Worked all day...

We worked outside most of the day today. It was SUCH a beautiful day!! Got lots of limbs cut down and cut up and weeds pulled. Oh...those weeds! They're EVERYWHERE!! Dennis cut back the Iris bed so we can thin and transplant, maybe tomorrow afternoon. They haven't been thinned for 9 years and that doesn't settle well with pickiunie Iris'! It's no wonder we didn't have a beautiful Iris bed this year...poor guys were bein' smothered!

I worked on the porch while Dennis was in the flowers...moving furniture out, vaccuming the screens, washing the windowsills and washing the furniture. About this time of year, there is a fine dust that settles everywhere but it's gone now! (at least on the porch, at least for now!) I rearranged the furniture too...putting the table directly out the kitchen door and the loveseat and chairs on the south end, which makes it easier to carry food in and out. (Dennis say's I never had any problems doing that before! Ha!) So...the floor is vaccumed, the rugs have been shaken and the furniture was put in place. Tomorrow, Mom and Dad and Tom and Jeanne are coming for dinner! Pulled Pork will be the main dish...we'll see what I can drum up for the rest. Maybe someone would want to make me a big ol' batch of "cake balls on a stick" treats?? It won't be me!! Not tomorrow!
graphics by: Designer Digitals Ad Challenge, Patti Knox

The Guest Room's READY!!!

What's a girl do when her hubby is working Evenings???

Well, she's kinda hungry...all she had was the farm breakfast, then a Lean Cusine late afternoon....so she finds a "Healthy Zucchini Bread" recipe online.

And it DOES have WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR in it!!

Afterall, it DOES have healthy walnuts in it! And Ally gave her TON'S of fresh zucchini!

...and she used the leftover currants that Sandy had her buy for little chick eyes last Easter!

and whole wheat flour is in it!!! (Did mention that??)

and it made 2 whole (wheat) loaves!

Doesn't that just exude healthy??

UH-OHHH....who did THAT??

did she...or didn't she??

Well, honey is gonna be a happy man about 11:30 tonight!!

Later addition: OH...this is sooooo good you guys! I love it when I don't waste good ingredients on bad food!




"Healthified" Zucchini Bread
Have a bumper crop of zucchini? Capture that classic taste in a lightened version that's only half the fat of the original recipe. From eatbetteramerica.
Prep Time:25 min
Start to Finish:2 hr 35 min
makes:2 loaves (12 slices each)

2 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (about 2 medium)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce (I used Apple Butter to mix it up a little)
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup fat-free egg product or 3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups sugar (I used 1 c. sugar...wanted it to be really healthy!)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups Gold Medal® whole wheat flour
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup currants or raisens (I added these on my own and they are not figured in the nutritional info.)

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottoms only of 2 (8x4-inch) loaf pans with cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, mix zucchini, applesauce, oil, egg product, vanilla and sugar until well blended. Stir in all remaining ingredients except walnuts until well blended. Stir in walnuts. Spoon batter evenly into pans.
3. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen sides of loaves from pans; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.


Nutritional Information

1 Serving: Calories 180 (Calories from Fat 60); Total Fat 6g (Saturated Fat 1/2g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 170mg; Total Carbohydrate 26g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 14g); Protein 3g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 2%; Calcium 0%; Iron 6% Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 1 Fat (that's before the butter!)

Anyone wanna go into business??

I couldn't resist! LOL!

A MUST HEAR!!!

