Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Basic Herbs to Keep on Hand


Thanks to my parents I got the most wonderful spice rack this year for Christmas. I think I have any spice I will ever need and I was stoked when I went to make Lynn's taco sauce and found all of my spices quick and easy in my new rack. Yesterday, I posted the necessities for a stocked basic pantry. Today, I am going to list for you some basic herbs to keep on hand:

Basic Herbs

  • Basil
  • Bay leaves
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Onion powder or flakes
  • Oregano
  • Paprika
  • Pepper (coarse ground and/or whole)
  • Sage
  • Salt (iodized and sea salt)
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
I have heard it's best to only keep herbs for a year, but on the other hand my mom has had some herbs in her pantry from when I was little. Anyone know what is best?? Also, what are your herbs in your spice rack you can't live without??

photo from spice place

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Well Stocked Pantry




I was going through one of my Mom's old calendars and came across a check list for a well stocked pantry. I thought I would share that list with you before I go make sure my pantry is well stocked.

Basic Pantry
  • Baking mix or pancake mix
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Brownie mix
  • Canned beef broth or consomme
  • Canned chicken
  • Canned chicken broth
  • Canned corn
  • Canned fruits
  • Canned soups
  • Canned tomatoes
  • Canned tuna
  • Canned or dried beans
  • Chocolate chips
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Condensed milk
  • Hot cereals
  • Cornstarch
  • Crackers
  • Dry cereals
  • Evaporated milk
  • Flour (all-purpose and self rising)
  • Jelly
  • Ketchup
  • Mayonnaise
  • Mustard
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • Olives
  • Pasta
  • Peanut butter
  • Pickles
  • Popcorn
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Rice and rice mixes
  • Salad dressing
  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Sugar (granulated, confectioners', and brown)
  • Syrup
  • Tea bags
  • Vanilla extract
  • Vegetable oil
  • White vinegar
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Yeast
Wow, after looking through the list, I'm only lacking a few items from having the perfect basic pantry necessities. Some of my ingredients are in the fridge or freezer (spaghetti sauce), but I think I'm doing pretty good on keeping a stocked basic pantry.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Eat From the Pantry


We have so much to be thankful for this past year and we are looking forward to many more blessings in 2010. One thing, however, that we weren't blessed with this past year: a teaching job for me. With the hiring freeze and a sure shot job that didn't pan out, we have been living on one income. Although it has been "do-able" it's just gotten a lot harder lately and we are having to cut back, A LOT. I'm sure our story isn't much unlike many families out there.

In an attempt to save money, stick to a budget and start out on the right foot this coming year, we are joining up with FishMama and Money Saving Mom as we embark on a month of eating from the pantry. I have never done anything like this, and to be quite honest, it seems like an exciting challenge to me. For one whole month, we are going to use what we have stored up in our pantry and freezer for our meals.

In order to do this, I have a lot of work ahead of me. I need to take inventory and do some meal planning (which is something I'm going to start to do more of...sure is a life saver to know what we are going to eat when, and saves those wasteful eating out nights)

We will have a few rules and regulations in our house:
  • We will still eat out on our bible study nights, Monday's with young adults and Tuesday's with the High School kiddos. (This will come out of our Entertainment budget)
  • We will still have dinner at the Porter's on Thursday nights.
  • We will have $15 a week to get eggs, milk, bread...you know, those sort of things.
Like I said, I'm excited and am totally up for the challenge. If you have any help or suggestions for a newly married bride (I know its been a year and a half, but I'm still getting used to this whole married thing, I'M A NEWBIE...so I'm still newly married) feel free to help. I would also love suggestions on how to make this living on one income thing work, too!!

Be sure to link up, if you would like to join. You could also check out the facebook page and connect with others.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Menu Plan Monday

Gosh, its been SO long since I have posted, guess life got in the way as always. Hopefully I'll have more posts in the New Year. To kick it off, I am starting to post my menu plans, in hopes this will cut down, once again, on our frivolous eating out.

