, quiet bedroom. Dr. Marshall teaches that you need to have at least five hours of uninterrupted sleep without raising your head off of the pillow above your chest for your adrenals to be recharged.

Stress and lack of sleep hampers your immune system to fight disease. You become very vulnerable to colds and flu when your body is not well rested. You need to build up a healthy immune system because this is what will give you good health.

This is a good reason to have your babies sleeping through the night as soon as possible for the mom's and baby's sake. It is a good reason to not drink too much water before bedtime or watch news. Encourage your teenagers to sleep a lot. Let them know of the risks if they don't. Depression and illness is no picnic.

Look at Jesus.  He never hurried to and fro.  He took time to rest and pray.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, t
o eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep.

Psalm 127:2

Spicy Curry Chicken Stew

Ken loves curry!  He was raised in the Caribbean where they eat lots of curry.  This has been a family favorite for many years. 
It is more like stew and very filling!

In a  large pan:

Melt 4 Tablespoons of butter

Add 1 large chopped onion

Add 1 1/2 cups each of carrots and celery

Add 1 Tablespoon minced garlic

Saute for 15 or so minutes.

Into the pan add:

1/2 teaspoons each of ginger and cumin

1 teaspoons of salt

2 teaspoons of curry powder

1  cup of lentils (brown or pink)

4 uncooked chicken breast with the skin on

6 cups of water with 1 Tablespoon of chicken bullion

or 6 cups of homemade chicken stock

1/2 to 1 cup of brown rice (depending on how thick you like your soup)

Bring to a boil, turn to simmer, and cook for an hour.  Then take out the chicken, throw away the skin, and cut it into bite sized pieces.  Now, start tasting it and add more seasonings until you love it! 

If a soup ever tastes too salty, add a peeled and chopped potato to it and
it will take away the saltiness.

Bitterness Defiles Many

Did you know that if you are angry and bitter towards your husband, you are defiling your children?  However, if you are loving and kind to him, even if he doesn't deserve it, you are sanctifying your children.

Hebrews 12:15 states ~

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

There is is, right there!  If you are harboring bitterness towards your husband, you are polluting or making your children foul.  That is tough language.  Most mothers are very protective of their children, but if they realize what their behaviour is doing to their children, they just might change.  Bitterness is like swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die.

I Corinthians 7:14 states ~

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

So if you are living a godly life {loving, accepting, and forgiving} in front of your husband and children, they are sanctified.  Jesus is living in their midst, because He lives in you.  Allow them to smell the sweet aroma of a life pleasing to the Lord, so they might be attracted to Him.

If you are bitter towards your husband and you don't know how to get rid of it, you need to work on changing your thinking.  Be transformed by the renewing of your mind {Romans 12:2}.  Meditate on His Word day and night and your thinking will change.  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he... {Proverbs 23:7} and take into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ {II Corinthians 10:5}.

Life is too short.  Don't defile those around you, especially your children. Dwell on the lovely, the pure, and the good.  Think about the good in everyone else, especially your husband.  Be at peace with all men.

Alphabe-Thursday

Proverbs 31 Woman's Workplace

Several women have commented to me or stated that the Proverbs 31 woman worked outside of her home.  I have a hard time finding that in Proverbs 31. 

It states that she bought a field so she could garden ~

She considers a field and buys it;  From her earnings she plants a vineyard. {verse 16}

She sews clothing and belts and sells some  ~

She makes linen garments and sells them,  And supplies belts to the tradesmen.  {verse 24}

She goes shopping for her food and even goes far to find it ~

She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.  {verse 14}

Her main goal in all of this is...She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.  {verse 27}

Nowhere in Scripture can you find where women are told to leave their homes for long periods of time and drop their children off with others to watch.  She is admonished to guide her home, be a keeper at home, and train up her children in the way they should go.  No one does this better than a mother.

I believe it is fine for women to find ways to make money from home to supplement their husband's salary.  They can make things, babysit, whatever.  With computers, the options are endless, but her main focus needs to be upon her home and taking care of it, her husband and children.  Nothing is more valuable than a happy home.

Did you know that most women don't even cook these days???  I know of some men who have married women who never cook.  There is nothing like good, healthy home cooking. 

