The theft of self sufficiency

Today I believe most American’s would say the number one issue is the economy. Even though terrorism continues at the same pace since 2001, the economy still pervades most of our thinking.  What if there was a grander economy than our own?  What if there were higher laws of commerce that applied to our everyday to and fro?  What if God had an economy that He utilizes?

There is and He does.

It is very clear how He works and how he wants us to exchange with him and with others.  Here is how it works: It starts with this – “Freely you have been given, freely give.”  First, it is important to know that he is the giver, the provider and the source.  Second, he asks us to hold what he has given us loosely in our hands.  Third, he wants us to give to others the blessings he has given us.
In essence we are distributors of the blessing process.  The God economy is meant to flow through our hands into others hands and vice versa.  Jesus explained it to his disciples when he gave them instructions on how God’s economy works.(Matthew 10)  He told them to go into a village two by two and say to people that God is near, heal, cure and help.  Give to people freely as you have received freely.  Now, here is specifically how it works.  He told them not to take any clothing, food, money or extra shoes.  He simply told them to look for someone to bless. When they gave this blessing to someone and they returned the favor, stay with them and receive whatever they had to give in return.  God’s economy is built on us freely giving and freely receiving.  God gives to us through the very people we bless.  His economy flows through the fingers and wallets of those we bless.
Did you notice what Jesus told his disciples?  Don’t bring anything.  No food, no money, no extra stuff.  Why?  Can you imagine Peter bringing a donkey with supplies into a village? Peter gets hungry and decides to pull of on a side street for a bite of fish sandwich that was probably average at best.  By being self-sufficient Peter would miss the feast he would have received through his blessing of healing, curing, helping.  Instead he would have only gotten what he brought.  Anytime we settle for what we bring, we miss out on the best that God gives. You also can eat your own meal alone or you can go out in fellowship and enjoy a feast with God’s people.
God’s economy is built on the premise of trust.  All he asks us to do is trust him with our means.  He asks us not to settle for what we can make with our own hands, but trust that he will provide our needs through the  people we bless.  The key was to find someone to receive our blessing.  He also states to shake the dust off our feet with those that don’t accept us.  Move on from those who do not accept his blessing, he will take care of them.
This is not suggesting we don’t have a job or not to make money.  God’s economy works at work.  When you give freely of your best you receive God’s payment through the company in which you work.  Be a blessing to your work place and to the people around you.  God is asking us to trust the way he has set things up.  When we trust His system it works.  When we take means into our own hands we get what we deserve -- our own means.  God’s economy is always reliable and stronger than mine.  In God we Trust $.

One more simple treat...

I still like simple.  There are just too many things demanding my time and attention right now. I am finding ways to cut back, simplify, slow down (not really) and prioritize.  Of course the holidays cause a ridiculous amount of added stress and pressure to an already over stuffed life.  Refusing to participate crossed my mind.  No tree, no lights, no gift wrapping, no big dinner, just peace and quiet on earth. Then I realized my family would either disown me or medicate me.  And of course  the guilt  starts talking,  "If I were the woman/wife/mom I should be I would have the house decorated, the eggnog warming and the music playing ready for holiday visitors."   Hopefully I am landing somewhere in the middle.  Yes to the tree and the lights, easy on the gift buying, a little bit of sewing, a lot of  Christmas music and of course some candy making.  Here is my quick and easy solution to Chocolate Toffee.  And it is good!

Chocolate Toffee:
Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray heavy with PAM.
Bring to boil 1/2 cup butter (one stick) and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar.
 stir and boil for 2 minutes.  Pour over the crackers.

Place in 350' oven for 3 1/2 minutes until brown and bubbly. 

Take out and sprinkle with chocolate chips, (put back in the oven for just a minute to soften the chips.)
Smooth out the chocolate, sprinkle with chopped pecans, push them down into the chocolate. 

Let cool completely and break into pieces.  The whole thing taks about 10 minutes, plus the cooling time of course.

 You can use white chocolate and pepermint peices on top for that holiday look.  Great for cookie exchange or office party.  I don't even need to go to the store because I usually I have this stuff sitting in the kitchen.

  No fuss, no stress.  Simple :-)

I like simple.

I like simple I find I like a simple less complicated life. Here is a great simple little treat that tastes like you made homemade holiday candy.
You will need:                                         
1 bag pretzels, waffle shape
1 bag Rolos
1 small bag pecan halved
You will:
Place pretzels on a cooking sheet, place a Rolo on top of each. Heat in an oven for 3-4 minutes, push a pecan down onto each, cool on refrigerator.

The more simple your life the less you have to worry over. Truly, the fewer gadgets the less there is to break and need repair. the fewer activities the less chance of running late, feeling frazzled or pressured. The less money the less the less demand for more.
Simple has a way of showing clarity and encouraging focus. Focus on the little things, the free things. Focus on people instead of things. Jesus said to seek first . . . and all these things will be a added. The necessary things will be with in our grasp if our arms aren't too full of other stuff.
So enjoy some holiday candy. You can crumble peppermints on top or drizzle with white chocolate for a really festive look. I just serve them like this. 'Cause you know me. I like simple,

Color of Humility

My supervisor shared an article from Character First with me and it was just too good not to pass on. Here is my version of it.

When you buy a box of crayons all the colors are crisp and clean with pointed ends and neat wrappers.  After just a short time if you open the box you will find crayons that fit into  three categories.  The first consists of a handful of pristine crayons that have rarely been used; the tips are still sharp and the wrappers appear new.  The second group, the largest of the three, no longer appear new.  The tips are slightly rounded and wrappers slightly scuffed.  The final group contains the smallest number of crayons.  These are the workhorses, the crayons you go to time and again.  The wrappers are gone, the tips are nonexistent, and many are broken in half. 