I listen to this man, my former pastor in Lincoln, each week when I do my ironing. I cannot tell you how many times I've had to pull out my Bible and follow along with his teaching, how many times I've fallen to my knees right there by the ironing board in raw repententance b/c of such conviction by the Word, rejoiced at the truth as it is written WITHOUT excuse from this man and have just been so thankful that God has used his teaching in my past and even more thankful that I can still access his teaching through the internet! (wow...run on sentence!) For those of you that still have the blessing of sitting under Gil's teaching each week, praise GOD for this! It's difficult to be in this world and not be a part of this world, but with the Word being taught like this man teaches it...we have a much clearer understanding of how we are to live.
This message has given me such encouragement to be discerning. It's so easy to let up, lest you be an "outcast" in today's world where all types of sinful lifestyles and such are promoted. Just last night I listened to Senator Clin.ton's speech at the Dem.ocratic Convention and she listed all kinds of promises that their party would fulfill IF they were voted into office next November. She literally listed 8-10 lifestyle "types" that would be supported, but she failed to mention Biblical Christianity. Oh...at the end, she did say "God Bless America", but I hear that on the streets everyday by people that are blaspheming my God. Our leaders have strayed and have been deluded by the enemy. Let us hold fast to the instruction before us, in the Word of the Living God...that we might be found worthy BECAUSE of our faith in His only son, Jesus Christ. Salvation is found in no other. Amen!

If you have 54 minutes or so, click on the above link, turn up the volume and prepare to be taught the Word of God!

The Curious Little Kitten...

graphics by: nicole seitler, sugarplumpaperie

Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Sandy's Beauties Pictured Above...Cheryl's Recipe (tweaked from Grandma's!)

Favorite Cinnamon Rolls
(bread machine or not)

1/4 c. melted butter
1/2 c. warm water
2/3 c. warm milk
3 c. bread flour +a little for rolling out
2 eggs (use at room temp)
3 T. sugar
1 t. salt
3 t. yeast (I use quick rise)

Filling:

1/2 c. melted butter (for brushing over dough)
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar (actually, I don't even measure this..I just make it up and put it on...if there is extra, I save it)
2 T + cinnamon ( only use Watkins!)
1/2 c. raisins (opt.)
nuts (opt.)

Select dough cycle. Roll out dough on a floured board to a 22"x14" rectangle. Brush with melted butter. Combine remaining filling ingred. and sprinkle over dough. Roll jellyroll fashion, starting with long edge. Seal edges and slice into 1 1/2" slices. (this recipe makes one lovely 9x13 pan (12) or thinner jelly roll pan (16). Place side down onto baking sheet or put in a greased and sugared glass baking dish. (I've used aluminum). Cover and let rise in a warm place till doubled, about 45 min. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min. till done. Brush with melted butter and drizzle with icing of choice. Best when warm, but I've baked these and frozen them, then frosted them after warming again. Always a hit!

Maple icing:
Makes a BIG batch.

1/2 stick butter
1 c. brown sugar

Melt together and JUST bring to a boil over med heat, stirring constantly. Take off fire and add 1/4 c. cream or milk. Stir well to incorporate. Add about 2 c. pwd. sugar and 1 t. vanilla (I use only Watkins) and a dribble of maple flavoring. Beat the tar out of it...and glaze the rolls.

Oh my...enjoy these warm with a tall glass of cold milk!!! Can't beat it and if you make these fresh when hubby comes home....he'll do whatever you want!!! : )

Chicago afternoon...

Yesterday was a GREAT day in Chicago!! After church, I waited patiently (okay, not so patiently!) for the 1:00 hour! It was then that I could call the nice lady in North Chicago to see if the people who had called before me came and bought the bed I thought I "needed". Well, she answered the phone and said that it was mine...the people never came, nor did they call! I would share my private little prayer request, but I feel rather foolish praying for such material things...you get the picture! I was so excited b/c now I was beginning to see Amy's old room come together and I wasn't going to have to pay for a bedroom set...I can use what I have with this beautifully!
This dear lady was headed downtown Chicago to see her newborn grand daughter...so I gave her a little grace and let her go! (I wouldn't have even been at home to answer my phone if it were ME having a new grandbaby!!) She said she'd be home at 6:00 and at 6:03, Dennis and I pulled in their driveway! It was PERFECT!! Such a nice couple...and her mister was so kind to dismantle the bed so we could pack it nicely in the back of the truck. As is normal for Chicago...the traffic coming back from the northside was wicked ugly on a Sunday afternoon...so my Mister decided to pull off and treat his wifey to Connies Pizza just north (I believe) from Chinatown. I've always got my mouth gaping as we drive through that little 2 block village, and this time was no exception. Anyhow...we parked, had a wonderful dinner on the deck, shivvering all the while. Dennis said it felt "GREAT"! Back through the village and boy, did it look like we were in the Olymp.ic Village!!! Everything was written in Chinese, lights blinking and sparkling all over, and people milling around like caged animals being let out after these past hot couple weeks in Chicago! I was glad to be heading back out to the boonies.

