tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65979262327570143402024-02-18T19:47:52.506-06:00Achieving Proverbs 31A blog about two women trying to emulate Proverbs 31.Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-73723655349460723272012-05-01T08:30:00.000-05:002012-05-01T08:30:00.457-05:00The Devil's Inoculation from Salvation for the 21st Century<div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix">
<div>
<i>Written by my husband, Sean. This is an excellent article about what exactly is wrong with our "Christian America". </i> <br />
<br />
<br />
The inoculation of our nation against the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is alive and well.<br />
<br />
Romans
6:23: God came to save us from sin,not the natural wages of it (Isaiah
59:2). Salvation was never supposed to be a fire escape from hell, it
was created to be our freedom from sin (John 8:31,32, Romans
6:18-22,Romans 8:1-3)<br />
<br />
<br />
I see more and more men that appear
powerful in the pulpit and with the Word of God grievously compromising
themselves when it comes to salvation, the cornerstone of our
relationship with Christ! Ephesians2:1-5/Acts 3:19 The US is more &
more concerned about being saved from hell instead of from sin! Sin is
the problem, not hell. Biblical terms need to be defined Biblically, not
through today's dumbed-down English(Thanks for that, no coincidence, as
far as satan is concerned). More and more preachers emphasize the
"gift" without the repentance (change of heart about our sins) for the
remission of sins. Jesus Christ and the apostles all preached repentance
from sin, not being saved from hell (2Corinthians 7:9,10). Yet our
nation's preachers call for accepting the gift of salvation as a source
of relief from the penalty of sin, hell. Sin is the problem, hell is the
penalty! We are starting to teach treating the symptoms, instead of the
problem, just like our medical doctors do.<br />
<br />
Taking the
focus off our sin, and putting it on hell, and simply "accepting the
gift" is the most grievous deception we can give a soul lost in sin. It
might be easier to get someone to say yes to a fire escape from hell,
but it does nothing to deal with the sin that sends us there. This is no
different from telling someone any other religious way to heaven will
save them. We are not here to SELL salvation as easily as possible (Just
believe in Jesus (James 2:17-20). We are here to offer salvation the
same way Christ did, as Repentance from sin toward God, and Faith in our
LORD Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21) and the decision to accept or reject the
LORD Jesus Christ (all three names are important Acts 16:31, Acts
11:17, John 11:25-27) is each of ours to make. Christ promises a change
of life and desires when we truly repent from sin and turn to Him
(2Corinthians 5:17). Not because we make the change, but because HE
makes the change in us! And that's the only change that can truly last.
His Holy Spirit does the work in our hearts after repentance from sin,
and it affects our outward lives (Ephesians 5:8-11, Galations 5:22-24).
Repentance is not a dirty word, and does not need the definition changed
from what God intended in order to make it more palatable to the lost
world. A lack of belief in God has never been the problem (James
2:17-20), the problem has always been sin. Until sin is addressed,
salvation cannot occur, only an inoculation from true salvation, by
changing the simple gospel that is found in the Word of God (Galations
1:6,7/ 2Corinthians 11:2-4).<br />
<br />
Let us not change the gospel
of the LORD Jesus Christ for our own selfish purposes of numbers in the
pews, money in the bank, notches on our "soulwinners gunbelt", or any
other reason the devil gives us! To do so is confusion to the lost
world, and does nothing for their lost souls (Matthew 7:22-23).</div>
</div>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-67354255881949356822012-04-13T17:04:00.012-05:002012-04-13T23:25:47.927-05:00Focal Wall gets French Facelift<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqogRhlHbr_EbiWmADWVEqyjZU3TQrJeLdHAGdx_6ZE720DjoS7t_ADBMqnNbRkficbXsfS3xuDD-Jhb5C3sApsbyp1K5BFVShWnot9gPyv3E8y_4sTjFZ7FFzqe0LwJFUFh2NxQ4xaPU/s1600/french+wall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqogRhlHbr_EbiWmADWVEqyjZU3TQrJeLdHAGdx_6ZE720DjoS7t_ADBMqnNbRkficbXsfS3xuDD-Jhb5C3sApsbyp1K5BFVShWnot9gPyv3E8y_4sTjFZ7FFzqe0LwJFUFh2NxQ4xaPU/s400/french+wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731013706161399602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I've been wanting to do a fun wall collage for a while, and finally got around to doing it!<br /><br />This is my "Crafty Creations" post for this week because it's proof that you can create fun wall art for your home, with a collage of items that you already have.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Items I used:</span><br style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-Black scrolly frame - Ikea</span><br style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-Letter 'S' - Hobby Lobby</span><br style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-Various frames - garage sales/thrift stores ( spray painted)</span><br style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-Candleabra and Paris Subway Art - TJMaxx (LOVE that store!)</span><br style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-"Love" picture - wedding gift</span><br style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-Picture of my hubby and I - thanks to Eden Photography (frame a garage sale find!)</span><br style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-Decorative mirrors - can't remember ;-)</span><br style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(framing my thermostat is just an added bonus)</span><br /><br />Begin by arranging your items on the floor - you want the items to all go together but avoid being too "matchy matchy". You want them to all relate, or have some coordinating element but be random enough to be interesting. I chose to use items with a French flair (they also go with other decor in my room, like a gorgeous lamp I'll show you in another post)<br /><br />A wall collage tends to be like a puzzle, as you're trying to create balance in an effort to achieve a look that you're happy with. Don't get frustrated, the end result is fabulous!<br /><br />My bare focal wall is now adorned with a fun, French inspired collage that I am beyond pleased with! It has just the right amount of wimsy, style, and love to make this girl happy.<br /><br />What have you created today?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >~Lauren</span><br /></span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-11566886103998048392012-02-29T09:00:00.000-06:002012-02-29T09:08:56.140-06:00Toffee Crack...umm I mean Crackers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghUj7-q1oMlXx91KcESQdBxk1yVw-8tZnXT4751YQzad0T_9Mcl5734FjSANl0wacmsTPyHQ2nl9zJzwewu3H964157HNaFDKFbacGHIOFvqjoVloXf2iGkiaHNDPZ_U5sKCXyilbGng/s1600/toffee.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghUj7-q1oMlXx91KcESQdBxk1yVw-8tZnXT4751YQzad0T_9Mcl5734FjSANl0wacmsTPyHQ2nl9zJzwewu3H964157HNaFDKFbacGHIOFvqjoVloXf2iGkiaHNDPZ_U5sKCXyilbGng/s400/toffee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708673561031832818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My sister and I were craving something sweet but alas, had NOTHING like that in the cupboards to satisfy our sweet tooth. That, my friends, is when ingenuity must kick in.<br /><br />We were able to make something amazing using ONLY 4 ingredients for this decadent treat. We affectionately call it....<br /><br /><br />"Toffee Crack"...because it's just THAT addicting.<br /><br />What you'll need:<br /><br /><ul><li class="ingredient">1.5 sleeves of saltine crackers - we used Club crackers<br /></li><li class="ingredient">1 stick (4 oz) butter</li><li class="ingredient">1 cup packed brown sugar</li><li class="ingredient">2 cups chocolate chips- we used 85% dark<br /></li></ul><h3 id="rP">Preparation:</h3><div class="instructions"><p><b>1.</b> Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.</p> <p><b>2.</b> Arrange the crackers in a single layer on the baking sheet so that there are no empty spaces in between them. Crush any remaining crackers into small crumbs and set aside for now. </p> <p><b>3.</b> Place the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir while the butter melts, and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, carefully pour the sugar-butter mixture over the crackers on the baking sheet in an even layer, trying to cover most of the crackers. If you miss some spots, don’t worry as the toffee will spread in the oven. </p> <p><b>4.</b> Bake the toffee crackers at 350 degrees for five minutes, until the toffee is bubbling all over. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool for one minute. </p> <p><b>5.</b> Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the hot toffee, and allow them to sit for one minute to soften and melt. Once softened, use an offset spatula or knife to spread the melted chocolate over the entire surface of the toffee in an even layer. While the chocolate is still sticky, sprinkle the top with the reserved crushed crackers. </p> <p><b>6.</b> Refrigerate the pan to set the toffee and chocolate for about 30 minutes. Once set, break into small uneven pieces by hand, and enjoy! Store uneaten saltine toffee in an airtight container for up to a week. </p> </div>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-30314384153287639862012-02-20T23:30:00.005-06:002012-02-20T23:34:47.201-06:00Yet Will I Rejoice<div align="center"> <span style="font-weight:bold;line-height:110%font-family:arial;font-size:20px;color:#CC6600;" > This morning a tragic car accident happened and a sweet 3 year old girl entered the arms of Jesus. Her family and friends are heartbroken, but amidst the tragedy, there is still hope. God is STILL in control, and He makes no mistakes. I thought this daily devotion put out by Pastor Thomas Smith in St. Clair, MO was SO timely.