Breakfasts
Cinnamon Rolls - Yummy Gooseberry patch recipe
Turkey and Green Chile freezer burritos
Cereal

Lunches
Santa Fe Turkey Stew
Sandwiches
Quesadillas

Dinners
Tuesday - Kraut Bierock (recipe to come)
Wednesday - Mexican Pizzas
Thursday - Dinner at the Porter's
Friday - New Years Dinner with family
Saturday - Leftovers
Sunday - Football Dinner

For more menu ideas head over to OrgJunkie.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Friday, October 09, 2009

LCMC Gathering 2009

I just got back on Wednesday from the Annual LCMC Gathering in Fargo, North Dakota. I was a bit apprehensive to attend this gathering. First, I was going to be away from Jeremy for 3 days (that is the longest we have been apart since we got married). Second, I wasn't too familiar with what the LCMC believed and why we left the ELCA. Third, well it was Fargo...I didn't want to come back with an accent!!

What I came home with wasn't an accent, but has been an understanding of what LCMC is, where the ELCA is biblically mistaken and a passion for the Lord. To all of those visitors at the conference and those who were not at the conference but are looking at what they should do now, my prayer is that God would guide you to truth.

Extraordinary Blog Tour


Growing up, I always wanted to just be normal. For some reason, though, I was mixing up "being normal" with "being like my friends". I wasn't, however, I was different. I was short, I was light skinned, I had freckles, my parents were still together, I loved my family, I had a white picket fence around my house. Growing up, I wasn't what I thought was "normal" and I longed for that. Now that I am older, and a bit wiser, I realize how skewed my thinking was.

In Extraordinary, John Bevere reveals to us how God hasn't called us to just be normal. Rather, He has called us to be extraordinary. Bevere reminds us who God is to us -- Daddy -- and what He wants from us -- to be pleased. But can we really please someone as big as God? After all, we are broken people who make mistakes. Bevere shows us how we can lead a God fearing, honoring and pleasing life, and how to do it in all aspects of our life with the help of Christ who is the giver of all life.

I found this book to be a great look into what God calls us to be for those who are new to the faith, and a great reminder of what we are called to be for those who have been walking with Christ for a month, a year or a lifetime. Extraordinary calls out to all of us and really gives us a reminded hope of who we are and how God calls us to live our lives.

If you would like to find out more details on purchasing Extraordinary, please visit the Random House website.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

A Fighting Spirit

I posted this back in January, but after the passing of Patrick Swayze, I felt it a good time to repost about this man and his courageous fighting spirit.

This week I was finally able to watch the Barbara Walters interview with Patrick Swazye. I sat down with my mom for what I thought would be an interesting interview with a man who is dying. When I finally wipped my eyes for the last time, as the interview came to an end, I thought to myself that this man has great courage, great faith and a great drive to live.

Instead of giving in to this disease that takes most sufferers within a few months, he is determined to LIVE. He is not sitting in a dark room waiting to die, he is out shooting a television show and taking care of his many horses. I found his drive and determination something to be thankful for. I'm glad there are people like Patrick in this world to show us what a fighting spirit looks like, and to give us hope that no matter how bad things may look to us, there is always a reason to LIVE your life to its fullest. For that, I am thankful!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Extraordinary

Hey, are you looking to live "The Life You're Meant to Live"?? I know I am. I am lucky enough to be participating in a blog tour featuring John Bevere's book, "Extraordinary". Join me the week of October 5-9 as I review his book. There might be a little something in it for you (hint: a copy of the book). For more information, check out the Random House website.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Ready for Halloween


I saw this the other day at Favecrafts and I am bound and determined to make it for Halloween!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Tired of It

Do you ever have those days where you are just tired of it. Seems like it's the same old crap over and over. It never gets better. It is never noticed. It's always defenses, never seeing Truth. It's always an excuse. Always being blind. Never seeing what's missing? Ever experience those days when the promises of acting different are never followed through with? Ever wonder why you still endure it? Aren't you tired of it? I know I am!!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Fat Burning Thursday

It's official....I no longer fit into my clothes. It's true. Somewhere between the time I said 'I do' and now, I became a chunky monkey. Fall is coming our way, and with that jeans and sweaters will become the staples in my wardrobe. Problem is, if you can't fit into them, they can't become staples.

I feel I have two options here: 1) buy new clothes that do fit with money we don't have, or, 2) get my booty in shape to wear the totally cute clothes I already have in my closet. I think I'll choose option 2!!

How will I get this done, though?? Well,...I'm still working on that. Do I do pilates? Hit the treadmill? Do some weight lifting (other than my bod off the couch to get some more cookie dough out of the fridge)? Do I cut back on what I'm eating? Eat more healthy? No more cherry coke? No more Starbucks?