There is somethin to be said about rural livin! I LOVE IT! And now I have a primitive bed to make it even more countryfied! What a GREAT DAY!

Back to the Country!!

Friday evening, the kids came over for dinner and then we all went to visit Grandpa and Grandma...and got their old mattress set loaded in the truck and out of their garage. Back to our house for Adam and Dennis to lug that thing upstairs. Not going down emptyhanded...they carried our old King set down to the truck and loaded that. Sat. AM...after getting some of our own chores done, we headed out to the country again, this time looking a little like Sanford and Son...toting a King sized mattress set! (good way to keep the cars off your tail!) Dennis and Adam got it secured so there was no way it would blow out! Unloaded that monster, then I helped Ally clean her house and do laundry while the boys went to help Tim (Adam's Dad) put siding on his shed. They were back at the kids' house about the same time we got the cleaning done and Ally made pizza and salad. Had to get a few snaps of the day! She got a new rug that is AWESOME!! (too modern for this old lady, but I'll love to lay on it and watch a moobie someday!)

Speaking of beds...I just snagged a bargain off Crai.gslist and we're driving up to Lake Forest to pick it up this afternoon! Amy's room has been and echo chamber ever since she left town, and I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg to furnish it. Sofar...so good! I'll post pics when I get it set up. Craigs.list is such and amazing way to get things at quite a discount if you don't mind used things. They even have new stuff on there, but I prefer the old. I'm cheap like that. Wait'll you see this prize! I called the lady yesterday morning but she said that someone else had just called and was coming around noon today to get it. I sulked a bit, but knew if it was meant for me to have it, the Lord would see to it that I got it. Well, I called at 1:00 today and she said that it was mine if I wanted it b/c the other people never called or came!
Hope it's as good as the picture! Ha! We'll have a nice drive, none the less!

Along the "cake" lines....

Well ladies...I've earmarked this blog for a long time thinking I would make these DARLING little cakes, but Dennis would eat all of them in one sitting. (Really, it is me that would do that but he's always said that I could use him as an excuse if I need an out to keep from sinning!) So...if you're feeling strong or you have a load of kids a comin'...check it out! Too CUTE! I was going to post this on your blog comment section Sandy, but then realized you asked us not to do that...so it's here on mine. If anyone does this...take a picture and show us! It is SUCH a cute idea...kind of reminds me of Bon-Bons...you know the kind of thing you eat on the couch watching soap operas while your kids are out for RECESS! Ha..that ones for YOU Kathy! :) Anyhow...here it is. There are several ideas on there, just scroll down and prepare to AWWW! Enjoy!

www.bakerella.blogspot.com/search/label/cupcake%20pops

Sing to Jesus, Fernando Ortega

I am often encouraged by other womens blogs and today was no exception! I stumbled across this song early today as I prepared my heart for worship...and had to share it with you, my friends and family. Such a beautiful song, written about our GLORIOUS Savior, who gave his life so that we may live! May you too be encouraged as you worship and "Sing to Jesus"!



Come and see, look on this mystery
The Lord of the Universe, nailed to a tree
Christ our God, spilling His Holy blood
Bowing in anguish, His sacred head

Sing to Jesus, Lord of our shame
Lord of our sinful hearts.
He is our great Redeemer.
Sing to Jesus, Honor His name.
Sing of His faithfulness, pouring His life out unto death

Come you weary and He will give you rest
Come you who mourn, lay on His breast
Christ who died, risen in Paradise
Giver of mercy, Giver of Life

Sing to Jesus His is the throne
Now and forever,
He is the King of Heaven.
Sing to Jesus, we are His own.
Now and forever sing for the love our God has shown.

