God Will Not Fail You

When life seems empty and there's no place to go,

When your heart is troubled

And your spirits are low,

When friends seem few and nobody cares--

There is always God to hear your prayers...

And whatever you're facing will seem much less

When you go to God and confide and confess,

For the burden that seems too heavy to bear

God lifts away on the wings of prayer...

And seen through God's eyes

earthly troubles diminish,

And we're given new strength to face and to finish

Life's daily tasks as they come along

If we pray for strength to keep us strong...

So go to our Father when troubles assail you,

For His grace is sufficient and He'll never fail you.

By Helen Steiner Rice

From A Collection Of Blessings

A Little of This And A Little of That

Quotes:
"Walk so close to God that nothing can come between."
"Embrace Change"

Patty Billingham
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Book Review:


Who Moved My Cheese?
Author: Spencer Johnson, M.D.


The book is a simple parable that reveals profound truths. It is an amusing and enlightening story of four characters who live in a "Maze," and look for "Cheese" to nourish them and make them happy.


Two are mice named Smiff and Scurry. And two are "Littlepeople"- beings the size of mice who look and act a lot like people. Their names are Hem and Haw.
"Cheese" is a metaphor for what you want to have in life - whether it is a good job, a loving relationship, money, a possession, health, or spiritual peace of mind.


And the "Maze" is where you look for what you want - the organization you work in, or the family or community you live in.


In the story, the characters are faced with unexpected change. Eventually, one of them deals with it successfully, and writes what he has learned from his experience on the Maze walls.
When you come to see "The Handwriting on the Wall," you can discover for yourself how to deal with change, so that you can enjoy less stress and more success (however you define it) in your work and in your life.


Written for all ages, the story takes less than an hour to read, but its unique insights can last a lifetime.
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Cranberry Swirl Salad


2 small pkgs Raspberry Jello (or 1 large pkg.)
2 cups boiling water
2 one lb cans whole cranberry sauce
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 cups sour cream
Dissolve jello in water. Chill until slightly thickened. Add cranberry sauce and nuts. Mix well. Swirl sour cream (or fold into jello). Chill.

Chinese Proverb

"Tell me, I forget. Show me, I remember. Involve me, I understand."

Kids are often visual and kinesthetic learners. Talking at them, or even with them, is usually not nearly as effective as getting them involved in something concrete before going to the abstract.

WHAT I NEED

(By Paula Young Shelton)

I need to have you hold me and let me know you care.

I need to be let go to explore all that I dare.

I need you to set limits and always to be fair.

I need you to be patient as I wander everywhere.

I need to make mistakes sometimes,

under your watchful eye.

I need a safe environment for the

new things I will try.

I need to learn by doing. My learning looks like play.

I need to know I can trust you

and that you mean what you say.

I need to be corrected in a voice that's firm but low.

I need to hear some other words besides just,

"No! No! No!"

I need you to be consistent, so I always know

what to expect.

I need you to listen to me, 'cause even little ones

need respect.

I need lots of attention. So don't get too upset.

I need to ask lots of questions.

There's so much I don't know yet.

But more than all of the above.

What I really need is love.

No matter what I do or say.

I need to know you love me anyway.

Shared by Patty B.

HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH?

(author unknown)

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning….to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years (1900-1970).
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth…
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard…
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real.
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more.
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile…
Remembering that his special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when our eulogy’s being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

This and That for 11/8 - 11/14

Quotes By Helen Keller:

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.

Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything good in the world.

We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
_____________________________________________________

Attitdue is Everything
(Author Unknown)

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and notice she had only three haira on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today." So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "H-M-M," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did and she had a fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and notice that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEA!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything!

Shared by Patty B

I AM COMPLETE IN CHRIST

I have great worth apart from

my performance

because CHRIST gave

HIS life for me,

and therefore

imparted great value

to me.

I AM

DEEPLY LOVED,

FULLY PLEASING,

TOTALLY FORGIVEN,

ABSOLUTELY ACCEPTED,

AND

COMPLETE IN CHRIST.

(AUTHOR UNKNOWN)

DOES GOD EXIST?

(Author Unknown)

This is one of the best explanations on the nature of God that I have ever seen...

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects.

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.'

'Why do you say that?' asked the customer.