Having a clean home is important also.  Everyone enjoys a clean and tidy home.  Husbands need lots of love and attention.  Children need it also.  All of this takes time and a lot of work regardless what Hilary Rosen, the Democratic spokesperson and strategist believes!  {She said that Ann Romney had "never worked a day in her life!"  She did raise five sons and hold a marriage together.  That, my friends, takes work.}

Years ago, I was asked to teach women on being wives and mothers.  I was instructed NOT to mention being keepers at home...This was in a church!  Well, I decided I was going to teach God's Word, whether society agreed with me or not.  The longer I live, the more I see how wise God was in His instructions to us.  God is our provider and rewards those who earnestly seek Him and His ways.

So men, when looking for a wife, look for one that aspires to be a Proverbs 31 wife and women, aspire to become a Proverbs 31 wife and wait patiently for a husband that wants one!

The Family Bed

She has raised ten children.  They all walk with Jesus and are incredible children.  After they were born, they would sleep in the same bed with her and her husband along with another child.  There were also several other children sleeping on the floor in her bedroom. 

She never let her babies cry or have a pacifier.  She nursed them on demand until they wanted to stop, around three years old.  After one years old, she would spank them for disobedience.  She demanded that they obey her and was consistent about following through. 

They were raised on God's Word, hard work, and lots of love and laughter.  She was a fabulous mother.  However, she uses Bible verses to say that her way of mothering babies is the only way.  They must never be allowed to cry.  They must sleep in the parent's bed until two or three years old and never be disciplined before the age of one or she seems to imply you are going against God's Word. 

My babies never slept in my bed.  Ken and I are both such light sleepers that it would have been impossible for us to sleep with a baby in our bed.  I allowed them to cry.  I made them sleep through the night when they were three months old in their own bed.  Was I a bad mom and sinning? 

All my children walk with Jesus and are disciplined, healthy adults.  I think we need to be careful as Christians of saying our way is the only way when it comes to things that aren't specifically written out in the Bible. 

I don't see anywhere in the Bible that your babies must sleep with you or that you can't allow them to cry or you must wait until they are one years old to discipline.  Things like breast feeding, using pacifiers, when to potty train, family bed, etc. should be left to each families discretion, I believe. 

We can seek wise counsel from others and try different things but I don't think we should judge others if they decide raise their babies differently than we do.  I was told that allowing a baby to cry would cause SIDS and insecure children.  I don't believe that. 

We must respect the way others choose to raise their children.  The one thing that needs to be taught as not being negotiable, however, is when parents don't discipline their children.  When you tell your child to do something, do whatever you need to do {spanking, time out, etc.} to make sure your child obeys you the first time.  If you have to tell them to do something twice, you are teaching them disobedience.

 Undisciplined children usually grow up to dislike their parents and have difficult lives.  Disciplined children grow up to respect their parents and are a blessing to society.  

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Submit One To Another

Yes, the Bible teaches we are to submit to each other.  Submitting one to another in the fear of God.*  This specific verse is used over and over again to invalidate the wives submitting to husband verses. They say we are all called to submit to each other.

The Bible always explains itself.  Right after this verse it teaches what submitting to each other looks like as it explains each role within a model of God's design. Certainly we understand that we are to submit to our elders in the church. How can we not understand: 

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:  and he is the savior of the body.  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.*

This is the submission that wives are called upon to do.  Our husbands are our heads and we are to submit to them in every thing.  They are the leaders of the home and we are the followers.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it:...so ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.  He that loves his wife loves himself.  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it...*

If this verse teaches submission it is that husbands are called to submit to Christ, not submission to their wife.  They are called to love, nourish, and cherish their wives.  To give their lives up for their wife, like Christ. It is mutual submission within the order of God's design. Just as Christ submits to God, the church submits to Christ, the husband submits to Christ and the church elders, wives submit to their husbands and children obey their parents. 

So you see that submission has a different definition for the husband and the wife.  Both roles are equally important but never is a husband commanded to submit to his wife.  When a wife obeys her husband, and her husband obeys Christ, there is harmony and beauty in a marriage. 

However, just because one of the spouses isn't obeying God in their call to be submissive does not give you the right to disobey the role God has designed for you.  If you don't believe your husband is loving, nourishing, and cherishing you,  it doesn't give you the right to disobey or disrespect him as your head.  You stand responsible to God for your actions and your actions alone.

Remember, God gives this wonderful promise of winning your husband without a word as you live out your biblical submission in front of him.  It takes a strong woman to be submissive.  To not argue, fight back, and try to get your own way but instead to give up control and lovingly serve and please your husband through God's power working mightily within you takes a strong woman.