Sing to Jesus, Lord of our shame
Lord of our sinful hearts.
He is our great Redeemer.
Sing to Jesus, Honor His name.

Sing to Jesus His is the throne
Now and forever,
He is the King of Heaven.
Sing to Jesus, we are His own.
Now and forever sing for the love our God has shown.

Phoenix Shoppin' Spree!

Phoenix Sunday

Phoenix Saturday

Phoenix Day 1

All good things must come to an end...

I've spent the most WONDERFUL week in Phoenix but today it's time for me to head back north again. Last time I made this 4 hr. journey, I was going back to the frigid tundra of Chicago (which sounds VERY good about now!) WITH my daughter, but this time I go back leaving her in the arms of her hubby! This is a good thing. Even though I am loving my time here, it's time to go home for a couple of reasons:

#1 I've been away from my sweetie for a week. It's these separations that make me realize how much we are "one" and how much I miss him when I'm not with him! Being with my married kids for this long helps me see how time marches on and stands still for no one. It was only yesterday that Dennis and I were the newlyweds, giggling and laughing, sharing our hopes and dreams with one another and smiling at the future.
(Oh...this hasn't changed a BIT...we were just a lot younger then and our hopes and dreams didn't hurt so much the next day as we worked on those projects together!) It's so fun and SUCH a blessing to see Brian and Amy live this love and for me to get a tiny glimpse of their happiness together. Their home is beautiful and their marriage is equally as beautiful! It's so sweet for me to see how God is working in my daughters life and how HE has gone before her all these years and molded her into the woman that was to be Brian's wife and helpmate someday! I've had the opportunity this past week to see how Amy has a desire and passion to do things that Brian just smiles about, but really isn't interested in getting involved in. On the flip side, I've seen Brian take over and do the things that Amy isn't as "given to". A good reminder how the Lord puts a man and a woman together to compliment one another. Yes, this week was a gift...and I've been blessed indeed! Thank you kids!!!

#2 While it is good to go...it's better to come HOME! I've needed this time of rest and relaxation...a hug from my kids, some good hard work to help work out the kinks, a couple of AMAZING mountain drives and a good helping of solid spiritual food! I've had all the above! I have pictures to post, but will do that when I get to my own computer again, but suffice it to say that Brian has put up with some pretty smelly evenings these past few days. Their bedroom and bathroom are a new color and their dining table now has 2 coats of polyurethane on it so they can set their glasses on it without worrying about water spots! It feels so good to have big projects behind you and everything is so fresh and clean. It's GREAT to go visit, but it's MAHVELOUS to get home! I'm sure it's the same for the kids...great that I could come visit, but it'll be wonderful to have the house back to themselves. They have been so terrific to me...letting me slip into their lives for a week...lovin' on little Rylie and getting to know her in a way I haven't really had the opportunity to do until now...and letting me give my advice (you KNOW I AM the Answer Mans wife!) on decorating and other things that they have probably already figured out on their own!
(Oh...btw...move over Dennis...Brian is the Answer Man down here...and a pretty smart one I might add!!!) Ha!

Yes, it was a wonderful week! I haven't had medical issues on my mind at all and I go home so relaxed! Thank you Brian and Amy for your amazing hospitality! See you all in 2 months back in Chicago...and I'm bringin' Dad down for a week in Feb. I LOVE this place!

Happy Birthday Dear Amy...

I'm in Phoenix!!! Well, actually, I'm still in Chicago, but I'm trying out this "schedule later" posting option, so if it doesn't do it right...well, once again I prove how computer savy I'm NOT! Ha! Anyhow...I just wanted to make sure yall knew today was Amy's 29th BD and I'm with her to celebrate! Dennis is coming down in the winter...smart man, but Amy and I can have fun in the heat just as well as the cool. Don't know if I'll have any time to post while I'm there b/c we are planning on painting and playing till we drop! Everyone pop in and give my little gal a Happy BD shout out!!