<br /><br /><br /><br />YET WILL I REJOICE</span><br /> <span style="font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-family:arial;font-size:11px;color:#666666;" > Devotion for February 20, 2012</span><br /><br /></div> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."<br />Habakkuk 3:17, 18.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">The word happiness is defined as being "favored by luck or fortune." In other words, happiness is understood as being dependent upon circumstances or happenings. We all enjoy and appreciate it when circumstances are favorable and things are happening which are in our favor. It is easy to be happy when we have our health, our needs are met, and things seem to be going our way. However, Habakkuk speaks of a place of joy that is not the result of these things. He speaks of trees failing to blossom, vines being barren, fields yielding no fruit, flocks being lost, and yet being able to rejoice. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">I think we all long for a place of constant joy that is not affected by every problem of life. There is no question about this; God wants our lives to be filled with joy. However, our rejoicing must be in something that is constant, not constantly changing. For instance, if we can only rejoice when the sun is shining, what shall we do on rainy days? If we can only find joy when we are feeling well, what are we to do when we are in pain? Circumstances will change, but some things never change. Our rejoicing can be consistent if we are finding joy in things that remain the same. Habakkuk says, "I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." We can always rejoice in the Lord because He never changes. His character and attributes never change. God's love for us is constant. His promises to us are unchanging. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Notice also that the prophet speaks of rejoicing in the "God of my salvation." We can always rejoice in our salvation because this is also something that does not change. We can be joyful because our sins are forgiven and Heaven is our future home. Nothing can alter that. We can rejoice every day that God is our Father and Jesus is our Lord. The kind of rejoicing that we find in our text is not based on feelings or fortune, but it is the result of Bible faith. By faith, we can rejoice because of the blessings that are ours in Jesus Christ. Even when the way becomes difficult, through faith we are able to find reasons to rejoice. </span></p>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-65974645790827454772012-02-16T22:07:00.002-06:002012-02-16T22:12:55.521-06:00Thank YOU!!!<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /> Yes, I know that this Thursday is almost over but it's not too late to get one quick "Thankful Thursday" post up!<br /><br /> We just want to take the time to sincerely thank each and every one of you for being a supporter of this blog!! Each moment you spend reading our posts, means a lot to us!<br /><br />Our goal is for this blog to be a place where women can be edified in the Lord, encouraged to stay faithful to Him, learn some great recipes to wow their families, discover quick tips to make their lives easier, to be inspired with DIY projects and crafts, and to be reminded of life's many blessings. <br /><br />We are SO thankful for YOU....each and every one of you! <br /><br />Much love,<br /><br />Lauren & Page</span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-59716451808446144712012-02-15T10:00:00.000-06:002012-02-15T10:00:04.326-06:00Panko!!This is probably going to be the quickest tip EVER!! Use Panko Bread crumbs when breading fish, chicken, etc. Your local supermarket should carry them.<br /><br />What are they, you ask?<br /><br /><i><b>Panko</b></i> <span style="font-weight: normal">(<span class="t_nihongo_kanji" lang="ja">パン粉</span><span class="t_nihongo_help noprint"><sup><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Installing_Japanese_character_sets" title="Help:Installing Japanese character sets"><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: #00e; font: bold 80% sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding: 0 .1em;">?</span></a></sup></span>)</span> is a variety of flaky <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_crumbs" title="Bread crumbs">bread crumb</a> used in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_cuisine" title="Japanese cuisine">Japanese cuisine</a> as a crunchy coating for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frying" title="Frying">fried</a> foods, such as <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonkatsu" title="Tonkatsu">tonkatsu</a></i>. <i>Panko</i> is made from bread baked by passing an electric current through the dough,<sup id="cite_ref-Tasteology_0-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panko#cite_note-Tasteology-0"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></a></sup> yielding bread without crusts, and it has a crisper, airier texture than most types of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breading" title="Breading">breading</a> found in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_cuisine" title="European cuisine">Western cuisine</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Tasteology_0-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panko#cite_note-Tasteology-0"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></a></sup> Outside <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan" title="Japan">Japan</a>, it is becoming more popular for use in Asian and non-Asian dishes, is often used on fish and seafood, and is often available in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_supermarket" title="Asian supermarket">Asian markets</a> and specialty stores. Increasingly, it is also available in many large <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarket" title="Supermarket">supermarkets</a>. <i>Panko</i> is produced worldwide, particularly in Asian countries, including Japan, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea" title="Korea">Korea</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand" title="Thailand">Thailand</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China" title="China">China</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam" title="Vietnam">Vietnam</a>.<br /><br /><br />There ya go, that's straight from Wikipedia! :-)<br /><br />They are so good and light and yummy and delicious and crunchy. I think you'll love them...<br /><br />Have a quick tip to share? Simply comment below and perhaps we'll feature YOUR quick tip on the blog!<br /><br />~LaurenAchieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-58994136177761335662012-02-14T20:38:00.005-06:002012-02-14T21:07:47.861-06:00No Greater Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiwRiBGCAJpOu9JYMppkqKLWwQercRviHn_xLQhO9R9zUQ653CgSrHPu-idSGiPRMRyQnJjuThBp-s4-F3KEk9Ha8W0bY1BGPzlsGZWjt3I93V5MX61fOW0UAGHRmwUIjxpiMZv06XoE/s1600/lvdaydipfb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 516px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiwRiBGCAJpOu9JYMppkqKLWwQercRviHn_xLQhO9R9zUQ653CgSrHPu-idSGiPRMRyQnJjuThBp-s4-F3KEk9Ha8W0bY1BGPzlsGZWjt3I93V5MX61fOW0UAGHRmwUIjxpiMZv06XoE/s400/lvdaydipfb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709192819959557122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy Valentine's Day!! We hope each and every one of you had a most special day, whether single, married, young or old! :-) I know I sure did! Yes, I'm about to get pretty sappy - but my hubby and I try to live each and every day as if it were Valentine's Day. We are all for showing love and appreciation EACH and EVERY day of the year! With that being said, it's still a fun holiday that gives everyone a good excuse to get a little romantic.<br /><br />Anyway, I just wanted to take the time to say how thankful I am for the love of God! He loves me, even though I'm so undeserving and has blessed me more than words can say! What a privilege to be loved personally by the God of the universe! Think about that!<br /></span><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"We love him, because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span>He paid the price for my sin and YOURS on Calvary, when He died and shed His precious blood. There redemption from sin was made possible. Through repentance and faith in Him, we can be FORGIVEN and live eternally with Him in Heaven!<br /><br style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span>But God commendeth His Love toward, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom 5:8</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />There is no greater love than this!<br /><br />Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!!<br /><br />~Lauren</span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-35223286394754666522012-02-13T09:07:00.009-06:002012-02-13T09:59:41.982-06:00One Small Choice<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >You can choose your sin but not your consequence.</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Talk about a profound truth. We never really know the full extent of our choices until it's too late. Think about how scary that is! One small choice can lead you down a path of forever change, and it often does! You can choose your sin, but not our consequence.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Pride tells us that we are in control, that we "know what we're getting ourselves into" when in reality - we don't have a clue what the consequences will be. Lust = Desire and Death = Separation. When you choose to pursue the desires of your wicked heart, it will always result in separation - from family, friends, God's best, a life of blessing, etc.