I'm still in the process of working out my exact plan, and I hope to announce it to you all next Thursday, because I am deeming Thursdays FBT, aka, Fat Burning Thursday. I'm not planning on only burning my fat on Thursday, rather, I will be posting my updates to you all on Thursdays. And, if you want to join me, you can post your progress with a comment as well.

Let's do this together. Let's get healthy and in shape for the winter months together. Let's go against tradition and not pack on the pounds to hibernate for winter, but rather get a really, REALLY big start on next years bikini season. Next Thursday, lets post our plans and short term goals and go from there!! What do you say?

Monday, August 17, 2009

101 in 1001 Update

It seems as though my short term goals are helping out a bit this month with my 101 list. I'll be sure to update you at the end of the month as to how I did with those short term goals. Until then, here is how my 101 list is going.

Completed:
6. Get in a good nightly routine with face washing and lotion application - I think I'm on a roll with this good habit.
67. Have a girls night - We all went out to The Melting Pot for some yummy food, good laughs and great conversation.

In Progress:
1. Lose 20 Pounds (-2/20)
4. Read 101 new books (7/101)
9. Complete a Sudoku book
16. Swim 30,000 yards (500/30,000)
17. Don’t watch TV for at least one day each week (1/143)
18. Stay off the computer for at least one day each week (23/143)
20. Paint the house (2/9 rooms)
39. Save $2,000 using coupons ($201.60/$2,000)
42. Plant a vegetable garden
43. Get reusable bags for shopping trips
45. Complete the husband challenge
46. Go on a picnic date at least 3 times (2/3)
51. Read 6 Books with Jeremy (1/6)
52. Read the whole Bible with Jeremy
66. Send a thank you note from every gift received
68. Write and mail at least one handwritten letter per month (5/33)
71. Write 101 comments on other peoples blogs (43/101)
88. Complete a puzzle a year (1/3)
89. Watch AFI’s best 100 movies (1/100)

Be sure to check out my full 101 in 1001 list!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Friday, August 14, 2009

I Have a Confession

So, the other night, I did it. I don't know how proud I should be, though. I mean, it was quite a feat since I was sick and it was 8:30 PM (which is late for me), but I don't think that was the conquering moment. I always wanted to do this growing up, but my Mom would have never gone for it. So, after posing the question on facebook and getting overwhelming approval from my friends, I decided it was about time I take the leap and go for it....

Two nights ago, for dessert, I made chocolate chip cookie dough....and....ATE IT!! There, I said it, I ate the dough and it was AMAZING!!! Next time, maybe I'll try brownie batter!!

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Short Term Goals

As some of you may or may not know, I am currently working on completing 101 goals in 1001 days. I started at the begining of the year and have been working hard at accomplishing my goals. I find it a bit overwhelming sometimes, however, to look at 101 goals and wonder where to start.

After much thought, I have decided to break my goals and time frame into mini goal lines. So, for the next month, here is what I hope to accomplish with regards to my 101 list:

  • Lost 3 pounds. It's a month, I can do it...right??
  • Read/finish 2 books
  • Find a good make-up remover
  • Do 30 straight days of push-ups and sit-ups (and if I'm up to it...start to catch up on the days I have missed)
  • Swim 1,000 yards
  • Find my latch hook yarn...I don't know where we put it after the wedding.
  • Finish the husband challenge
  • Try 3 new recipes
  • Get caught up on my handwritten notes
  • Leave 5 comments on other's blogs
There, that sounds do-able, don't you think?? Hopefully this will give me more motivation to start to complete my list. What goes do you have this month?? What is on your to-do list that you just can't cross off?? Let's work together this month to accomplish those goals we have been putting off!!

Monday, August 03, 2009

Menu Plan Monday

I'm so excited for this week and the fun that August brings. We have a busy August ahead of us with parties and the start of programming and lots and lots of fun!!

Monday - Dinner out with Bible Study Group

Tuesday - Oven Baked Pineapple Porkchops :: on the Grill, potatoes and onions, veggies, bread

Wednesday - Girls Night Out at the Melting Pot :: guys on their own!