Amy has been (and still is!) such a wonderful daughter! I've stood beside her for 29 years watching the Lord mature her into a godly young woman. I've seen HIM answer her long awaited prayers in bringing Brian back into her life after so many years of separation, not even knowing it was him she was praying for all that time! It is my prayer that she will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as she is a blessing to her husband and to those in her new church home. She has so many gifts to share and Arizona will be blessed to have her in their midst!

I love you babygirl! And I miss you more than you'll EVER know! You have been by my side at some of my lowest moments and those are the times I think I will cherish most! For it was then that I saw Christ in your heart, your first glimmer of compassion for the brokenhearted! You were there, skipping your college classes to hold my hand and pray for me, reminding me that I was going to be okay! God is so good...even as he has taken you some 1600? miles away...HE has kept my heart full of joy with the memories we share! Happy Birthday dear Amy, Happy Birthday to YOU!!! Now...let's get ta making some Arizona memories! I have my shoes on this time!!

I love you.
Graphics: Irene Alexeeva/Birthday Funk!

Headed to the Desert~~~

I haven't seen Amy and Brian since the week after their wedding but today that's going to change! (Lord willing!) I'm getting ready to leave for the airport and will land in HOT Phoenix at 11 something this morning. First stop...Schlotzkies...then an Antique Shop! This evening, we are going out to celebrate Amy's BD, just the 3 of us, in Old Scottsdale dining at one of their favorite Mexican joints! Then tomorrow, Amy's "actual" BD, we will enjoy with Rylie while I make her favorite BD dinner. So thankful I can make this little trip!
Pray for Dad while I'm gone...he's not feeling too well again, has been back in the ER once, and is set up with a Home Health Care nurse as well as a Physical Therapist 3 times a week beginning next week. I wish he could gain his strength back again...I just don't know. Thanks for your prayers.

Talk to you from that very hot place!!! (no, I'm saved...I'm speaking of Phoenix!)

A Day in the Country!

We had so much fun at Adam and Ally's Country Home this weekend!! Went out Sat. around 11ish after having called the Orchard...the Freestone peaches are running a week behind, so we decided to wait a couple weeks to go pickin. Hope there are still peaches left by then! We piddled in the garden, the boys worked on Dennis' new "toy" that Adam got for him at the last tractor show. This is supposed to be a prize, but I'm thinking more along the lines of "money pit"! They will have fun restoring their "twin" patio Tractors together this Fall and Winter! Ally and I canned another 7 pints of Bread and Butter pickles and while she started dinner, I discovered another pint or so of wild blackberries. Not sure what she'll do with those, but I did find a great recipe for Blackberry/ Peach Crumble for her. The boys were then working on the cabinet top...remember the one I got for her from Jenny's trash? Well, it's black now...and all scuffed up. Patty and Tim (Adams folks) came over to join us for dinner that night and in exchange, Tim had to help Dennis and Adam hang that 400 lb. monster above her utilities! OH..it is so cute! She is going to send pics of the finished product...they had to get a few things for it after church on Sunday and it's now DONE! We spent the night and then went to church with them as they are seeking God's direction for a new church home. It's always difficult to know where the Lord is leading, so they would appreciate your prayers as they wait for direction. Off to lunch at Red Robin, then we came home for a long summers nap! (poor boy was worn to a frazzle!)
I love the country...wish I had a piece of land of my own, but for now, I'm quite content in the city...doin' what I do. What DO I do anyhow?

Sorry about the deleted comments...

I can't seem to figure out how to add my chatter (not that this is important!) when I post a photobucket slideshow...so unfortunately, those of you who left sweet comments for Dad in the one below got deleted when I deleted the entire post and had to redo it b/c it wouldn't load right. (Man, I can't even explain it very well!!) No big deal...just wanted you to know that I didn't do it on purpose!!