<br /><br style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?</span></span><br style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"></span></span><br />How many people do you think would honestly tell you that they have no regrets from their choice to sin? It is true that there is pleasure in sin for a season as the Bible tell us, but that season is SO short and the scars, regrets and consequences are for a lifetime!! Sin robs us of God's best for us, of true joy, and of wonderful blessings.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >Pr 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.</span><br /><br />Now why wouldn't you want to have the blessing of the Lord, to be rich in Him and to have pure joy that only He can give?! Let's consider our choices and pattern them after God's Word!! Submission to God and His Word will save us from the consequence of sin and a life full of regrets.<br /><br />I sure want that, don't you?<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >~Lauren</span><br /></span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-16593138360655690972012-02-08T12:17:00.003-06:002012-02-08T12:21:31.724-06:00Hook & Loop<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /> This quick tip Wednesday is brought to us by one of our readers, Ashley. She shares with us that when sewing Hook & Loop aka Velcro onto your item, keep it secure with double sided tape instead of pins! Works great!! Brillant!!<br /><br />Have a quick tip to share? Simply leave us a comment and perhaps we'll feature you on the blog!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Have a wonderful week,<br /><br />Lauren & Page </span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-71868614496768495292012-02-08T09:12:00.012-06:002012-02-09T10:14:54.995-06:006 Wonderful Months<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44XRdK9uI-41mTSBj0sW-BoVyW6rpxPYGsrWmlRH2vjC30QczjeyzzN4uPD7ZxzIP7HIJDjh0VwG2eRQfSJ_xcfth7lhlQNCjDW4Lja_dSk6PsV2HhUD76v4WGF3UxJTNW6SlWhS2cBI/s1600/CardB_Back-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44XRdK9uI-41mTSBj0sW-BoVyW6rpxPYGsrWmlRH2vjC30QczjeyzzN4uPD7ZxzIP7HIJDjh0VwG2eRQfSJ_xcfth7lhlQNCjDW4Lja_dSk6PsV2HhUD76v4WGF3UxJTNW6SlWhS2cBI/s400/CardB_Back-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707013785035070274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Today our precious baby boy turns 6 months old! The months have flown by, but his Daddy and I have enjoyed every single moment of having him in our lives. I still remember when we found out about this sweet miracle from God (it was on his Daddy's birthday!) and we were completely overjoyed! We've savored each smile, each milestone, each of his many expressions. We're in awe of God's wondrous gift, and privileged that we have the responsibility of raising this amazing little boy for the Lord.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCufC75iXsn4WcU3WM8S6rQxget15-Czq7V1T0yi40uMKdyHaLyR1tbUekovwCUCos3w2NaayIcZEho-rtyJUxC1WrgTpucs8aj35qCXevd_zNjPU6eOf9oFKg-wDlnb_Xo794NRJjNZk/s1600/Lvday01fb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCufC75iXsn4WcU3WM8S6rQxget15-Czq7V1T0yi40uMKdyHaLyR1tbUekovwCUCos3w2NaayIcZEho-rtyJUxC1WrgTpucs8aj35qCXevd_zNjPU6eOf9oFKg-wDlnb_Xo794NRJjNZk/s400/Lvday01fb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707166145281576898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />This "Thankful Thursday" I'm praising the Lord for the blessing of my precious son!! I truly don't have words to describe how grateful I am to be a mother to my sweet Landon Justus! He has filled our hearts with more joy than we could ever describe, we are SO thankful for him!<br /><br />~We love you, Landon!!! Happy 6 month birthday, baby boy!<br /><br />Mommy & Daddy</span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-28311399583687757712012-02-07T09:23:00.003-06:002012-02-07T09:25:44.523-06:00Salted Caramels<span style="font-size:130%;">My sister and I are crazy for caramel! Seriously, if you say caramel - you have our attention. ;-)<br /><br />We came across this recipe on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>, (one of our other addictions), and decided to try it out. Let's just say it was a huge success!!<br /><br />Warning to those of you who will attempt this recipe at home - once made, these buttery, salty, creamy caramels are impossible to stop eating!!!!<br /><br />Thanks to <a href="http://bakingbites.com/">Baking Bites</a> for this fabulous recipe! Check it out- they have lots of other yummy inspiration to choose from!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Note, when making these: Any coarse sea salt that you like will work well. The recipe recommends flaky Maldon Sea Salt, which has a great flavor, excellent texture and a beautiful look. After all, you do eat with your eyes!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br style="font-style: italic;"></span><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Once the caramel is prepared, you can pour it into a 9×9 glass or pyrex baking dish. The 9×9 makes caramels of a nice thickness (which I highly recommend), but if you want to make your caramels smaller (or just make a lot more of them), you can also use a 9×13 pan and get thinner caramels. Do not forget to grease the pan with butter before adding the caramel! Remember to use a very sharp, warm (run under hot water and dried) knife for best results when slicing and removing caramels from pan.</span></p><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Salted Caramels</span><br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 379px; height: 271px;" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-12711" title="DSC_0646" src="http://bakingbites.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/DSC_0646.jpg" alt="Homemade Sea Salt Caramels" /></p> <p><span id="more-12574"></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Homemade Sea Salt Caramels</strong><br />1/3 cup water<br />1/4 cup corn syrup<br />1 1/2 cups sugar<br />1 cup heavy cream<br />1/4 cup unsalted butter<br />1/2 tsp salt<br />1 – 2 tbsp <a href="http://bakingbites.com/2010/09/what-is-coarse-salt/">sea salt</a> (rec. Maldon brand)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Lightly grease a 9×9 -inch glass or pyrex baking dish with butter or a thin coat of vegetable oil.<br />In a large saucepan, combine water, corn syrup and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, then continue to boil until caramel turns a deep honey color (10-14 minutes).<br />While sugar cooks, combine cream and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and cook for 1-2 minutes on high heat, until butter is melted. Set aside.<br />When sugar is a deep honey color, pour in cream mixture. Caramel will bubble up vigorously. Stir until bubbles subside slightly, then stir in salt. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and continue to cook, stirring regularly with a silicone spatula, until caramel reaches 260F (5-10 minutes).<br />Pour caramel into prepared dish. Allow caramel to cool completely, then sprinkle evenly with sea salt.<br />Cut caramels into small squares or rectangles with a warm, sharp knife.<br />Caramels can be served immediately or wrapped in small squares of wax paper. Caramels will keep for a few weeks at room temperature.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Makes about 3-4 dozen, depending on the size of your caramels.</span></p>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-11876666742185932322012-02-06T09:42:00.005-06:002012-02-06T09:57:35.886-06:00Thy face, LORD, will I seek.<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >Ps 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">I love the verse above and thought I would share it as part of our "Monday Meditation". What better to way to start off the week than with God's Word?!<br /><br />Is it the desire of your heart to seek the Lord? To seek the face of the Lord requires humility on our part and a desire for holiness, for the Lord is holy!<br /><br />For those of you who don't have a personal relationship with Him, the Lord desires a relationship with YOU!<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Whether saved or lost, it's pretty clear that we're to seek the Lord. Are we really serious about our soul's condition? Are we really seeking to become more Christ like? A good test is whether or not our heart is seeking the face of the Lord. I pray that is our desire!<br /><br />Happy Monday!<br /><br />~Lauren<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-72853313392714773952012-02-02T10:21:00.002-06:002012-02-02T10:21:00.723-06:00Lemon Chicken Soup<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMo0j3wQfHnDMVI8XSR_xkCb_I_zEuZVAlaaHnCm6qmcZevvzZGcOs1-0_Pipha1RVfcpzQUj40tgjYnBaZ_Lxvmd2wsS6-QjpoYI5JfKDMmm-knwOQq5CD6wLXDJEB30Ngtmn98Dhso/s1600/chicken-noodle-soup-recipe.s600x600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMo0j3wQfHnDMVI8XSR_xkCb_I_zEuZVAlaaHnCm6qmcZevvzZGcOs1-0_Pipha1RVfcpzQUj40tgjYnBaZ_Lxvmd2wsS6-QjpoYI5JfKDMmm-knwOQq5CD6wLXDJEB30Ngtmn98Dhso/s400/chicken-noodle-soup-recipe.s600x600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704393549942865506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /> I love watching <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/">Food Network</a> and happened to be watching one of my favorite chefs, Giada De Laurentiis, making this yummy soup. I wasn't sure what I'd think of the lemon juise in the soup, but after making it I have to say that it might be one of my favorite chicken soups ever! The lemon truly brings a freshness and enhances all the other flavors. This soup is a perfect example of how you can use your Parmesan cheese rind, as seen in <a href="http://achievingproverbs31.blogspot.com/2012/02/italys-secret-ingredient.html">this post</a> from earlier this week.<br /><br />Try it, I think you'll really enjoy it!! For me, a recipe is simply a guideline and this recipe is no exception. I tweaked it to my liking, used pasta shells and made a double batch.