'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.'

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.

The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair

and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barbershop again and he said to the barber:

'You know what? Barbers do not exist.'

'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber. 'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!'

'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.'

'Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.'

'Exactly!' affirmed the customer. 'That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.

Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism he learns to condenm.
If a child lives with hostility he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance he learns to be patient.
If a chid lives with encouragement he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness he learns justice.
If a child lives with security he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship he learns to find love in the world.


Author: Dorothy Law Nolte,
Children Learn What They Live

This and That for 10/18 - 10/24

Quotes For The Week:

"We have His promie; all who believe on Him as their Lord and Savior are made whole and are freed from the bonds of captivity"


" No matter what our past may have held, and no matter how many ture days we have. He stands beside us and loves us."

quotes by Gary Smalley and John Trent
In Search Of The Blessing.
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The Charlie Schulz Philosophy


The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the
'Peanuts' comic strip.


You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them.
Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.


1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4 Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and
actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.


How did you do?


The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies..
Awards tarnish..
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:


1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4.. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.


Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most
credentials..
the most money...or the most awards.
They simply are the ones who care the most

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BOOK REVIEW

Praying God's Will for My Son
Author: Lee Roberts


Lee Roberts has a series of books on Praying God's Will....
---For My Son
---For My Daughter
---For My Husband
---For My Wife
---For My Grandchild
---For My Life
---For My Marriage
---For My Pastor


Whether you are praying for particular needs, strengh, patience, faith --- you will find the perfect prayers inside. With hundreds of prayers grouped according to specific needs and based entirely on Scripture, you will always have within your reach a rich resource of personal, inspirational prayers.


Journaling pages for recording intentions and documenting answers to prayers follow each section.
It is a book of prayers taken directly from God's word and applied to the daily needs and desire of what or who you are praying for.


I have been utilizing the Praying God's Will For My Son to daily and systematically pray for my sons.

Patty B.

Butterfly Wings

Recently while my husband and I were visiting his family in Missouri, we visited the Butterfly House a part of the Missouri Botanical Garden. It was there that I learned about the journey of the butterfly and how it gives birth from the cocoon. The new butterfly must squeeze through an incredible small hole at the end of the cocoon. During this process the fluids from the body are pushed into the wings, causing the wings to be able to have the strength it needs flap and this allows for the butterfly to be able to fly. You can not rush this process – it has to happen all on its own. And if the hole is prematurely cut open the fluid will not flow into the wings, leaving the butterfly with a swollen body and wings that do not have the strength to flap. The story below gives light to this.

Like the butterfly we must endure the pressures, struggles, and heartaches in life in order to develop into a person of strength. As painful as our struggles can be, if we allow it, they can be an opportunity for us to become a stronger person. If we go through life with no struggles, we will not grow as a person and we will be crippled, like the butterfly in the story below. We all face struggles and heartaches in our life and it is the growth out of the pain we face that allows us to develop into a stronger person. We all wish this were not true – but I know, looking back on my life, the struggles and heartaches I have faced have truly made me a stronger person, a better person. And like the butterfly, the process can often be slow and painful in the moment. I also know I will continue to face struggles and pain in the future, but if I allow God in on this process I will get through them, like I have in the past and will in the future – for He is my rock.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.

He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

Written by Patty B. ♥


 

The Story of the Butterfly

(Author Unknown)


A man found a cocoon of a butterfly.
One day a small opening appeared.

He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole. Then it stopped, as if it couldn't go further.So the man decided to help the butterfly.

He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bits of cocoon. The butterfly emerged easily but it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch it, expecting that any minute the wings would enlarge and expand enough to support the body, Neither happened! In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around. It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand: The restricting cocoon and the struggle required by the butterfly to get through the opening was a way of forcing the fluid from the body into the wings so that it would be ready for flight once that was achieved.

A Little of This And A Little of That

Quote For The Week

Thomos Edison tried two thousand different materials in search of a filament for the light bulb. Someone once asked him how he felt about failing more than two thousand times. Edison responded:
"I never failed. This was just a process that had two thousand steps to it."

***********************************************************************************

A LITTLE BIT OF HUMOR

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BOOK REVIEW

The Transparent Life
30 Proven Ways to Live Your Best
Author: Naomi Judd

"Let these 30 proven, practical choices inspire you to uncover your best you."