Our character qualities are like the crayons.  Each is important, but some are used more than others.  Of all of these qualities, humility is among the most important because it provides a backdrop for so many others.  If arrogance destroys relationships, humility is the bridge that restores them.  Humility is found in the acknowledgement that our lives are intertwined with others.  It includes the recognition that others have made investments in our lives that we cannot fully repay.  Humility allows us to see the people who have come before us and upon whose efforts we are now standing  The result of the is not simply gratefulness, it is the realization that our quality of life is linked to the quality of our relationships.  When we understand the value of others we will more fully invest in others because we recognize such an investment is always worth the cost.  

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as more important than yourselves, do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interests of others.  

Philippians 2: 3-4

Good night girls, one more time.

While in Honduras over spring break,  the women with MRCC and West-Ark Church had a song, a scripture  thought and a prayer to end each day.  These wonderful women sang beautifully and said the most sincere, encouraging prayers. The following are the scriptures we read together at night.

You are ambassadors, diplomats of the highest rank sent by a sovereign to deliver a message.  Why you?  So that you might teach the children with words and by example when you are dong what is right & just.  Do everything without complaining or arguing.  Shine like stars bringing light and joy, showing the way and give a sense of peace to those around you. Do not become weary in doing this.  Do not give up. You have so many opportunities to do good to all.  Take them, especially  taking care of  God's family.  Live without disturbing others.  Your peaceful life will win the respect of outsiders. The quiet voice will be heard.  As a church, the way we interact, the way we love and encourage each other; we show God's complex & diverse wisdom to the rulers in the heavenly realms.  You are the light of the world. You cannot be hidden, you cannot be extinguished. You will give light and hope to everyone in the house.  Let your light shine.  LET as is "let the sun shine in."  Not make it shine or help it shine.  Your light comes from within, the result of a life lived for God with godly attitudes.  Be humble put others first.  Mourn for the lost, the weak and poor and sick.  Be meek & gentle.  Show mercy.  Have a pure heart.  Be a peacemaker.  Have a hunger for righteousness. It doesn't matter where you are but it is all about WHO you are.  Develop these attitudes and be a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.  Where ever you go - let your light so shine that they will see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.

II Cor. 5:19-20
Gen. 18:19
Phil. 2:14-15
Gal. 6:9-10
I Thes. 4:11-12
Eph. 3:10-11
Matt. 5:13-15
Matt. 5:3-15

What a great week.  I miss you all.  Good night girls.

World's best sewing cabinet!

For years I had a sewing room because I didn't need or want a formal dinning room and I liked being able to make a mess and simply close the door on it.  Well, the family grew up, some have gotten married, it is truly treasured family time when we all get together.  I changed my mind.  I want a formal dinning room with a BIG table we all can sit around and eat and talk and laugh and love.  Downsizing my sewing room with drawers and drawers of material and craft supplies, 3 sewing machines, ironing board, computer and printer was not going to be an easy task.  In fact my husband said I couldn't do it.  Maybe not by myself, so I recruited him to help.  Yep the wonderful hubby agreed to build a sewing cabinet for me.  I designed and redesigned what I thought would fit all 3 sewing machines, most of my supplies (I needed to do some de-cluttering anyway.)  We decided to buy an antique armoire and he would build the inside to my specs.  What a delight!  It was a beautiful piece of furniture to begin with and now it is both beautiful and very functional. I use it all the time.  And I love it. So I share it with you! 

It sits there in the breakfast room looking all nice and proper.....

IF you open the right side it has shelves and a bottom drawer, there were already in it just as is.  

Open the left and the center doors and the magic starts to happen..

This was completely empty except for a long bottom drawer which hubby cut in half to make two drawers.  Then he added two "file" drawers and two "desk" drawers.  The embroidery machine sits in the middle and can stay right there and sew to my hearts content.  

On the left side is a table which I can fold down to sew on.  The top shelf holds clear plastic shoe boxes for all the notions and crafts.

When I'm ready to sew I fold down the table and pull out my Bernina 1230 (I tell you that because I don't think they make this model anymore and I absolutely LOVE it. I wouldn't trade it in for a brand new one. Best thing I ever bought)  Notice the hidden drawer next to the machine, it is behind the table top.  There is also a pull out shelf for a lap top computer if I want to use one.

  

 I am sharing the computer at my husband's desk and the printer went to another room.  I down sized and got rid of the projects that I wasn't going to finish and probably should not have started.  But even with all that this is the BEST sewing cabinet in the world for me! Lots of hubby points for this one.  :-) 

Fountain of Youth?

I have been thinking about wrinkles.  Maybe it is my age or maybe it is what I see when I look in the mirror.  But of late wrinkles have been on my mind (more accurately on my face.)  There are a lot of products out there to prevent and treat this,  "anti ageing" creams and lotions abound.  Of course you can progress to wrinkle-blasting laser rejuvenation, laser resurfacing (sounds a bit too much like road work for my taste,)  peels, Botox, fillers, exercises and  finally surgery.  There seems to be hundreds of choices for the treatment and cure of wrinkles.  Which brings to mind, does one need to be "cured" of wrinkles?  Well, I don't look 20 any more (ok, ok I don't look 30 or 40 any more either) but does that automatically mean I  need a cure?  Is beauty tied to youth?  Or can beauty change with time but not diminish? When I look at beautiful people I do not see their wrinkles, their weight or hair or the color of their skin. What strikes me most, what captures me and holds my attention is their smile.  A smile can do wonders for a face of any age.  It shows love and joy and brings laughter to the eyes. It brings warmth to the soul of both the giver and the recipient. A well worn smile is the best beauty treatment.  It can be given as a gift or displayed as a triumph.  Smiling makes me feel better on the inside and look better on the outside.  What a deal.