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Lemon Chicken Soup</span><br /><ul class="kv-ingred-list1"><li class="ingredient">6 cups low-sodium <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/broth/index.html" class="crosslink">chicken broth</a> </li><li class="ingredient">1/3 cup fresh <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/lemon/index.html" class="crosslink">lemon juice</a> (about 2 lemons) </li><li class="ingredient">1 dried bay leaf </li><li class="ingredient">1 (2-inch) piece <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/parmigiano-reggiano/index.html" class="crosslink">Parmesan cheese</a> rind, optional </li><li class="ingredient">2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch pieces </li><li class="ingredient">1 cup (about 2 1/2 ounces) spaghetti, broken into 2-inch pieces, *see Cook's Note </li><li class="ingredient">2 cups diced cooked <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/rotisserie/index.html" class="crosslink">rotisserie chicken</a>, preferably breast meat </li><li class="ingredient">1 cup grated <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/romano/index.html" class="crosslink">Romano cheese</a> </li><li class="ingredient">1/4 cup chopped fresh <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/parsley/index.html" class="crosslink">flat-leaf parsley</a> </li><li class="ingredient">Kosher salt</li></ul> <h2>Directions</h2> <div class="instructions"> <p class="instruction"> In a large stockpot, bring the chicken broth, lemon juice, bay leaf, and Parmesan rind, if using, to a boil over medium-high heat. </p> <p>Add the carrots and simmer until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. </p> <p>Add the broken pasta and cook until the pasta is tender, for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken and heat through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and the Parmesan rind and discard. Stir in 1/2 of the cheese and the parsley. Season with salt, to taste. Ladle the soup into serving bowls and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. </p> <p>*Cook's Note: You can use any short pasta from your pantry as a substitute for spaghetti.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p></div>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-70870330833158444902012-02-01T09:26:00.007-06:002012-02-01T09:45:09.045-06:00Italy's Secret Ingredient!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbnunSRCRuJUSc3iUP3iczPYW1jYM0SdOPDcg9b5ZX-JTf7gI43cwVUKSUxOxcHA-AMpq1lGkwjZAwVvbA70jr5HlwseaBY7eR4FQWz4XTkEn5zeeobElXf7YpUbOYDuzAeY1BTh41SY/s1600/parmesan_cheese_and_grater_700-00518912.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbnunSRCRuJUSc3iUP3iczPYW1jYM0SdOPDcg9b5ZX-JTf7gI43cwVUKSUxOxcHA-AMpq1lGkwjZAwVvbA70jr5HlwseaBY7eR4FQWz4XTkEn5zeeobElXf7YpUbOYDuzAeY1BTh41SY/s400/parmesan_cheese_and_grater_700-00518912.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704189091295781490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This "Quick Tip" Wednesday is actually two tips in one. :-) I LOVE Italian food, and have found that using REAL Parmesan cheese is KEY to authentic flavors in my Italian cooking. Maybe it's because almost every Italian recipe calls for it? ;-) I truly believe it's their "secret ingredient". ha! <br /><br />Anyway, what I'm saying is - don't cut corners by buying the el cheapo green can that I'm not sure is even real cheese. I buy my </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Parmigiano-Reggiano </span><span style="font-size:130%;">cheese at Sam's Club and find that they're most reasonable.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-96Y-TM9bbJLvnn0i3VpuNS_dz3H7RT2LUo6xg1Uc6TLukjJpubUGeq9RLdYXbHb72obI7oviId4QnOkVZDwVaT-SpdCgwkGPlwh8zPWRqD0EFxmvWCxF14M59GSrA3c8a0Nwjest6zs/s1600/parmigiano-reggiano.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-96Y-TM9bbJLvnn0i3VpuNS_dz3H7RT2LUo6xg1Uc6TLukjJpubUGeq9RLdYXbHb72obI7oviId4QnOkVZDwVaT-SpdCgwkGPlwh8zPWRqD0EFxmvWCxF14M59GSrA3c8a0Nwjest6zs/s400/parmigiano-reggiano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704189922168257346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Ok, second tip - you can use the rinds of your Parmesan cheese! I know Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is kind of spendy but I'm here to tell you that you can use every last bit of this cheese! How cool is that? I simply freeze the rinds (exterior of the cheese) and then when I make a pot of soup, I throw a rind in my soup and it flavors it beautifully!! The salty, nutty, buttery cheese still on the rind flavors the soup and gives it an added dimension that is absolutely delicious! Simply remove the rind before serving, or if it happens to completely dissolve in the soup - that's fine too!<br /><br />Have a quick tip to share with us?? Leave a comment below and perhaps we'll choose your quick tip to be featured!! :-)<br /><br />Happy Wednesday, everyone!<br /><br />~Lauren</span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-11533119366894139492012-01-30T08:02:00.002-06:002012-01-30T08:02:00.146-06:00How Profound!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"It is not the absence of sin but the grieving over it which distinguishes the child of God from empty professors of faith." Arthur Pink<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I recently read this quote and could not help but share it!! How many people do you know who claim the name of Christ as being "Christians" yet live a life full of sin? You might say, "well nobody's perfect" which is true, but the Bible clearly says that if we're in Christ we're a NEW CREATURE!!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."</span><br /><br />Does your sin grieve you? When you have that negative attitude, jealous thought, lustful eye, gossiping tongue, prideful look - do you repent and ask the Lord for His forgiveness? Does it grieve you when you sin against your Lord?<br /><br />I pray that you'll take the above quote to heart and meditate on it this week. The world claims Christ, yet so many live a life of sin and have empty professions. This is what the Bible says in reference to the above quote:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth:"</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">1 John 2:4 "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Praying you all have a blessed Monday!<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">~Lauren</span><br /></div></div>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-48252039956283922312012-01-28T17:15:00.001-06:002012-01-28T17:53:28.463-06:00Green Goodness!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvHipjTnKxxiusNTj0XzqiAD-EB1qdlvsjTmXPt3Z0qZ6YasZlCcH_vWjZwkOg1VBVE8vCOxbKQ3t6BDB32J5PeuofopUZ5uTiWV2mh7cxwvLZZngEeh5G32T7wFJhrKP1igs7x8wGVQ/s1600/Green-Smoothie-449x600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvHipjTnKxxiusNTj0XzqiAD-EB1qdlvsjTmXPt3Z0qZ6YasZlCcH_vWjZwkOg1VBVE8vCOxbKQ3t6BDB32J5PeuofopUZ5uTiWV2mh7cxwvLZZngEeh5G32T7wFJhrKP1igs7x8wGVQ/s400/Green-Smoothie-449x600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702831038440282210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">How many of you have resolved to become more healthy this year?? How many of you have determined to lose weight, especially those stubborn last 10lbs? Well, what if I told you that I have the perfect breakfast smoothie for you?!?</span><br style="font-family:georgia;"><br style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Many of you might read this and think to yourself "there is no way that this can taste good", but please don't knock it until you've tried it! My hubby and I have become quite fond of this green concoction and actually find ourselves craving it each morning! We feel pretty good about ourselves too because it's as if we're having a salad for breakfast! ;-)</span><br style="font-family:georgia;"><br style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >What you'll need - a blender!<br /><br />-Orange juice<br />-Handful of salad greens<span style="font-size:85%;"> ( I buy the huge tub of organic greens from Sam's for $2.98!)</span><br />-1-2 Bananas <span style="font-size:85%;">(I like to freeze mine for added thickness)</span><br />-Frozen fruit of your choice<br />-Honey to taste</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br style="font-family:georgia;"><br style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I eyeball everything, so keep that in mind as you might like to tweak it according to your taste.<br /><br />I pour approx 1 cup of orange juice into my blender, then pile the organic greens into it (1-2 generous handfuls) next (the more, the healthier obviously, but if you wanna start out slow, I understand). Make sure they have combined well, then add your bananas one at a time and allow them to combine. Once smooth, Add 1/2-1cup of frozen fruit. After all has incorporated, I add honey to taste. I simply squeeze it into the mixture for about 5 seconds while it's blending. :-)</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Once done, you will have a delightfully <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">GREEN</span> smoothie that is not only delicious, but quite nutritious! The recipe above makes enough for both my husband and I. </span><br /><br />Go ahead, be brave - try it! I guarantee it'll be MUCH better than you think, and you probably will find yourself truly enjoying it.<br /><br />Here's to a healthy 2012!