"With unwavering optimism and characteristic inner strength, Naomi stepped out of the spotlight to explore paths that have led to new successful endeavors. Today, she is completely cured of the Hepatitis C virus and uses the strength of her own experiences as spokesperson for the American Liver Foundation. In 1991, Naomi created the houshold name and personal time to raise invaluable awareness of the deadly Hepatitis C virus as well as research funds for the American Liver Foundation.

Though her creativity continues to flow through music and writing, today Naomi also expresses her energy on humanitarian activities, social issues and personal growth education. Her natural ability to act as a translator between academic communities and everyday people makes her a truly unique figure.

Shared by Patty B.♥

This Is My Prayer For You:

That your love will grow more and more;
that you will have knowledge
and understanding with your love;
that you will see the difference
between good and bad and will choose the good;
that you will be pure
and without wrong for the coming of Christ;
that you will do many good things
with the help of Christ
to bring glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:9-11

Shared by Patty B.

I have been carrying this statement of faith around in my bible for many years. I am not sure where it came from or who the author is, but it really helps me to keep my focus on what is important in life, how I want to live my life, who I want to be and what my purpose in life is.

My Personal Statement of Faith

♥ I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

♥ I have Holy Spirit power.

♥ The die has been cast.

♥ I have stepped over the line.

♥ The decision has been made.

♥I am a follower of Jesus.

♥ I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or back away.

♥ My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

♥ I am finished with low-living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame division, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarf goals.

♥ I no longer need pre-eminence, position, promotion, or popularity.

♥ I don’t have to be first.

♥ I don’t have to be right.

♥ I don’t have to be recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.

♥ I love by faith, lean on His presence, walk by His patience, lift by prayer, and labor by love.

♥ My face is set, my pace is fast, and my goal is heaven.

♥ My road may be narrow, my way may be rough, and my companions may be few, but my Guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

♥ I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.

♥ I will not flinch in the face of adversity, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

♥ I wont’ give up, shut up, or let up until I’ve stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

♥ As His disciple, I must go ‘till He comes, give ‘till I drop, witness ‘till everyone knows, and work ‘till He stops me.
 When He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, my banner will be clear!

Author Unknown

Shared by Patty B.♥

A Little of This And A Little of That

Quotes For The Week:
      "Invest in the human soul. Who knows it might be a diamond in the rough."
                           by Mary McLeod Bethune
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HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Grass Stains

When your child comes in with fresh grass stains on jeans of any color, immediately immerse the jeans in cold water. Using dishwashing liquid and a stiff clean brush, scrub until the grass stains come out completely.
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LET'S LAUGH

These were some billboards that were getting some attention in Dallas. Here's a list of all variations of the "God Speaks" billboards. The billboards are a simple black background with white text. No fine print of sponsoring organization is included.
1) Let's meet at my house Sunday before the game. -God

2) C'mon over and bring the kids. -God

3)What part of "Thou Shalt Not..." didn't you understand? -God

4) We need to talk. -God

5) Keep using my name in vain, I'll make rush hour longer. -God

6) Loved the wedding, invite me to the marriage. -God

7) That "Love Thy Neighbor" thing... I meant it. - God

8) I love you and you and you and you and... -God

9) Will the road you're on get you to my place? -God

10) Follow me. -God

11) Big bang theory, you've got to be kidding. -God

12) My way is the highway. -God

13) Need directions? -God

14) You think it's hot here? -God

15) Have you read my #1 best seller? There will be a test. -God

16) Do you have any idea where you're going? -God

17) Don't make me come down there. - God
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Book Recommendation:

Change Your Heart Change Your LIfe
                Author Dr. Gary Smalley

Dr. Gary Samlley says: "What if I could show you a proven method of increasing your peace of mind, reducing stress to the point that it almost disappears, and increasing the satisfaction in your marriage beyond your wildest dreams? Would you be interested?

Dr. Gary Smalley says your beliefs determine your level of happiness. And to find enduring joy and peace, first learn to recognize and accept the best beliefs that have been proveded for you by the Creator to store in your heart.