Don't believe the lies that society tells you that submission is weakness.  Submission is strength and it works.  I have witnessed women winning their husbands every time they become submissive.  Believe the Truth.   Believe God and play out your submissive role in marriage and it just may draw your husband into his role of being submissive to you...  Loving, nourishing, and cherishing you.

*All the Bible verses are from Ephesians 5:21-29

Kefir Soaked Granola

This Kefir Soaked Granola is yummy! I used my Homemade Kefir. Soaking grains makes them easier to digest and better for you. Cooking it at such a low temperature makes it healthier also.

Put into a large bowl ~

8 cups rolled oats

1 stick melted butter

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

1 1/2 cup kefir or yogurt

Stir well. Put a towel over it and let it sit for 24 hours.

Heat in a small pan on low just until warm ~

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

3/4 cup raw honey

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup unsweetened coconut

Mix everything together along with ~

2 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup dates pieces

1/2 cup almonds

1/2 cup walnuts

Spread on two large cookie sheets and bake at 170 degrees for as long as you want. I baked them for 4 hours and the granola was chewy. If you want it crispy, you will have to bake it for a lot longer. I eat my granola with fruit and kefir for a healthy breakfast. Now my granola will even be healthier!

Your Best Mirror

Those people you live with, the ones who know you the best, your family, are your mirror.  Listen to them.  If they say you are selfish, you are selfish.  If they say you worry too much, you worry too much.  If they say you nag too much, you nag too much.  If they say you are messy, you are messy.

I have someone in my life that refuses to admit his faults.  If you refuse to admit your faults and see yourself as others see you, you will never change.  The Bible says that a wise man {or woman} takes rebuke.

Be a wise woman and take rebuke.  The Bible also says to confess your sins to one another and pray for each other, so that you may be healed.  In other words, tell others your sins and ask them to pray for you, so you can overcome your sins.  Don't keep your sins a secret.  They fester in the darkness and become destructive.

Listen to your family and those close to you.  As you listen, confess, and pray about your faults and sins, you will become more like Jesus and that is who we want to look like.  He walked in love.  He wasn't selfish or worried.  He was at peace.

The more you become like Jesus, the more peace you will experience in your life.  Peace is a wonderful thing.  Joy is a wonderful thing.  Trusting God is a wonderful thing.

Be a person that people can share with you the things you need to change.  Be willing to accept criticism.  It will make you a better person and people will like being around you more.  They are your mirror.  They can see your faults sometimes better than you can.  Listen to them!

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise.

Proverbs 12:15

Protect Your Precious Sons!

One in fifty four boys are diagnosed with autism.  This is not good!  My son, Ryan, probably would have been diagnosed with ADD or autism if he had been tested.  In sixth grade, he got a few D's and an F on his report card.  The teacher would keep him in for recess because he was staring at the ceiling when he was suppose to be looking at the chalkboard and listening.

Boys weren't made to sit in a classroom for hours a day.  When Steven was in ninth grade, I taught his class of boys for a month. One day I was teaching them about exercise and had them run around the school once.  They LOVED it!  In ninth grade!

I started homeschooling Ryan in seventh grade. I felt like sending him to junior high would be like sending him off a cliff into failure.  I had him read a lot and do math. That was it. We sent him to a Christian high school and he did great. He graduated from a Christian college with a degree in Biology. Today, he is a husband, father, and working for Ken. His clients love him.

Ritalin is not the answer.  It messes up the brain.  Boys need to be given a lot of time playing in the fresh air, getting lots of vitamin D, and exercise.  They need to be given a lot of healthy food and no drugs, including all the immunizations and antibiotics that children are being loaded up with today.

Boys are not girls!  Don't listen to society.  Today's classroom is geared towards girls.  Girls can sit for hours studying and listening.  Boys can't.  Don't buy into the lies of society that your little boys need to be medicated if they can't sit still for hours a day.  Don't let them medicate your boys so they will act like girls.  Protect your boys.  Protect the men of our future. Please!

Let no man despise your youth; but be an example of the believers, 
in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

I Timothy 4:12

Beautiful Women

Since Alyssa and Jon live an hour away, we try to get up there every once in awhile and visit Alyssa during the day. We love to go to a movie, if there is a decent one showing, go out to lunch, and shop a little bit. We always take my mom. My mom is always up for a good time, especially when it involves her daughters and granddaughters.

