Taking Care of My Husband

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
 Romans 12:1-3

My husband has gotten the news that his cholesterol is high and his diet must change. It has been suggested to him to cut out as much animal products as possible. Being the good wife that I am, I google low cholesterol  menus and make everything from scratch. I must confess at times I want to say, “Honey, just get back on your medicine and let’s go have a steak”. But instead, I bear my cute apron, work tirelessly in the kitchen and still manage to look like June Cleaver. (Not really, except for the apron part). 

I lay in bed at night with my tummy growling and I dream I am withering away. So as my husband works diligently at the office to make a living for this family.... I sneak off to Chik-Fil-A and chow down!! Oh, the sweet savor of the #1 combo meal, on wheat buns of course!

Back to reality. This is not a food blogsite, however, I must share with you this amazing Country style gravy recipe. Ya’ll, it is really tasty!

2 c hot water

3 T soy sauce

1 T onion powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 c cashews

1 T yeast

1 T corn starch

Waiting on God

I am not a fan of waiting. Waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting on the road while construction crews work, or even waiting on God to answer important prayer. Waiting forces me to not move forward. In this fast- paced world we live in, we have developed the philosophy that to not move is to not be productive. Therefore, I subconsciously feel God is not being productive in my life because my urgent prayers are not “moving forward”. I confess this line of reasoning is not equal to the Christian maturity I had hoped to achieve at this point in my walk of faith. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians,  when we are in our weakest state, his power is made perfect. Ironically, when I am in my weakest state, I feel just the opposite. That God is not working in my life. I know this is not true, and yet I can still feel this way.

When we are feeling great about our lives, wonderful things are happening, all is right with our little world,  we lean on our heavenly Father the least.... and the enemy attacks.

Feeling weak, helpless, impatient, we come before the Lord and wait on Him for our strength, direction, and patience. This is when our faith grows deeper and we can be used for His kingdom in a mighty way.

Are you feeling weak, helpless, or impatient as you wait on the Lord? Thank Him for this pathway to receive His power at work in you.

My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 The Message

Mission Trip to Tuxtla

Returning home last Sunday, my feet hit the ground of  Bush Intercontinental Airport with gratefulness, but my heart was left behind in Tuxtla-Gutierrez. We served as a medical/dental clinic the first three days in the home-church of Pastor Carlos, his wife Nellie, and their three beautiful children. Their home was a cinder block, cement floor building no larger than the three car garage we put our two cars in. I admit I was shocked by the living conditions so primitive to our way of life, until I saw the rest of the neighborhood and realized their home was a palace and a safe haven.

My dental hygiene equipment consisted of one scaler and a disposable mirror, a cup of water for rinsing their mouth, a bucket for them to spit in, ( when the bucket got half-way full, we poured it outside) and a flashlight I had my translator hold.

The community was waiting for us when we arrived and by the end of day, we were turning people away. These people never had their teeth cleaned before in their lives. You can’t begin to imagine what I saw, yet they were so gracious and thankful for my service.

Two days were spent in the orphanage. Each child there had a heartbreaking story of their own. The doctor working with us on this trip, Saul,  shared with the children that they were not a mistake. That God is their Father and He loves them and has a plan for each of them. This made a huge impact in their lives because Saul was once an orphan himself and he rose above it to share the hope he had found through Jesus Christ.

It took faith for me to go, it took the hope found in Jesus Christ to encourage those around me, but the best part of all, was the overwhelming love I received, giving back to me a thousand times more than what I gave.

There are three things that will endure; faith, hope, and love.... and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

I'm Leavin' On A Jet Plane

I’m leaving today on a medical mission trip to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico. I can think of a thousand reasons to talk myself out of this trip; I hate to fly, I do not know anyone else going, will they have International Delight French Vanilla coffee cream for my coffee?

But there is one compelling reason I can not shake: God is offering me an opportunity to do this for Him. He is calling me to trust Him.  He is taking me out of my comfort zone and into total reliance on Him.

Being out of our comfort zone isn’t ....... comfortable, is it?  But that is where His refining fire can polish us to reflect His image. We mature most in our faith journey when we are not in control, when we totally depend on God to take us to the next step. 

So, I am asking for God’s refining fire to make me shine, faith to take that step onto the plane, courage to speak my southern-twangy broken Spanish.

You can pray for me also, to be His hands while I treat patients, to be His feet when I walk into that orphanage.

When I return, I promise to give a full report and encourage you to take the step out of your comfort zone and do something AMAZING for God!!!

For everyone will be tested with fire. Mark 9:49

Developing Personal Quiet Time With God

Where do I find the time for bible study?The kids are up at the crack of dawn, I send them to school, rush to do the work I do, then there is the grocery store, prepare dinner, help the kids with homework, get them ready for bed. I’m exhausted by the end of the day!

As women we live a fast pace life running from one thing to another. We almost feel guilty if we sit and take time for ourselves. Ladies-- personal quiet time with God, will be the  most well spent time in our day. If we prioritize our day by putting God first, he will give us the time to complete what needs to be done for that day. After all, the Creator designed how many hours should be in one day. I know God is not saying “Girl, you are way too busy for studying my Word. Don’t worry about it, take care of all that other stuff first!”  

How important is daily quiet time?

It’s time away. Away from the busyness of life. The children, phone, laundry, work, errand running, the list goes on and on. It’s just you and the One longing to be your best friend. It is intimate time worshipping Him.

 Find a place and a time that is free of distraction. All you need is a pen, paper and your Bible.

The habit  of putting Christ first every day will change your mood, relationships, and affect all those within your care.

The Word

by Sara Groves

I've done every devotional
Been every place emotional
Trying to hear a new word from God
And I think it's very odd
That while I attempt to help myself
My Bible sits upon my shelf
With every promise I could ever need

And the Word was
And the Word is
And the Word will be