This book offers a practical plan for replacing destructive beliefs with the truth that has transformed the liveds of others - proven principles that can help you change your life.
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Another Favorite Recipe fom the National Hotel Kitchen in Jamestown California:

Creme Brulee

2 cups milk

3 cups half & half

4 cups sugar

2 each vanilla bean

18 each egg yolks

Separate egg yolks and place in a large bowl and stir.

In another large bowl, combine the half & half and milk.

Mix in sugar until it is dissolved. Heat mixture in a sauce pan and add two vanilla beans.

Heat milk mixture to a simmer (169-175 degrees). Remove from heat.

Remove vanilla beans from milk mixture, place on a flat surface and split lengthwise. Then, using the dull edge of a knife, scrape out the inside of the beans. Rinse the bean pods in the warm mixture and discard the pods. Mix the scrapings from the bean pod into the milk.

Gradually add the warm milk mixture to the egg yolks, mixing constantly. The mixture should then be ladled into 4 ounce Pyrex custard cups. Then place the cups in a 4 inch deep baking pan, in a half inch of water. Place baking pan on stove top and bring water to a boil. Turn off heat and immediately cover pan with aluminum foil. Carefully place pan in convection oven preheated to 350 degrees for 25 minutes or a regular oven for 30 miutes. Do not over cook, this is crucial to the texture of the finished product.

Shared by Patty B.

Starfish Story

When you think what you say or do may not matter - remember this little story:

You may have heard the story of the young boy seen walking on a long stretch of beach that was covered with starfish. The tide had washed in the little creatures and deposited them on the beach. When the tide went out, the starfish were left stranded and dying. An old man observed the boy as he stooped down, picked up the starfish one by one, and then gently tossed them back into the sea. "young man," he said, "look at all these starfish! There are thousands of them all up and down this beach! Do you really think you're going to make a difference?" The boy stooped down, picked up another starfish, and tossed it into the ocean. "I made a difference to that one." he answered simply.

Shared by Patty B.

Always Live In View of Eternity

I have this acronym “ALIVE” on a post-it note on my desk. A dear friend introduced it to me at a time in my life when I was feelings pretty discouraged and lost. Wherever I go – this post-it note ends up on my desk in one of those little wire picture frame holders. I keep it to remind me of how I should live because it is so easy to loose track of what is important in life, what really matters and where I am going. It helps me focus on the things of God and to let go of the things that, at the time can seem immensely important, but if not of God truly are of little value. I want my life to model a person of integrity and honor, and in this world we can become so distracted by worldly things that our focus gets lost. So I keep this post-it note to bring me back so I don’t become so discouraged in life to no longer care. Days and months can go by and I can forget this little post-it note is there. But then there are days, like today, when I need it the most to remind me to “always live in view of eternity.” I hope you will copy this and put in a place where you too will be reminded of the Hope you have and where to place your focus so you can “always live in view of eternity.”

Written by Patty B.

This N That

Quote for the week

Ask yourself, "what difference will this thing we're fighting about make in ten years? In one year? In a month?


-- Author Unknown
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Book Recommendation

"Windows Of The Soul"

by Ken Gire

Windows of the Soul is a rare book, resounding with the cry for communion that is both ours and God's. With passion, honesty, and beauty, Ken Gire calls us to a fresh sensitivity to God's voice speaking through the unexpected parables that surround us: a child's need for significance...the misunderstood sadness of a Van Gogh masterpiece...the eloquence of sunlight dancing on water...


Windows of the Soul will open you eyes to a fresh way of seeig, hearing, and enjoying th presence of God in your life.

Favorite Recipe from the National Hotel Kitchen in Jamestown California

Raspberry Vinaigrette~ Their most popular dressing


1 large egg
3/4 cup granulated sugar
16 oz. or 1 pint salad oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 raspberries (pureed & strained)


Combine eggs and vinegar in blender. Slowly add 1 pint salad oil.
Add sugar and raspberries. Mix well.


Makes approximately 1 pint or 16 1oz servings.


Went with some friends (Corinne and her husband) to dinner there last night and had this dressing - Yummy!!!!

What if there isn't "anymore"?

Author Unknown

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore".

No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute."

Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.

This is true for marriage.....And old cars... And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special.. And so, we keep them close!

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow:

I LOVE YA!!!

Live today because tomorrow is not promised.