I love spending time with my daughters. They are truly a gift from God. I was a strict mom with them and disciplined them as I saw fit when they were growing up. I cared more for their inner beauty than their outward beauty. As you can see, they are both very beautiful.

Ken and I tried very hard not to make too big of a deal about their outward beauty. We knew that outward beauty is fleeting but inward beauty is eternal. We wanted them to have a heart for God and live to serve and please Him. 

They both have grown up to love Jesus. They both want to live for Him and trust Him with their lives. Whether or not your girls are beautiful on the outside or not, they can have wonderful lives if they follow and obey Jesus. A wonderful life has nothing to do with how beautiful you are on the outside but how beautiful you are on the inside.

I am getting old. I have gray hair that I have to dye every three weeks. I have a lot of wrinkles. {I have been raised in Southern California and I love the sun!} My outer man is definitely decaying just as my girl's outer man will decay someday. So I work even harder on becoming more beautiful inside.

God tells me I am being renewed day by day. His mercies are new every morning. I am so happy that this life isn't all there is but an eternity in heaven with a whole new body awaits me!

So whether you have beautiful girls or not, don't make a big deal about their outward beauty. Make sure you focus on their inward beauty. I have known a lot of women who are beautiful on the outside and real ugly on the inside. I much prefer to be around those who are beautiful on the inside.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
I Peter 3:3,4

Are You Hard To Love?

He told her he was committed to her for life but she was hard to love.  Ouch!  She then went on to write that even if her husband didn't love her unconditionally, at least God did.  If I were counseling her, I would have encouraged her to ask her husband why she was hard to love and go about trying to become more lovable.

Are you hard to love?  What makes a person hard to love???

Someone who complains a lot.

Someone who is negative.

Someone who is emotional and gets offended easily.

Someone who criticizes you a lot and doesn't accept you the way that you are.

Someone who argues with you and doesn't respect your opinions.

Someone who is discontent with their lot in life.

How about you?  Ask your husband if you are difficult to love.  I was for 23 years.  I just asked Ken if I was difficult to love and he said "No!"  I asked him if I used to be and he said "Yes!"

My advice ~ Work on being easy to love.  The best way is to love others.  Be patient, kind, positive, accepting, content, joyful, pleasant, and a servant.  After working on those qualities, then ask your husband the same question.  I will bet you'll get a different answer...

For, brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Galatians 5:13,14

Saved Through Childbearing

The Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Swiss, the Dutch, all lost their public spirit and their republican forms of government when they lost the modesty and domestic virtues of their women. 

John Adams, Second President of the United States

Notwithstanding, she {women} shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. 
I Timothy 2:15

This verse was always a difficult one to figure out.  I am going to be quoting from Pastor Walter J. Chantry in this post.  One sermon of his helped me understand this verse better.

Prior to this verse in Timothy, we are told about Eve being the one deceived.  When she abandoned her role of submission to Adam, and decided to take matters into her own hands, the Fall came!  Her restless defiance of man's authority is at the crux of human calamity!

Now I know a lot of today's women will not like hearing that but we were created to be man's help meet from the very beginning of time. The first sin appears to be an unsubmissive wife that just decided to take things into her own hands and do things her way, coming out from under the authority of her husband.

So how does childbearing save us?  This is not a text on remission of sins but deliverance out of sin-related suffering and oppression.  As women have left their God-ordained place {home} they have institutionalized their rebellion against their God-given place. {It is impossible to have a full-time career, a solid marriage, secure and godly children, and a well-run home with nutritious food.  Nobody is superhuman.}

Her pathway to real salvation was appointed by the Almighty.  It is motherhood.  She shall be saved through childbirth.  How wrong women are when they imagine that their hope lies in imitating men's careers.  Raising a godly seed is still of the profoundest importance to the cause of God in the earth!  Nothing crushes the cause of sin like godly childbearing.

Today nothing can replace the care and training of a faithful mother. {No daycare or babysitter will love and train their children like their mother!}  Women have abandoned their highest dignity and hope for lesser things. {How can working a job outside of the home compare to raising children who walk in truth?}

Women's hope, the church's hope, the world's hope is joined to childbearing with continuance in faith, love and holiness. {You must be diligent to grow in your faith, love and holiness while raising children.} 

Young women, here is a life-long calling!  It is the highest any woman can enter.  There is much more to it than the world imagines.  Take it seriously and God will bless the generation to come. Work at it spiritually and the Lord will give you the liberation you desire. {True freedom is found in surrendering your life to God and His ways.}

These are tough words but I hope they are ones you will prayerfully consider when listening and watching the world's path for women and deciding upon your own path...