Dennis left this morning for Minneapolis. The weather is beautiful up there as well, but I miss him already! I helped Dad and Mom today with things they needed help with, bought a mattress set (so I can sleep better...yeah, right!), did laundry and worked on a special post that you'll get to see very soon!

I have my suitcase out on the spare bed...laying out clothes and trying to pack wisely so I didn't have to pay for checked luggage...just taking my carry on.

That didn't work.

I'll pay the extra $30.00!! Can't wait to fly south...and it's not even Winter yet!

Dad's Homecoming!!

DAD CAME HOME!!!

Thought that would get your attention!! It's true...Mom and I went to pick him up at 10:00 this morning and by the time all was said and done, we picked up P.apa Jo.hns Pizza at noon and were sitting at their dining room table at 12:30 chowin' down! It was soooo good to get him home and while Mom busied herself with unpacking his stuff and getting that organized, Dad put together a shower chair (which has to go back b/c the legs are uneven!...so much for Al.di's stuff!) and I worked on getting all 18 (YES THAT IS EIGHTEEN!!!!) prescriptions communicated to his dear Dr. Marshall and she called them all in for him. I worked up a new med list for him (to keep them all straight), then went to pick them up. Wait till you see the sack they came in...honestly, it was embarassing! (Oh...I have Pictures, alright!!) It's a shame that any one person would have to take so many meds to stay alive, but this is where he is for now. Please pray that the Lord would allow him a smooth transition back to homelife. Can you imagine basically being in a hospital for 4 months?? Next Tues. would have been FOUR MONTHS that he's been in lock-up! Kinda like he went to war for a few months! He's so glad to be home...with the deck door open and feeling the warm summer breezes blow in! Looking forward to the end of Aug. when maybe they'll shuck a few of those meds though! He's doing GREAT! By the afternoon, his legs get pretty tired, but so do mine! : ) His home health nurse comes to visit tomorrow...and we are going to Adam and Ally's for the weekend. Peaches are ripe...and we want to get plenty canned for the winter! Remind you of anything Kristin??? Adam and Dennis are going to work on Dennis' new prize!! Adam gave Dennis a late 1960's John Deere Patio model 112...red and white. I'll get a snap of that baby this weekend....I hear it's a real "piece"! Ha! If anyone knows where we can get a red seat...let us know!! It's gonna be kinda hard to mow sitting on a metal rod! HA!

Lots of pics to come on Sunday or Monday...whenever we come back to city livin'!

Finally, a CLEAN Kitchen!

FINALLY....I got my kitchen cleaned! I motivated my "need to get that done" by buying new wool braided rugs at a local Primitive shop which is going out of business. They were on sale, 40% off! I couldn't resist! I still have a cluttered bookcase, but I need one of my kiddo's to come over and do the honors on that one! (It's a PIECE OF WORK!! LOL!) I have been needing to scrub that floor on my hands and knees for so long...like about 3 years {hanging her head} and I finally did it! After scrubbing it the first time with light soapy water, I went over it with clear vinegar water and a dry towel to make it shine! Then, I tackled some of the other past due kitchen chores! Took me ALL day!! I still have a few things I'd like to get done in there, like getting rid of some of the dishes and cooking utensils that I've not used since we moved in over 9 years ago, but I will need help doing that too. It's hard for me to toss those things with memories...even if I got them for a song at the thrift store...THAT, to me is a memory! (right girls?) I was so thankful to get this job done...but I'll tell you...the next day, I thought I was on my deathbed! My goodness, I'm so out of shape! I figure by the time I get the whole house spiffed up, I should be fit as a fiddle!

Then...there's the basement! Another day, another blog!

graphics: ksharonkdesigns

Strong in HIS Grace!