Thursday - Dinner at the Porter's

Friday - Beer-Butt Chicken, potatoes, veggies, bread

Saturday - Isotopes game and yummy bad-for-you food at the stadium

Sunday - Sunday dinner and brunch with Church friends

Menu Plan Monday is hosted by orgjunkie.com

101 in 1001 Update

It's Monday and time for me to update you all on my progress (or lack there of) on my 101 list. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I saw some unattainable goals on my list, and I have since replaced just a few of them with what I would consider more attainable. Below you will find my COMPLETE list with any updates. Be sure to check back weekly (or maybe every other week) as I update you on my progress.

Just a reminder:
Strike through = complete
Italics = in progress


Bettering Myself
1. Lose 20 pounds (-2/20)
2. Learn American Sign Language
3. Learn to play the guitar
4. Read 101 new books (7/101)
5. Make a complete and utter fool of myself
6. Get in a good nightly routine with face washing and lotion application*
7. Read a Shakespeare play and find somewhere to see it
8. Do 25 push-ups and 50 sit-ups every day (1/1001)
9. Complete a Sudoku book
10. Own a little black dress
11. Complete the couch to 5k run plan
12. Run in a 5k
13. Read 10 books from the banned book list (0/10)
14. Learn to tie a tie
15. Read at least 3 classic novels (0/3)
16. Swim 30,000 yards (500/30,000)
17. Don’t watch TV for at least one day each week (1/143)
18. Stay off the computer for at least one day each week (23/143
)

Being Crafty
19. Finish my latch hook
20. Paint the house (2/9 rooms)
21. Start scrapbooking again
22. Finish the Christmas Tree skirt*
23. Give only homemade gifts for one Christmas
24. Take a quilting class
25. Make a gingerbread house from scratch

Exploring and Experiencing the World
26. Visit 5 new states (0/5)
27. Go on another cruise
28. See the pyramids in Egypt
29. Climb at least one 14er
30. Go to Washington DC and immerse myself in American History
31. Go to the Reagan library in California
32. Road trip to the Grand Canyon
33. Road trip to Mt. Rushmore
34. Spend a weekend in Niagara Falls
35. Travel first class
36. Go to the North Pole

Being Money Smart
37. Pay off our debt
38. Create a budget with Jeremy
39. Save $2,000 using coupons ($201.60/$2,000)

Being Green
40. Plant a tree
41. Plant an herb garden
42. Plant a vegetable garden
43. Get reusable bags for shopping trips

Being a Good Wife
44. Attend a lock in with Jeremy
45. Complete the husband challenge
46. Go on a picnic date at least 3 times (1/3)

47. Kiss Jeremy under mistletoe
48. Go skinny dipping with Jeremy
49. Complete the 30 Day Prayer Challenge*
50. Complete the Song of Solomon Series three times (0/3)
51. Read 6 Books with Jeremy (1/6)
52. Read the whole Bible with Jeremy


All About Food
53. Bake a real cheesecake
54. Attend a wine tasting
55. Find my favorite red and white wine
56. Try 101 new recipes (0/101)*

Being a Good Citizen
57. Pay it forward at Starbucks
58. Spend under $10 for a meal and give a $10 tip
59. Donate blood
60. Do a charity walk/run
61. Go Christmas caroling

Being a Good Friend and Family Member
62. Reconnect with old friends
63. Get to know our neighbors
64. Host a holiday cookie exchange
65. Host a New Year’s party
66. Send a thank you note from every gift received
67. Have a girl’s night
68. Write and mail at least one handwritten letter per month (5/33)


Bloggy World
69. Blog my progress
70. Post this list online
71. Write 101 comments on other peoples blogs (43/101)

Life Decisions
72. Become a Mom
73. Get a job teaching
74. Get a puppy
75. Have Jimmy build us a house
76. Start the graduate program

Being more Christ-like
77. Learn to love my enemies
78. Read every book of the bible (1/66 books or 53/1189 chapters)
79. Serve food at a homeless shelter when it’s not the busy/holiday time
80. Do a thorough study of Proverbs 31
81. Adopt a Compassion Child*

For Fun
82. Use my new snowboard that has been sitting in the closet
83. Stay in bed all day when I’m not sick
84. Send a message in a bottle
85. Fly a kite
86. Watch the complete series of “West Wing” from beginning to end (0/seasons)
87. Have a garage sale
88. Complete a puzzle a year (1/3)
89. Watch AFI’s best 100 movies (1/100)