Vasectomies And Tubal Ligations

Opinions on these procedures are many and varied. What I am going to write about on this topic is only my opinion. I could spend a lot of hours studying all the side effects, but I am not going to do that. I am only going to give you what I believe through common sense and knowledge of God's Word.

Both procedures stop a normal bodily function. I know many men have had vasectomies and are fine. However, it just doesn't seem healthy to me.  here does all that sperm go? It is just like the birth control pill stopping periods. 

People get "fixed" because they no longer want children. God tells us that children are gifts from God. Why would anyone want to stop their ability to receive gifts from God? As I have gotten older, I realize more and more that children are one of the greatest blessings in life. 

I have been reading through these articles written by a woman who had ten children. She and her husband decided early in life to completely allow God to plan their children. They had very little money. They believed God when He said He was their provider. Her husband has always worked hard. She stayed home full-time right after they were married.

The children are all between two and a half and three years apart using no birth control.  They were consistent in disciplining them and teaching them the ways of the Lord. No, it wasn't always easy but she realized her life was about being a living sacrifice for the Lord.  Her rewards have been amazing.

I have heard of these kind of stories over and over again. When you truly trust God, He provides abundantly for you. Mothers decide to stay home and be full time wives and mothers, then the husbands' income increases. 

I hear a lot of "but what about..." out there. Instead, you should be saying "but God..."  I am not saying you need to let God be in control of how many children you should have or you will be sinning. It is an issue that needs to be decided between you and your husband.

I am just writing this because I feel like I was lied to when I was younger. I believed the lies of society and the church. I believed we should only have x amount of children so we could give them everything they needed. 

I trust God much more now. I like Him being in control and not worrying about the future. I LOVE the blessing and gifts of children. Pray carefully before doing anything to cut off your ability to have children permanently. That is all I am asking you to do.

Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD
 and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalm 127:3

Stand In The Gap

We have been studying the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in our Bible study.  It continues to amaze me that God promised Abraham that He would spare Sodom if there were only ten righteous people, those who walk with Him, in that city.  TEN!!!   

The next morning, Abraham got up and looked towards Sodom.  It was on fire!  What?  God, couldn't you find at least ten righteous people in that whole city?  No.  God keeps his promises.  What about Lot and his family, God?  Weren't they righteous?

No.  The Bible tells us that God spared Lot because He remembered Abraham who was considered righteous because of his faith...Abraham believed God.

This got me to thinking....If God would have spared Sodom for ten righteous people, will God spare our family, our neighborhood, our city, our nation for righteous people?  Maybe. This encourages me in the importance of living righteous lives...It may even save those around us.

Christians, wake up!  Be separate!  Live holy and godly lives.  Love your neighbors and even your enemies.  Pray for them.  Let them see the love of God flowing through you.  Stop compromising with the world.  It is headed towards doom and destruction.  We have the answers to life.  Show them by the way you live and tell them when they ask what the hope you have inside of you.

Smile at the future.  Our God is King!  He loves us.  He is good and merciful.  He promises to save us from the wrath to come but He wants us to preach the Word in season and out of season.  Be bold in your faith and persistent in your prayers!  The days are short.  Life is short.  Don't waste them...

And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot dwelt.

Genesis 19:29

Tasty Burrito Bar

This is a great meal for a large group, a small group, 
a quick dinner, or a snack and so easy!

Ingredients ~

Guacamole {ripe avocados, fresh garlic, fresh lemon juice, a small spoonful of kefir, salt and pepper}  You just keep adding ingredients until it tastes perfect!

Pinto beans, black beans, or kidney beans {Soak over night, cook for an hour, then salt to taste or buy canned beans}

Chopped onions

Shredded aged cheese

Salsa {Homemade salsa or store bought}

Chicken cut up in bite sized pieces {Spicy Shredded Chicken}

Whole wheat or corn tortillas {heat this on a hot grill with a little olive oil}

Have everything out on the counter and let everyone make up their own burrito. 
Yummy!

Fresh Lemonade And Becoming Alkaline

Babies are born very alkaline. They have pretty pink tongues. Breastfed babies keep pretty pink tongues. Formula fed babies get a white coating on their tongues. They become more acidic. When you die, you are very acidic. Disease breeds in acidic bodies. Therefore, the key is to stay as alkaline as possible.