Shared by Patty B. ♥

The Flood

Author Unknown

Once upon a time there was a man of great faith. The man lived in a small town. One day it began to rain. The rain continued until the streets in the town began to flood. The mayor sent police officers through the streets, knocking on doors and shouting through bullhorns for the citizens to evacuate their homes. But the man said, "No, I will not evacuate, God will save me."

The waters continued to rise until the man was forced to climb the stairs to the second floor of his home. Soon the mayor sent the fire department on rafts through the streets of the town. They called to the man to get into the raft. But the man shouted from his second floor window, "No, I will not get into a raft. God will save me."

The rain fell heavily and soon the water rose above the second floor. Now the man had to climb to the roof of the house. The mayor sent the rescue squad in a helicopter. They dropped a rope ladder and shouted over the din of the propeller blades for the man to grab onto the ladder. But the man called back, "No, I will not take hold of your ladder. God will save me."

Soon the flood waters rose even higher and washed the man off his roof, and he drowned in th raging current.

When the man reached heaven, he angrily banged on the gates and demanded to see God. After some negotiation, he was taken to the Throne. The man said, "I am a man of great faith. Why didn't you save me?"

And God replied, "Well, I sent you police officers...the fire department...the rescue squad..."

Shared by Patty B. ♥

Carrot Cake

This is a family cake we have been enjoying for years. The cake is very moist and yummy!
Patty B.

Cake:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups wession oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 eggs
3 cups shredded carrots
1 cup chopped nuts
2 cups sugar

Cream sugar and oil together, add beaten eggs and mix well. Sift dry ingredience together and add to cake mixture. Add carrots and nuts last.

Bake in greased cake pan at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

Frosting:

4 oz. cream cheese
3/4 cube butter
1/2 box powder sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
few drops milk

Mix all above ingredence together.

Frost cake when cool and enjoy!

Household Hints and Tips

Alternative household uses for Bounce softener sheets:

1) Musty book smells: It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

2)Eliminates static electricity from your television screen. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling. Works for venetian blinds too.

3) Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.

4) Freshen the air in your home. Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.

5) Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.

6) Freshen the air in your car. Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.

7) Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight so they wll smell better in the AM.

8) Repels mosquitoes: Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop or place one in your pocket when outdoors during mosquito season. (I heard this one really does not work)

A Native American Tale

A young boy came across his grandfather sitting quietly and asked, "Grandfather, what are you doing?" The Grandfather whispered back, "There are two wolves fighting in my head." "Who will win?" asked the child. "The one that I feed," replied the wise old man.

                                   Author Unknown   

Shared by Patty B.                         

Book Review

The Secret Things of God

written by Dr. Henry Cloud

This book is a positive Christian alternative to the best selling book The Secret. It reveals the "secret things of God" - secrets about God, about happiness, about relationships, and about your purpose. These tested spiritual truths reveal principles that make life work.

Author Dr. Henry Cloud clearly and simply shares truths that have the proven ability to fill you with security, hope, purpose, and meaning - and make your life work. Cloud also explains how these truths, found in Judeo-Christian teachings, intersect and interface with the spiritual longings expressed in the principles found in The Secret and similar books; he further reveals where biblical truth transcends and differs from these principles. Recognizing and applauding the universal search for truth and connection with a power beyond the human. Cloud leads readers into relationship with a personal God who loves them and has given all to save them.

I recommend The Secret Things of God
Patty Billingham

Quote for the week...

Sow a thought and you reap an Act,
Sow an Act and you reap a Habit,
Sow a Habit and you reap a Character,
Sow a Character and you reap a Destiny.  
                             Author Unknown

Shared by Patty B.

JUST FOR TODAY

1. Just for today I will be happy. This assumes that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that "most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Happiness is from within; it is not a matter of externals.


2. Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

3. Just for today I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse nor neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.


4. Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

5. Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways; I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. I will do at least two things I don't want to do as William James suggests, just for exercise.


6. Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, nor fault with anything and not try to regulate nor improve anyone.


7. Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not to tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.


8. Just for today I will have a program. I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will eliminate two pests, hurry and indecision.


9. Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. In this half hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.


10. Just for today I will be unafraid, especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love, and to believe that those I love, love me.