90. Play in the rain
91. Build a snowman
92. Build a sand castle
93. Upload a video to YouTube
94. Make a snow angel
95. Attend a Murder Mystery Dinner
96. Milk a cow
97. Go to a Jazz club
98. Buy something from Williams & Sonoma for our house
99. Ride the Rail Runner
100. Donate $5 for each item not completed
101. Save $1 for each item completed and spend it on myself

* New Goal

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Fruit of the Spirit :: Self-Control

What a ride it has been looking into the Fruits of the Spirit these past few months. I have taken each fruit and really looked at what it means to me. Looking back, I can see where I have learned and where I have grown. I can also see where I am still falling short, but, with the help of God, I hope to be able to bear fruit the glorifies Him.

This last week, I am taking a look at the fruit -- self-control. Self-control, as according to dear Wikipedia, can be seen as the ability to control ones emotions and desires, is the capacity of efficient management to the future. In psychology it is sometimes called self-regulation. So, in other words, when we act out on our desires, when we act out on our emotions, we are not in self-control.

According to Proverbs, a lack of self control can be detrimental:
"A man without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls" (Proverbs 25:28)
To me, this is very powerful. Can you believe that when we are not in control of our emotions and desires we are defenseless, we are vulnerable to attack? What a great time for the enemy to enter and deflate who we are.

So what can we do?? How can we work to possess self-control?? How do we maintain our own city with strong walls??

First, we need to rely on God for His help in our self-control.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philipians 4:13)
Second, we need to learn to control our words and how we lash out at one another, we need to listen to one another before we overreact and judge, and we should be slow at becoming angry.
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19-20)
Third, we need to realize that we have a choice in how we react. We have a choice in our actions. God has promised He will never give us more than we can handle, and even when we think we have reached the point of no return, He will give us a way out...a way to regain self-control:
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Remember self-control is a choice. We can choose to react in a way that is not glorifying to God by giving into temptation and sin, by using our words incorrectly. Or, we can glorify Him in all we say and do. The choice is yours, and with His help, I believe we can glorify Him and bare the Fruit of our Spirit.

Remember to check out what Carrie has to say about Self-Control. And, if you missed any of the other fruits, be sure to check them out.

Monday, July 13, 2009

101 in 1001 Update

I wish I could say I have accomplished many items on my list since the last time I updated you, but I haven't. What I have come to understand is there are unattainable goals on this list that I need to change. So, next week you will see that I have added and deleted some items. Others, like the getting in shape part, I am going to work hard to catch up on, rather than giving up. So, be sure to look for that next week.

Until then here's what I have been accomplishing:

13. Stay off the computer for at least one day each week (23/143) - Y'all I'm catching up on this. Thanks to some busy house cleaning days, and trips to the mountains, I am almost caught up to the 28 weeks this year we are at. It is my hope that by the end of the summer, I will be caught up. Now, if I could just get to working that darn TV watching!!

41. Plant a tree -- I completed this. Actually, Jeremy and I did. Back in the spring, our city was giving out free tree seedlings. We went and picked up our limit (3) and came back to plant them in pots. We weren't sure where we would want them so we just put them in pots for the time being. Well, this weekend, the time came around and we planted our two surviving seedlings. They are much bigger now, and oh so cute. When we planted them, I made sure to talk sweet to them and encourage them to grow into the big shade trees we know they can be. I know...I'm a bit of a nerd, but it never hurts, right??

88. Complete a puzzle a year (1/3) - Jeremy and I put together our United States License Plate puzzle. Be sure to check back to see what we are going to do with it. I think you might be impressed!!

Until next week, be sure to check out my FULL LIST complete with what I have accomplished and what I am lacking.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Menu Plan Monday


This weeks menu plan Monday is extra special. First, it is the start of the All You Grocery Challenge. I think it's going to be great fun to see how creative and frugal Jeremy and I can be so as to stay in our $50 a week budget. I'm really hoping this is going to be easy for us since our usual monthly budget for groceries is $175. The plan now, how creative and healthy can we be?? Second, it's the first real time that I have cooked since the food poisoning incident. We'll see how it goes!