There are lists out there of alkaline and acidic foods. All raw foods are alkaline. All processed foods are acidic. There are some neutral foods like butter. So eat as many alkaline foods as possible to keep a strong immune system.

Some ways I make sure I get plenty of alkaline food into my body is to have a big glass of warm lemon water or lemonade {1-2 lemons juiced, ice cubes, filtered water or sparking water, and stevia} first thing when I wake up. Your body has been fasting overnight and this is a good thing to start off with; NOT coffee which is very acidic and hard on your adrenals. Coffee is a drug and all drugs have side effects. Anything that is addictive can have side effects.

After workouts or after you sweat a lot, instead of Gatorade which is full of junk, try the juice of one whole lemon or limes, sparkling or regular water, a dash of good air dried sea salt {to restore electrolytes and minerals}, stevia, and ice. It tastes similar to Gatorade but is much tastier and better for you!

I also make sure I have a big salad every day with all kinds of greens and vegetables of all different colors. Taking a greens mix every day is good also, especially if you can't get a lot of fresh greens. For snacks, give your children fruit and properly prepared nuts and seeds. I have jars of pistachios, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts and cashews on the top shelf in my refrigerator. Fruit and nuts were my children's favorite snack growing up. Give them healthy food growing up so they will have a taste for it when they are adults. If you live in a climate that supports lemon trees, grow them. I just planted two and have four others since we LOVE lemonade!

I know some mothers are unable to nurse their babies and dislike the idea of giving their baby formula. My grandma bought a goat and gave one of her babies raw goat's milk. A goat only grows up to be around 150 pounds, just like human beings so the protein is similar to human milk. Cow's milk is way too concentrated protein. Cows grow up to be a ton. Soy is full of estrogen which are not good for babies, especially boy babies.

So study nutrition. Being healthy along with a strong and healthy immune system are wonderful gifts you can give your children. It is a lot cheaper than being ill in the long run. My mom raised us on organic food way before it was popular. Most cancers and disease can be prevented. I just met a woman in bible study who is in severe, constant pain as a result of chemotherapy and radiation. She lives on morphine. She told me she is so sorry she went the chemotherapy route. It just wasn't worth it. Live to prevent cancer and other diseases.

He causes vegetation to grow for the cattle
 and all that the earth produces for man to cultivate, 
that he may bring forth food out of the earth.
Psalm 104:14

***Remember, I'm NOT a doctor. I'm just a homemaker who loves to research 
natural cures and have found many that have worked for my family and me. Information I have given is for educational and informational purposes only and to motivate you to make your own health care and dietary decisions based upon your own research and in partnership with your health care provider. Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Nothing you read here should be relied upon to determine dietary changes, a medical diagnosis or course of treatment.

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Martin Luther's Amazing Wife

Katherine was a nun. Martin Luther was a priest and a monk, but after studying scripture, wrote about the importance of marriage and having children. She, along with other nuns, read the book and wanted out of the convent to become wives and mothers.  

Luther rescued them and tried finding homes or families for all of them. He couldn't find one for Katherine, so he eventually married her even though he didn't have feelings for her.  He said it was to spite the devil...so romantic!  So there was no love or attraction but a commitment to the principles of the Bible and service to God.

They didn't have an easy life. They had six children, two died. They lived in a big, old house that was always full of people. They lived in great poverty. Luther had a lot of physical ailments, but she always nursed him to health waiting on him hand and foot. She studied herbal remedies and fed her family healthy.

When he would fall into his frequent bouts with severe depression, she would hold him, pray for him, comfort him, and read Scripture to him.  She drove the wagon, looked after their fields and gardens, purchased and pastured cattle, brewed beer, rented horses, sold linen, helped edit his writings, prepared meals, kept house, raised kids, entertained guests... 

By all accounts, Katherine was a wonderful mother and Martin a loving and fun father who spent his evenings playing music for his children and teaching them the Bible, which was a welcome and joyous diversion from his busy and stressful life.

He wrote, "The greatest gift of grace a man can have is a pious, God-fearing, home-loving wife, whom he can trust with all his goods, body, and life itself, as well as having her as the mother of his children."

Now that, my dear readers, is an example of what submission and being a true help meet looks like!

Who can find a virtuous woman? 
for her price is far above rubies.
Proverbs 31:10