<br /><br />~Lauren<br style="font-family: georgia;"></span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-29493606190420505532011-10-10T10:08:00.001-05:002011-10-10T10:08:00.447-05:00Destructive Pride<div align="center"> <span style="font-weight:bold;line-height:110%font-family:arial;font-size:20px;color:#CC6600;" > <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This devotion is such a powerful reminder of the dangers of pride in one's life. May we strive to live like Christ, in a spirit of humility and repent of the sin of pride in our lives. </span><br /><br />DESTRUCTIVE PRIDE</span></span><br /> <span style="font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-family:arial;font-size:11px;color:#666666;" > </span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">by Pastor Thomas Smith, St Clair, MO</span></span><br /><br /></div> <p style="font-weight:bold" align="justify">"Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility."<br />Proverbs 18:12.</p> <p style="text-align:justify">None of us want to see our lives destroyed. We do not want to experience spiritual and moral ruin, or see our dreams and worthy goals disappear. We do not want to see reproach come upon the Name of the Lord and His work due to our spiritual collapse. Is it possible there could be some indication of self-destruction before it occurs? Are there warning signs that might make moral bankruptcy avoidable? According to the Scripture, there is something that often precedes the fall of mighty men: "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty." </p> <p style="text-align:justify">One of the most destructive forces in a person's life is pride. Many great leaders have been destroyed through personal pride. People of tremendous spiritual influence have seen their ministries ruined because of pride. It was pride that led to Lucifer's revolt and expulsion from Heaven. Pride is not a problem for a pitied few of God's creation, but rather it is present in every heart. Children begin to exhibit pride in their earliest years. It is a part of the sinful nature we inherited from Adam and remains a dreaded foe throughout our lives. </p> <p style="text-align:justify">One reason pride is so dangerous is because it is very deceptive. We can easily be blinded to its presence in our hearts and minds. Because it is such a powerful force, when it has a stronghold in our lives, its very presence resists attempts to rid the heart of its influence. Pride rebels against the acknowledgment and removal of itself. We must be aware of the destructive nature of self-reliance and self-exaltation, and treat pride as an enemy. </p> <p style="text-align:justify">Is there any antidote for such a harmful condition? The Bible declares that "before honour is humility." Just as pride can bring destruction, humility can bring blessing and honor. The cure for the poison of pride is having a humble attitude and spirit. As pride wants to exalt self and refuse correction and instruction, humility recognizes how undeserving and incapable we are. While pride is a natural part of man's fallen nature, humility must be chosen and developed in our hearts. </p> <p style="text-align:justify">We are told in the Word of God to humble ourselves. We are responsible to keep ourselves humble and to repent of the wicked sin of pride. This is the way of God's blessing: He actively resists the proud, but pours out His grace on the humble.</p>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-56421207259572635102011-10-09T14:08:00.000-05:002011-10-09T14:08:00.714-05:00Crock Pot Apple CrispI don't know about you, but I LOVE using my crock pot. Problem is, I don't use it nearly often enough!! One of my goals this Fall and Winter is to use it once a week. I love the convenience of simply tossing ingredients into ONE pot and coming home to the aroma of an already cooked meal. It's like having someone cook dinner for you and only dirty one pot (which is very endearing when you do NOT have a dishwasher).<br /><br />Anyway, I came across this recipe from the blog <a href="http://getcrocked.com/2011/08/14/crock-pot-apple-crisp/">"Get Crocked"</a> and am dying to try it!! Partly because I have a gazillion apples to use from my beautiful little apple tree. Also because it tis' the season for APPLES! Do you have a favorite apple recipe?? Leave it in the comments below and perhaps we'll feature your recipe in the coming days!! :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Enjoy!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">~Lauren</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />Crock Pot Apple Crisp</span><br /><br /> <img src="http://getcrocked.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/apple-crisp-610x300.jpg" class="post-thumb wp-post-image" alt="Crock Pot Apple Crisp" title="Apple Crisp" height="300" width="610" /> <div class="note-wrapper"> <div class="note-content"> <ul><li>1 c. all-purpose flour</li><li> 1/2 c. light brown sugar</li><li> 1/2 c. white sugar</li><li> 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon</li><li> 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg</li><li> 1 pinch salt</li><li> 1/2 c. butter, cut into pieces</li><li> 1 c. chopped walnuts</li><li><br /><br /></li><li> 1/3 c. white sugar, or to taste</li><li> 1 T. cornstarch</li><li> 1/2 tsp. ground ginger</li><li> 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon</li><li> 6 c. apples - peeled, cored and chopped</li><li> 2 tsp. lemon juice</li><li><br /></li></ul> </div> </div> <p><br /><br />1. Mix flour, brown sugar, 1/2 cup of white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a bowl. </p> <p>2. Combine butter with the flour mixture using fingers or a fork until coarse crumbs form. Stir in walnuts and set aside.</p> <p>3. Whisk together 1/3 cup sugar, cornstarch, ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. </p> <p>4. Place the apples in a crock pot, stir in the cornstarch mixture; toss with lemon juice. Sprinkle the walnut crumb topping on top. </p> <p>5. Cover. Cook on High for 2 hours or Low for 4 hours, until apples are tender. Partially uncover the crock pot to allow the topping to harden, about 1 hour. </p> <p>6. Serve with vanilla ice cream or drenched in cream or milk for breakfast.</p><a title="Get Crocked eBook" href="http://getcrocked.com/ebook/" target="_blank"></a>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-54083363941021942782011-10-08T14:21:00.003-05:002011-10-08T14:30:20.468-05:00Where We've Been....<span style="font-size:130%;">Hello Everyone,<br /><br /> So sorry we've been MIA! We really haven't forgotten about you, in fact we've been saddened by our lack of blogging. However, part of our goal in becoming more like the Proverbs 31 woman is WHY we have not been blogging. As most of you know, Page and I have recently given birth to precious babies as well as keeping up with our homes, families and photography businesses. To say our Summer has been busy would be a HUGE understatement. :-) With Fall/Winter approaching, we're hoping to get back into the swing of things, especially since our photography businesses will be slowing down somewhat.<br /><br />We have SO much we want to blog about, so stay tuned for upcoming recipes, devotions, quick tips, crafts, things we've learned, and so much more!<br /><br />Thanks for your patience and continued support!!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">~<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Lauren</span> & <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Page</span></span></span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-90775970578885584082011-08-01T11:12:00.005-05:002011-08-01T11:21:04.363-05:00Where Is Your Treasure?<div align="center"> <span style=" font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); line-height: 110%;font-family:arial;font-size:20px;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Enjoy this wonderful devotion by Pastor Thomas Smith from St Clair, MO. As you begin another week, start by asking yourself where your treasure is. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"As we obey the Lord and invest in heavenly things, we will find our hearts will be there also."</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold;line-height:110%font-family:arial;font-size:20px;color:#CC6600;" ><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><br /><br />WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?</span></span><br /> <span style="font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-family:arial;font-size:11px;color:#666666;" > Devotion for August 01, 2011</span><br /><br /></div> <p style="font-weight:bold" align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."<br />Luke 12:34.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jesus teaches us to train our hearts and minds to think more in terms of eternal things than earthly things. We are either laying up treasures on this earth, or we are laying up treasures in Heaven. This is not the natural way for men to live, but it is a part of the transformation that is taking place in the sincere child of God. It only makes sense that we be thus minded. This life is brief, and the older we get, the more real this becomes. However, we are going to live eternally in the place that God is preparing for us. Treasures that we lay up on this earth will remain here after we are gone and will one day perish. Treasures that we lay up in Heaven will last forever. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">This important question, "Where is your treasure?" should help guide us in our decisions and priorities. Just prior to this verse, Jesus told a parable about a man that was rich, whose farm was prospering abundantly. He had no room to store the harvest of his land, so his only solution was to build bigger barns. Jesus said this man's reasoning was foolish, because he was going to die and leave it all behind. He then instructed His disciples to live more for the world to come than for this present world. This does not mean that we are not to earn money or provide for our families, or even leave an inheritance to our descendants. These things are not wrong; they are indeed our responsibilities. However, this world is not our priority. Jesus told these followers that if all we do is live for material things, we are no different from the world. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">How is it then, that we lay up treasure in Heaven? Jesus instructed the listeners that by giving rather than hoarding, they would be laying up treasures in Heaven. The more we invest our resources in eternal things, the more treasure we will have in Heaven. What things are eternal? The first things we think of are the eternal souls of men, women, boys and girls. As we give to the work of God, as we pray for souls to be saved, as we teach and train others to serve the Lord, and support the work of missions and our local church, we are investing in eternity. And the more of our treasure we have in Heaven, the more our hearts will be there. The reason our hearts are so fixed on this world and on temporal things is because that is where our treasures are. As we obey the Lord and invest in heavenly things, we will find our hearts will be there also.</span> </p>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-20120083365788539872011-07-29T16:37:00.016-05:002011-07-29T17:20:35.234-05:00Oh, Pinterest -How We Love Thee!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_mqFHRqvLKYq0N07zS-jJZm_HPmgbJaxfWTJStXbvVq63fZmuoGJ7nYtqumaNf8Pf5eYqF9yFtdTvLoDtWizusy-S0iBukHhsWEpON6hvIq8Ab-1Fri9lx4g3GQakD8jCzBk-1LAr4Q/s1600/avocadosalad.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrh6MpJZ07GTnO_L7gYB8VXThApRokVB4BaQWSdsRKaUW29ZAdYD9EJrdcS4cOsHWkvaXwEifExwNPsIpsLFFdF4hgBqxLbgNNa02lTU_PuQAzX2DuxTydHRXuv-HkBT-AritOerrUdw/s1600/pinterest-72_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrh6MpJZ07GTnO_L7gYB8VXThApRokVB4BaQWSdsRKaUW29ZAdYD9EJrdcS4cOsHWkvaXwEifExwNPsIpsLFFdF4hgBqxLbgNNa02lTU_PuQAzX2DuxTydHRXuv-HkBT-AritOerrUdw/s400/pinterest-72_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634896525024396306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />No, as much as we love <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> -it isn't the cause of our lack of blogging. It would be a huge understatement to say that Page & I have been busy. We're both prego mamas with photography businesses and homes to take care of. Summer just happens to be peak season for us, so we've not had much time at all to blog. We miss all of you and are looking forward to getting back into the swing of things soon! Thanks for your patience!<br /><br />In any case, we have discovered a wonderful addiction...ahem...website that truly appeals to us and those of you who love all things creative. In actuality it appeals to anyone who loves good recipes, crafty ideas, fashion sense, brilliant concepts....need I go on? We can't stress enough how neat this site is, we've gleaned so many great ideas!! We wanted to share it with all of our readers so you too can become addicted....I mean, INSPIRED! ;-D<br /><br />Many people wonder what it is exactly. By it's own definition:</span><br /><h2 style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.</span></h2> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. To get started, <a href="http://pinterest.com/home">request an invite</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Simply put, it's a great place to gain inspiration and organize your ideas accordingly so that when you're "ready" to try that idea, you can easily find it by locating your "pinboard" (place to neatly compile your ideas).</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Here are a few "pins" that we've found that we thought we'd share with you on this Crafty Creations Friday....</span></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/66462298/">Avocado Chicken Salad</a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_mqFHRqvLKYq0N07zS-jJZm_HPmgbJaxfWTJStXbvVq63fZmuoGJ7nYtqumaNf8Pf5eYqF9yFtdTvLoDtWizusy-S0iBukHhsWEpON6hvIq8Ab-1Fri9lx4g3GQakD8jCzBk-1LAr4Q/s1600/avocadosalad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_mqFHRqvLKYq0N07zS-jJZm_HPmgbJaxfWTJStXbvVq63fZmuoGJ7nYtqumaNf8Pf5eYqF9yFtdTvLoDtWizusy-S0iBukHhsWEpON6hvIq8Ab-1Fri9lx4g3GQakD8jCzBk-1LAr4Q/s400/avocadosalad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634898009832759314" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/52556180/">Creative Cookie Tins</a> - (we're thinkin' Christmas!)</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWVFJCiLZm2Qw4FZPXG2M-cKwuC6akvSs8xNBj3lxMPwAJZsfDqUHencsYyDulxPKEHS2KruQJm7DkKtJNen7QacIzhGpSsTB0d0T-rWHNWhskiALcIfoPpKVT_pcTvKHmGzFt3FS4L4/s1600/cookietins.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 362px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWVFJCiLZm2Qw4FZPXG2M-cKwuC6akvSs8xNBj3lxMPwAJZsfDqUHencsYyDulxPKEHS2KruQJm7DkKtJNen7QacIzhGpSsTB0d0T-rWHNWhskiALcIfoPpKVT_pcTvKHmGzFt3FS4L4/s400/cookietins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634898494351205378" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/52563240/">Newspaper Nails!</a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPouL0eQl-Am5wv-phQj1Scc3AYn-_xLVY0da4HIukkfbxqEWFDwwJUfiVR3NXBxTLoXgKn_h9gYCfQRRYSoJNxD0OLgM4olYhiK4ysUrQPLrOyiGdFbuKZOwEmlp3nfgea58ePCigwo/s1600/newspapernails.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPouL0eQl-Am5wv-phQj1Scc3AYn-_xLVY0da4HIukkfbxqEWFDwwJUfiVR3NXBxTLoXgKn_h9gYCfQRRYSoJNxD0OLgM4olYhiK4ysUrQPLrOyiGdFbuKZOwEmlp3nfgea58ePCigwo/s400/newspapernails.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634898972361258546" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/84036447/">No Heat Curls</a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknH1Tq5hzYk9xBeNE2SDyxPLILjNZhTccxR4QCb8-WGsbOfDJT6OZReWGya8Jmfbpyz7YcQyzhfPr5nsKV_N_qA29-Xm7edgMrElyLISeby51t8wMXOoCIg8hNNid6PjZF5mJaHZ_bIk/s1600/noheatcurls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 84px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknH1Tq5hzYk9xBeNE2SDyxPLILjNZhTccxR4QCb8-WGsbOfDJT6OZReWGya8Jmfbpyz7YcQyzhfPr5nsKV_N_qA29-Xm7edgMrElyLISeby51t8wMXOoCIg8hNNid6PjZF5mJaHZ_bIk/s400/noheatcurls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634899384225870562" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/63829541/">DIY Roman Shades</a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9tqAUROMp0yWcGw5wDSSk6V7Z4VsATVN7pm4PHpvBLSdmc6H6A2NLC7Sob2Fc0cEbkt1t1AmP6a5TNZpRcRnwDJSCS-KbJ6-KhcAFQpLJcgqcK_x0Lun3WJPteisag-tKT5B5CJu_CE/s1600/romanshades.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9tqAUROMp0yWcGw5wDSSk6V7Z4VsATVN7pm4PHpvBLSdmc6H6A2NLC7Sob2Fc0cEbkt1t1AmP6a5TNZpRcRnwDJSCS-KbJ6-KhcAFQpLJcgqcK_x0Lun3WJPteisag-tKT5B5CJu_CE/s400/romanshades.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634899681243000226" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/48215288/">Ruffled Tshirt</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1M3TSCA2H-qDDb2Xe4nXy_6cWgEu9dmnW7hcS9_luHRbykUDLzR3olLDRRULrbhCZLzspra7f7GRNA1rSmDD0Bhwz5_EdDBEljy06FdKnLbYQbWwGteTD59hBKH-g8jnLE4i6BcmC44/s1600/ruffledt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1M3TSCA2H-qDDb2Xe4nXy_6cWgEu9dmnW7hcS9_luHRbykUDLzR3olLDRRULrbhCZLzspra7f7GRNA1rSmDD0Bhwz5_EdDBEljy06FdKnLbYQbWwGteTD59hBKH-g8jnLE4i6BcmC44/s400/ruffledt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634900102640701058" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/52557605/">Porch Swing</a> - made from a door!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3V19PmjePSwyjmM6BToaLR2JUF285tLkeK1tfljnuGOG419JFeK6Og29cjiTAbg9kU3G9kPaGurlOOoPRJkjmPv3o-Yxu4OzcXnQDSdK6dt58-SsUGaBTENDPE3Jmcl6k0z_JhGkUs4/s1600/doorswing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3V19PmjePSwyjmM6BToaLR2JUF285tLkeK1tfljnuGOG419JFeK6Og29cjiTAbg9kU3G9kPaGurlOOoPRJkjmPv3o-Yxu4OzcXnQDSdK6dt58-SsUGaBTENDPE3Jmcl6k0z_JhGkUs4/s400/doorswing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634900542112859138" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">These are just a FEW of the many neat ideas you can find on Pinterest. Simply link it to your Facebook account and follow friends and their pinboards too if you wish. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >*Just like any public site, there are bound to be inappropriate pictures/pins - thankfully we've not come across many ourselves, but just be aware when searching.*</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">We hope this inspires YOU to get creative this weekend!</span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" >~<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Lauren</span> & <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Page</span></span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-24505524849135029052011-06-29T11:00:00.002-05:002011-06-29T11:13:11.302-05:00Mmmm....COFFEE!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMF2vOfU5H0WAaYGbHW4uyw3j0oceRh6T-J4nsTQj_A6m9eXTPtNvLkvhRNePVT7y9WNt-iWmd0h8VsWTKczSqqqZiJC72SaOU_uTmv6idWs-rf2N-qu8I37NPTnGrgB9wKoeKHWhhbQ/s1600/coffee.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMF2vOfU5H0WAaYGbHW4uyw3j0oceRh6T-J4nsTQj_A6m9eXTPtNvLkvhRNePVT7y9WNt-iWmd0h8VsWTKczSqqqZiJC72SaOU_uTmv6idWs-rf2N-qu8I37NPTnGrgB9wKoeKHWhhbQ/s400/coffee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619601506801023122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">How many of you LOVE coffee?!?! I DO, I do, I do!!! I even drink decaf for the sake of my little guy and still love it!<br /><br />Well, did you know that you can actually use it as an odor neutralizer?? Have a stinky fridge? Place some grounds (please use cheapo coffee for this and not your good stuff!) on a shallow tray and place inside your fridge. You'll soon notice that those darling coffee grounds have absorbed all of those icky odors!<br /><br />For more intensive smells - such as a room that has just been painted (aka my <a href="http://achievingproverbs31.blogspot.com/search/label/baby%20nursery%20part%202">nursery</a>), recently stained furniture, etc. You can simply take an </span><span jsid="text"><span style="font-size:130%;">open container of fresh coffee grounds to absorb the odor. BUY a cheap brand for that purpose, but then make sure you throw it out afterwards. ;-) It really works!!