Breakfasts
Cereal
Oatmeal
Banana Nut Bread
Yogurt Smoothie
Biscuits, Bacon and Eggs
Waffles, Bacon and Eggs

Lunches
Ham Sandwiches
Hot Dogs
Leftovers
Crackers and Soup
*lunches usually with fruit, chips and pudding

Dinners
Buffalo Wild Wings
Tacos
Chicken and Salmon
Dinner at Porter's
Date Night Out
Homemade Pizza
Church Dinner
*Dinners with some sort of potato, vegetable and bread

For more ideas on meal planning, check out Orgjunkie.com

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Fruit of the Spirit :: Gentleness

I grew up on the baseball fields. Not because I was in baseball, or softball, but because my brother was. My brother played baseball from the time I can remember, my dad always coached his teams, and my mom and I were always the best fans. I loved going to the practices and hanging out with the guys.

One skill they always worked on during practice was to have "soft hands". You see, they guys would get in two lines facing one another (much like you would if you were to play Red Rover) and they would toss eggs back and forth to one another. They would have to catch the eggs very gently as to not break it. They were learning how to have these "soft hands" when catching a baseball on the field so as not to drop the ball and to have better control.

I remember a scene in the movie "The Mighty Ducks" in which the kids did the same sort of drill. Instead of throwing and catching eggs, they used their hockey sticks to softly pass the eggs and catch them with their sticks.

When I think of gentleness, this is what first comes to my mind -- tossing and catching eggs. We are to be gentle with our words and our deeds. We are to treat one another like eggs. We are to have soft hands. We aren't to be harsh, we aren't to throw these "eggs" hard. We are to be welcoming with love to one another as we catch one another with soft hands.

How are you when you deal with others? Do you throw or catch one another hard where each others shell breaks, or do you use loving, soft hands?

Be sure to check out Carrie's blog as she talks about gentleness and be sure to check with us next week as we tackle the final fruit -- self-control.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Fruit of the Spirit :: Faithfulness

I feel, outside of love, the most important factor in any relationship is faithfulness. If I have any inclination that my husband wasn't a man who was of faithful character, you better believe we would never have said "I do". At the same time, my closest friends are those who are faithful to our friendship. They are the ones who are always there without an agenda. They take our friendship serious, and wouldn't do anything to jeopardize it.

For me, I am the same way. I feel that my faithfulness in my marriage is a part of the glue that holds us together. Also, my faithfulness in my friendships also keeps them blooming. But what about my relationship with God?? How faithful am I to Him??

I pray....most of the time. I study the word...when I don't get to busy. I worship Him....on Sundays. Outside of that, how truly faithful am I to following the Lord? I would say I lack so much. I let my busy life and unprioritized priorities get in the way. I am faithful with my worldly relationships, but the one that I should be the most faithful with, I fall short.

How many of you are like me? How many of you will put your relationship with your husband and kids before your relationship with your Savior? I am really excited for this summer. A group of great ladies and I have started a bible study that takes a look at our thoughts and how we perceive ourselves. I'm super excited for this study, as I hope it will get me into the Word on a daily basis and really help me to be faithful to God.

Where do you need to work on faithfulness? What do you need to take up, or let go of this summer to be more faithful to God, your family or your friends? Faithfulness is a part of the glue that bonds our relationships, is yours watered down or super in strength??

Be sure to check out Carrie's blog and see what she has to say about Faithfulness. Until next week when we take a look at gentleness.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Fruit of the Spirit :: Goodness

8. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
9. (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
10. and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10
As a follower of Christ, I strive to live in the light and allow the light to live in me. In Ephesians 5, that light is to be made up of all goodness, but what does that mean? What is goodness, and what does it mean to me?

God old Websters defines goodness as follows:
the state or quality of being good; moral excellence; the best part of anything
I don't know about you, but I feel these are all qualities Jesus possessed, and which he commands us to possess. When I look at this definition, I see a clear correlation between possessing goodness and being holy, or set apart.

But what does that mean? How do I go about having this goodness? For me, I think it's looking at it as being set apart. We are to be different. We are to act in a more Christlike manner. We are to help those who need it. Pray for those who need it. Be a shoulder for a friend, an encouraging word for a loved one, and an example for those who may not know Him yet. Isn't that what God did for us?

Be sure to check back next time as we take a look at Faithfulness. Until then, be sure to check out Carrie's blog My World and see what she has to say about Goodness.