Steve Troxels daily devotions often speak right to my heart. Today is no exception and I put some of these on my blog not only to encourage you, my dear friends and family, but for me as well, so I can quickly access the entries that particularly remind me of that which needs to be changed in my own life. That of growing CLOSER to my Savior! I think so many of us (speaking of humankind in general) THINK we are Christians b/c we were raised in a Christian home or we had some "spiritual experience that moved us" at one point, yet our lifestyle hasn't changed and all too often is lived out in direct opposition to what the Word of God carefully lay's out for us. If we continue to live our life contrary to what the Bible clearly teaches is sin, then it is also clear that we are not saved and we have been decieved. I lived my life like that for 25+ years until the Lord, in His infinate mercy, chose to save me from my sin and open my eyes to the way I was living. (You see, before that, I didn't think what I was doing WAS wrong because compared to the world, I was doing much better than they were!) From that moment on...I went a new direction. Of course, I continued to struggle with my old lifestyle from time to time, but when I was living that way, I was miserable. I guess that's what I'm trying to say today...if we are truly saved yet allow a pattern of sin rule our lives, our Heavenly Father WILL allow us to be miserable! At that point, we are not functioning in a manner that he created us to do, therefore we will not be content! I find so often when I'm worrying about things or just discontent in general, I can trace it back to letting those sinful thoughts and desires creep back into my heart. ROOT THEM OUT...GET RID OF THEM...REPLACE THEM with solid Biblical instruction and obey! Let us all be about the business of glorifying our Great God instead of indulging our appetite for worldy passions. Oh...I'm guilty. Once again I crawl to the throne of grace...

"When we are brought to the point of belief - the point where we see our sin, desire to change, and acknowledge God's Son as our only way to eternal life - we ask, in faith, for Jesus to forgive our sins and be our Savior. At that very moment, the grace of God abounds, His Spirit transforms our heart and He picks us up as His child: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The moment of true Salvation is without question the most significant event in our Christian life. In that moment, we are "born again" (John 3:7) and become a "new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) through the power of the Holy Spirit; "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit" (John 3:6). In fact, the moment of Salvation is so significant that even if we seem to stumble through every step past that point, we still have reason to rejoice with every breath - we are children of the King and will spend all eternity in His glorious Kingdom.

Our journey with God can indeed be rocky. As we continue down His path we are to strive for holiness and purposeful worship in our life. We are to diligently seek Him and "learn the secret of being content in any and every situation" (Philippians 4:12). We must learn to "trust in the Lord with all our heart" (Proverbs 3:5), but we must also remember that "apart from Me {Jesus}, you can do NOTHING" (John 15:5). If we strive for anything in our own strength, we are all destined to slip and fall.

2 Timothy 2:1
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

This means we must continue to trust in His grace and in His grace alone. We did nothing to earn our Salvation, and we can do nothing to maintain our right standing before God - nothing besides belief in His Son; "Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:3).

We are saved by the grace of God and we must continue to live by this same grace: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught" (Colossians 2:6). Our Heavenly Father will determine our path to holiness, purpose, contentment, and trust -and His grace will equip us with all we need for the journey.

Let's completely trust in the saving grace of Jesus! Let's apply the strength of His grace today in every trial and temptation. Let's live a life of pure and holy devotion by always remaining strong in His grace."

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

All In A Day's Work!!

I've been a cleanin' today!

I love it when I wake up in a cleaning mood! (that doesn't happen very often, but it needs to happen frequently around this house!) After last weeks canning session, I had to work on the stove. I'm going to be tackling my entire kitchen next week, but for today, a quick once over for the main kitchen, but detailing the stove had to happen. I FINALLY found that the Magic Era.ser came to my rescue! Before, yes, it worked, but it didn't knock my socks off...today...different story! After a quick wipedown of the top, I found the magic era.ser and went to work. Whallaa....slick as a whistle! Wonder how long that'll take me to get over the entire floor? Ha! Next week, I'm cleaning my hardwood floor on my hands and knees (the only way I can do a really good job!) and putting my new braided rugs down. The cabinets, inside and out will happen first, then...I MUST do something with that overloaded bookcase! I might wait till Amy gets here...she's good a discarding junk I don't need. I'm not.