<br /><br />See, I bet you didn't realize that coffee had more than one delicious purpose?!<br /><br /><br />Have a Quick Tip to share? Please leave it in the comments below and we'll feature it on our blog!! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">~<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Lauren</span> & <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Page</span></span><br /></span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-80709795062351875952011-06-27T09:14:00.001-05:002011-06-27T09:14:00.214-05:00GOD IS PERSONAL<div align="center"> <span style="font-weight:bold;line-height:110%font-family:arial;font-size:20px;color:#CC6600;" > <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This is such a wonderful devotion, I pray that you all take the time to read it!! What a privilege to know the Lord and to be able to call Him my friend! He wants to have a personal relationship with YOU too!</span><br /><br /><br />GOD IS PERSONAL</span></span><br /> <span style="font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-family:arial;font-size:11px;color:#666666;" ><br />Written by Pastor Thomas Smith, St Clair MO<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div> <p style="font-weight:bold" align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."<br />John 17:3.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">This is one of the most wonderful and frequently misunderstood attributes of our eternal God. He is personal. He wants us to know Him. As a matter of fact, this is the primary purpose of man: to know God. He knows us individually and completely. He wants us to fellowship with Him. We see this characteristic in action in the Garden of Eden. God is seen walking with the first man, Adam, and talking with Adam. This is the nature of God. When Adam sinned, that fellowship with God was broken, but our personal God came into the garden calling for Adam. Because sin separated man from his Creator, God made provision for man's sin in the sacrifice of His Son. God's love for the human race is so strong that no price would be too high to pay to redeem sinners to Himself. God wants all mankind to be saved, and God saves us that we might fellowship with Him. Our Scripture says, ""that they might know thee the only true God." </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">How is it that we can know God? How might we have a personal relationship with the Lord? God has designed that we know Him by faith. We have not seen God, and we have not heard His audible voice. However, because He loves us so much, He has given us the record and revelation of Himself in the Bible. We can know about God through the pages of the Scriptures. We know how God is because of what the Bible, God's Word, teaches us. However, it is not enough to know about God. He wants to know us personally. The only way we can be brought into a personal relationship with God is through Jesus Christ. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that our sins are forgiven, and the enmity between our Holy God and us is removed. When we repent of our sins and receive Christ as Savior, we are born into God's family. Immediately we have the capacity to know Him personally. We can talk to God and know that He hears us. God can communicate with us through His Spirit and His Word. We can walk with God by faith. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">It is our great privilege to know God. Abraham was called the friend of God. Just prior to His death on the cross, Jesus told His disciples that He would no longer call them servants; instead, He would call them His friends. What a joy it is to know that God is personal and can be our Friend! </span></p>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-69017587233619856692011-06-24T11:00:00.003-05:002011-06-24T11:27:31.095-05:00Baby Nursery {Part III- My Artsy Changing Table Redo}<span style="font-size:130%;">As I was planning my nursery, I shopped around for various pieces for my nursery that fit my taste AND my budget. That's tough to do because I have expensive taste yet I'm super frugal.<br />I was SO excited to find this changing table on my local online yard sale site for a steal of a deal- $20!!! Most of you probably would've liked it just the way it was, as it really wasn't </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >too</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> bad. However, I wanted something unique, with character that was fun, artsy and colorful. I bought a $15 quart of Sherwin William's paint (on sale) and for a total cost of $35 (plus my brother's time) -I now have a changing table that was totally what I envisioned! My bro did such a great job, he made the ordinary into extraordinary!! I LOVE how this piece turned out!!<br /><br />Now, I'm gonna blame it on the prego brain, but I failed to take a good "Before" picture. :-P Forgive me!! Please use your imagination and pretend like the drawers are still in place.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozbHHkDgtO6bfPnJf3U45a4zMA_eguZMC5ZxbkSL7dMKB1K-3B3E6f52v9oPcqYw59b2IpkNwG1_5zoUMjvmmGYE8WFtjZL1lxqJ05-dz5kXJzKA7pZElJLhVvyYCxBlk52cKMsGaEBg/s1600/dresserb4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozbHHkDgtO6bfPnJf3U45a4zMA_eguZMC5ZxbkSL7dMKB1K-3B3E6f52v9oPcqYw59b2IpkNwG1_5zoUMjvmmGYE8WFtjZL1lxqJ05-dz5kXJzKA7pZElJLhVvyYCxBlk52cKMsGaEBg/s400/dresserb4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621408185683707298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My brother removed all the drawers and hardware and did some light sanding to it, but because of the awesome primer we used (see pic below), it really required no sanding (my favorite kind of project!)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40mh23zHi7Klf9x0rALra1klWHk092QqTJ362VY00I2qf7NpwliAM-eCX7gWmsT_COVJi8IuA-BQGDv_4GnoK2laG7vTvLKWR10nqx41XK67TtttckAr9giYCcRXjFPXpH8e0TrJAbjA/s1600/dressersanding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40mh23zHi7Klf9x0rALra1klWHk092QqTJ362VY00I2qf7NpwliAM-eCX7gWmsT_COVJi8IuA-BQGDv_4GnoK2laG7vTvLKWR10nqx41XK67TtttckAr9giYCcRXjFPXpH8e0TrJAbjA/s400/dressersanding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621408966118801234" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYurwxk-dXfrIUcPXTUSdg3zYjwaDmmKJ5MBK6L3tGSeoFiPW9I5RnTLbgjGhVrSJSutXfMhuJVLwfMVe7ZLtDHRMpeJvVJ9DRvn2l2xAvrh3l-e_ChTd3ND7vEDoHnODETRXCqfGNnrE/s1600/18Zinsser-Bulls-Eye-primer-.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYurwxk-dXfrIUcPXTUSdg3zYjwaDmmKJ5MBK6L3tGSeoFiPW9I5RnTLbgjGhVrSJSutXfMhuJVLwfMVe7ZLtDHRMpeJvVJ9DRvn2l2xAvrh3l-e_ChTd3ND7vEDoHnODETRXCqfGNnrE/s400/18Zinsser-Bulls-Eye-primer-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621409153966005074" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The key to good priming is to have a lot of fun.... oh and to cover all areas that you'll be painting. :-)</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUtq-eubfJq7qBoM9tDsnH-B607K9kAjklUJ0sfV641vLJV9rpK6H9MkK44oU2_fZ87eY73D2qr1rPLm8W61G6wlij2yIMKYJYzcxwkZFSK0pjf4lv4-wrdsRtWDKSKEpYaHCB_FPDzg/s1600/dresserprime1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUtq-eubfJq7qBoM9tDsnH-B607K9kAjklUJ0sfV641vLJV9rpK6H9MkK44oU2_fZ87eY73D2qr1rPLm8W61G6wlij2yIMKYJYzcxwkZFSK0pjf4lv4-wrdsRtWDKSKEpYaHCB_FPDzg/s400/dresserprime1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621409675715437490" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S-jKDuIJoebjQ5zbTi_8O7eVeWXTzE3Oj_evlpQWG4NndOGCEes29D4-xC224ZbWo7js0Hp-yX185ELyT2kO_AFcsa8uQHLkekeDzbfiyThcFpye9HIkTgWD1Bx_5CHYh0Q6BZ4ybzY/s1600/dresserprime2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S-jKDuIJoebjQ5zbTi_8O7eVeWXTzE3Oj_evlpQWG4NndOGCEes29D4-xC224ZbWo7js0Hp-yX185ELyT2kO_AFcsa8uQHLkekeDzbfiyThcFpye9HIkTgWD1Bx_5CHYh0Q6BZ4ybzY/s400/dresserprime2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621409828942248322" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKFcoh0OEPCYqOcuw1ye6eM1JjXkQGQoahd82_YliSVZ2EVEKlMpcv2F59LxLqAlZV34R-WJmms5iTxbRFApRS5DmGFO-hlBR-CGSydiVky0likjyHtgCLOcOlDX2wGscR_zrFIyaVz8/s1600/dresserprime3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKFcoh0OEPCYqOcuw1ye6eM1JjXkQGQoahd82_YliSVZ2EVEKlMpcv2F59LxLqAlZV34R-WJmms5iTxbRFApRS5DmGFO-hlBR-CGSydiVky0likjyHtgCLOcOlDX2wGscR_zrFIyaVz8/s400/dresserprime3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621410112783802850" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JQpVti6LyGuuMUXKkSpj7vs2C139JmSGW0DtEg4ru8xZaWVkg08rXgaE2FNKtNheAw2IlGnOUHpG10jiNeCrnd23kj6qWBJfflb_U36Wfu2J4FVBg7bKAJIbVJuLvpr59fQPbcWhuD4/s1600/dresserprime4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JQpVti6LyGuuMUXKkSpj7vs2C139JmSGW0DtEg4ru8xZaWVkg08rXgaE2FNKtNheAw2IlGnOUHpG10jiNeCrnd23kj6qWBJfflb_U36Wfu2J4FVBg7bKAJIbVJuLvpr59fQPbcWhuD4/s400/dresserprime4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621410291398010914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Once primed, we let it dry and then began to apply the 1st coat of paint - in my accent color, Sherwin William's </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Refresh</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - once that dried, we (meaning my brother) applied a 2nd coat.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK53SG3dSLn4rJ1A7waVMleQ_1swbjXVh7b5-0lr09WMCj1qxhsfD1jVXfHO8qV3183AIis73scY6L-d9JvQtqhkQJ-KDhI99Tc_Z1R4uv76XVJ4wlokcSb-s7lCosv1OCtAffvFsUmQc/s1600/dresserpaint.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK53SG3dSLn4rJ1A7waVMleQ_1swbjXVh7b5-0lr09WMCj1qxhsfD1jVXfHO8qV3183AIis73scY6L-d9JvQtqhkQJ-KDhI99Tc_Z1R4uv76XVJ4wlokcSb-s7lCosv1OCtAffvFsUmQc/s400/dresserpaint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621410542834400690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">As you can see, it's looking good but doesn't have any real dimension to it yet. Some people MIGHT be ok with this as it is, but not me! ;-)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHhrp5CuS7siXsmwhBkK7ArXOvH13976SaeO50_GLHrR2KDOi9Im0MOoDJtbI0PTrz3ZB1nlpH7KyFOr0EOsAzkKtZOLJW8CxBypgKPvXHbQ9Uen0GpTVYHKmwE2D_VeVXmdHZYbZyYw/s1600/dresserpaint2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHhrp5CuS7siXsmwhBkK7ArXOvH13976SaeO50_GLHrR2KDOi9Im0MOoDJtbI0PTrz3ZB1nlpH7KyFOr0EOsAzkKtZOLJW8CxBypgKPvXHbQ9Uen0GpTVYHKmwE2D_VeVXmdHZYbZyYw/s400/dresserpaint2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621410655963069362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My brother then proceeded with the "fun" part. He used several tools to distress it. When doing this - try to think of places that would naturally be distressed. Don't forget the drawers! It's the details that really gives a piece that extra "wow factor".</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN_Owg1pOihDe6AYHnjNc8kZ0uqPmDsAns5k_x7I8QVOvK1buBQXyCEbnMu1k7Ro2nYXhS3rWv5Vvr0MPvtEfHxVZEIAz8LIA8C7vL4bLlXSwjt6ZHxO90-Y5_cXDw5Ajk5lYZVsZqSQ/s1600/dresserstain2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN_Owg1pOihDe6AYHnjNc8kZ0uqPmDsAns5k_x7I8QVOvK1buBQXyCEbnMu1k7Ro2nYXhS3rWv5Vvr0MPvtEfHxVZEIAz8LIA8C7vL4bLlXSwjt6ZHxO90-Y5_cXDw5Ajk5lYZVsZqSQ/s400/dresserstain2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621411001903902466" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlM7vswbWQuq4afwgRO6q1KLb6sA4KjSCfh_1pecxQEbakdxqycJdXhuKUm6I661Dm-Ns0qpoR_Nm50r85YrLLyku9gOsM_X0bwk1s1Z28akvZk7EL-Nd7Mbdeg2amM1uUyYjs2J-dSIY/s1600/dresserstain5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlM7vswbWQuq4afwgRO6q1KLb6sA4KjSCfh_1pecxQEbakdxqycJdXhuKUm6I661Dm-Ns0qpoR_Nm50r85YrLLyku9gOsM_X0bwk1s1Z28akvZk7EL-Nd7Mbdeg2amM1uUyYjs2J-dSIY/s400/dresserstain5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621411432596604978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Afterwards, we went down to the basement and found some dark wood stain in my collection of paints. Using a rag, he dipped part of it into the stain rubbed it in the cracks and edges of the piece, wiping off the excess. This is where your creative, artistic side comes into play. You can apply however much you'd like, but the goal is for it to look natural and not overdone. Rubbing the stain into the grain of the wood and cracks really gives it that distressed look. Be careful not to apply too much! You must wipe the excess off!</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_VdzUdc8QVGf4vWueMCGFhPW0fMxhdVCsYy5WYfzt8uouoDyIIv1p4U79dhDX3fz-Hv-IuPPckMLROeZjVv8JBqFPCrlskexZOoiwZkbrLWroSPRkV5kJDnew66wdOgYTNcJWQYMISE/s1600/dresserstain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_VdzUdc8QVGf4vWueMCGFhPW0fMxhdVCsYy5WYfzt8uouoDyIIv1p4U79dhDX3fz-Hv-IuPPckMLROeZjVv8JBqFPCrlskexZOoiwZkbrLWroSPRkV5kJDnew66wdOgYTNcJWQYMISE/s400/dresserstain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621411709179725586" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGgjnH-UdScdI_WEvjkxLrg_5P2S2EB6IiDFLsQlucKjFFIB2Ojyta5oYQtKBbBwuEqqzVW1ClirW_fCWKrEURAb9_jARw2bbhS3VauPTSgnmgNpE6_VrwyZyytwUE2FlII14R4ajTi4/s1600/dresserstain1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGgjnH-UdScdI_WEvjkxLrg_5P2S2EB6IiDFLsQlucKjFFIB2Ojyta5oYQtKBbBwuEqqzVW1ClirW_fCWKrEURAb9_jARw2bbhS3VauPTSgnmgNpE6_VrwyZyytwUE2FlII14R4ajTi4/s400/dresserstain1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621412008963931458" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwE2aYeMMNle5ujUpyloRbT8tCxLDmTW8gHKNpyIXExsfB5qSWO8yrJ50UpfgtUfujKg9KnBC-HrcmVxLxdrg4yswzhw6YoaqzqdaNH5MO_dCt8PRZEpCvdQTSEwzAEMCAJse-qPzNlk/s1600/dresserstain3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwE2aYeMMNle5ujUpyloRbT8tCxLDmTW8gHKNpyIXExsfB5qSWO8yrJ50UpfgtUfujKg9KnBC-HrcmVxLxdrg4yswzhw6YoaqzqdaNH5MO_dCt8PRZEpCvdQTSEwzAEMCAJse-qPzNlk/s400/dresserstain3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621412195697634162" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Once we were satisfied with how much "distressing" had been done, he put the hardware back on and drawers back into place. Thankfully I liked the original hardware and didn't have to do a thing to it!</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58naMc11wQNSQXPMnAZ452qNDwUcFsN1HVej9a_Mnkx0i492s1g17MwmB30B4-vz2F5nHHRARajqnoYz7h1k3RBcgJQR6R2US5FsvuErSX7O6p9ZM2NDWyhFEgR5YhvuFdyirrT-hdlA/s1600/dresserstain4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58naMc11wQNSQXPMnAZ452qNDwUcFsN1HVej9a_Mnkx0i492s1g17MwmB30B4-vz2F5nHHRARajqnoYz7h1k3RBcgJQR6R2US5FsvuErSX7O6p9ZM2NDWyhFEgR5YhvuFdyirrT-hdlA/s400/dresserstain4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621412606050743714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Here is Baby Shaffer's super artsy and one of a kind changing table, refinished with love by his Uncle Caleb.<br /></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HtUN0hF3jS3uDvivUp2VXwsoHj9e6U0PZZD3RdlXZMgnHnloMY3FcRva9anA8ZFjhX0f1X-mx033jKYNkGlskLgJz9Q80KopQMntDyXw2gLorx7UQHj6_-tMhHYRjeKsr8kyy8eX1bs/s1600/dresserafter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HtUN0hF3jS3uDvivUp2VXwsoHj9e6U0PZZD3RdlXZMgnHnloMY3FcRva9anA8ZFjhX0f1X-mx033jKYNkGlskLgJz9Q80KopQMntDyXw2gLorx7UQHj6_-tMhHYRjeKsr8kyy8eX1bs/s400/dresserafter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621412911045718114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I hope this inspires you to look past the outward appearance of a piece of furniture, and envision creating it into something you love. Don't be afraid to take a piece and transform it to your liking, it really isn't that hard (especially when your brother does it for you! haha) With a little bit of effort, you can transform "junk" into something AMAZING!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" >~Lauren</span>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597926232757014340.post-49893524758892674162011-06-23T09:59:00.004-05:002011-06-23T10:43:54.400-05:00Thankful Thursday: Crazy Weather Blues!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="heading passage-class-0" style="margin-top: 10px; color: rgb(92, 17, 1); "><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Mark 4:36-45</span></span></span></h3></div><p></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-24360" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">36</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.</span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-24361" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">37</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.</span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-24362" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">38</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?</span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-24363" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">39</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.</span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-24364" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">40</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?</span></span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let me just tell you... The weather around here has been crazy! In the last month or so, we have had massive hail damage (think ping pong ball to baseball size hail) to all of our vehicles, lost 3 windows in our house, and our metal roof and exterior log walls looks like a giant toddler took a hammer to them.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3M0cb9atypAoOoGxbTiimPZYoIE8NoaWxOPEcUGtmMYXPoHmx-lx45-kBgAVD0cTgbNjtQAsIPf5GWHN60-_vXSkPXo7ROUNim3IDo7LoouD3z-5lmWrGNryo-Hd7m2KCPar1jxZAm_c/s1600/IMG_5989.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3M0cb9atypAoOoGxbTiimPZYoIE8NoaWxOPEcUGtmMYXPoHmx-lx45-kBgAVD0cTgbNjtQAsIPf5GWHN60-_vXSkPXo7ROUNim3IDo7LoouD3z-5lmWrGNryo-Hd7m2KCPar1jxZAm_c/s400/IMG_5989.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621438132068991506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccDcILIp5gkXi6bdEpbfOLcgtneQACzwDT35QTLiq0zCXjbYeYTml3C3t4nyVufVNsx0qX_isBtq5-DsIgnm2lLVxfwaz0pdu-NifxrETEaenTZJCKnD9qGrAF0r82M7KNQBZ4_FXD6Q/s1600/IMG_5984.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccDcILIp5gkXi6bdEpbfOLcgtneQACzwDT35QTLiq0zCXjbYeYTml3C3t4nyVufVNsx0qX_isBtq5-DsIgnm2lLVxfwaz0pdu-NifxrETEaenTZJCKnD9qGrAF0r82M7KNQBZ4_FXD6Q/s400/IMG_5984.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621438125076542066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX6ZRkhkWpmhKSvoARwlpBbDubbk3io5QEFqGHQ9aaaYCOSdiHHmo0Q4gzUlVS3wKqOlNBIdebu1J9bGUtnSuWFejtRSaB-SHUTV81gVdiQU57-bG-FuuwVQqLF7qSBwR0RdHGC7czQg/s1600/IMG_5981.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX6ZRkhkWpmhKSvoARwlpBbDubbk3io5QEFqGHQ9aaaYCOSdiHHmo0Q4gzUlVS3wKqOlNBIdebu1J9bGUtnSuWFejtRSaB-SHUTV81gVdiQU57-bG-FuuwVQqLF7qSBwR0RdHGC7czQg/s400/IMG_5981.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621438115472902770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One of these storms, we were actually in our car. It was one of the most incredible, yet scary things I have ever seen... </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It would be really easy for me to be discouraged by all of these things--but... I'm not. I know God has a plan, a great plan, for all that He has allowed to happen.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have seen some of His Greatness and Mercy unfolding already, and I am really looking forward to how He will take care of the rest!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, this is my quick Thankful Thursday. God is great! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A side note... Here is a verse that has meant a lot to me the last few days...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Proverbs 21:30 "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD."</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, tell me, what are you thankful for today? : )</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">~Page</span></span></span></span></span></div>Achieving Proverbs 31http://www.blogger.com/profile/06956419314755124329noreply@blogger.com0