Written by Sybyl F Partridge in 1916 and printed in
"How To Stop Worrying, And Start Living" by Dale Carnegie, 1951


Shared by Patty B. ♥

IN THE STORM

I saw a TV show where it told of the life of the coast guards who work on the seas rescuing fishermen and boaters in an area called the “Death Zone.” It is where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. This area has been called one of the roughest sea areas and is infamous for its treacherous waters that have caused countless shipwrecks. It has earned the nickname the “Graveyard of the Pacific” for the amount of ships and lives lost there. The coast guards talked about how the only way to get through these rough seas is to go straight into the waves. Straight into the twenty plus high waves that are notoriously violent and quick to change.

You know life is a lot like that. It often brings us unexpected storms; chaos and turmoil. And we need to go through our stormy times, face the pain and hurt to get to the other side. We have to face the pain we are not dealing with in order to get past whatever it is we are suffering with. Just waiting for the pain to go away is not enough.

The wonderful thing is that as Christians we don’t have to go through our storms alone. Jesus is there with us. He is our life-preserve. ♥

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2 NIV)

Written by Patty B. ♥

Heavenly Salad

1 small pkg. lime jello
1/2 cup chooped nuts
1 cup pineapple juice
1 small bottle cherries
1 1/2 pkg. cream cheese (small)
2 tablespoon sugar
1 cup boiling water
1 can crushed pineapple (small)
1 cup whipping cream (whipped)

Mix sugar into jello before adding boiling water, then add cream cheese until dissolved, add pineapple juice and set in refrigerator. Wait until jello is almost set, then add 1 cup whipped cream, cherries, nuts and pineapple. Mix thoroughly. Let set in refrigerator.

Enjoy!

Patty B.

Recommended Book Read:

The DNA of Relationships
By Dr. Gary Smalley

Great book for working on improvement your relationships. Dr. Gary Samalley reveals the core problem of relationship struggles and provides solutions that work.

Shared by Patty B.

Quote by A.J. Cronin

"Life is no straight and easy corridor along which we travel free and unhampered, but a maze of passages, through which we must seek our way, lost and confused, now and again checked in a blind alley.

But always, if we have faith, a door will open for us, not perhaps one that we ourselves would ever have thought of, but one that will ultimately prove good for us."

Shared by Patty B.

WHAT IS REAL?

In the book Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams the Rabbit ask the Skin Horse “What is REAL?” And the Skin Horse tells the Rabbit “It’s a thing that happens to you. “ And later during that conversation the Rabbit asks the Skin Horse “does it hurt?” And the Skin Horse replies “Sometimes, but when you are REAL you don’t mind being hurt.” And the Rabbit goes on to ask “Does it happen all at once, like being wound up, or bit by bit?” And the Skin Horse replies “It doesn’t happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time. Generally, by the time you are REAL, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are REAL you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand….and once you are REAL you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.” And the Rabbit then longed to become REAL, yet the idea of growing shabby and losing his eyes and whiskers was rather sad. He wished that he could become it without these uncomfortable things happening to him.

As a counselor I have read this book to some of my clients or played the CD and inevitably it brings tears to the person, and it brought tears to me when I saw the Play in San Francisco a few years ago. There is something about this story that touches our soul. We all long to be REAL; to be noticed, to be appreciated, to be loved. And yet, in order for that to happen, we have to be willing to take risks. Risks that at times means we will get hurt. Like the Rabbit who had to let the little boy love him until he was all worn out in order to become REAL, we have to allow others to love us. And yes, sometimes it hurts. If we live long enough we know life will bring us heartaches, disappointments and losses. But the good news is we can live with the certainty that God is with us through it all ♥

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”   (Deut. 31:8 NLT)

Written by Patty B. ♥

Take Time To Dance

We can get caught up in the day to day grind of life and forget along the way what is important to us or forget to enjoy the moment. Our responsibilities overwhelm us and take over our lives. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to look back on my life and have regrets for not doing the things that matter the most to me, or regret I did not spend time with the ones I love, or did not take that dance class I always wanted to take. Everyday we need to weigh in on what and how we will spend that day, as it will never be given back to us. It’s important to examine our life and see if we are filling it up with clutter that is only taking us away from what we want in life and who we want to be. Are you going to stand on the side line and wait for life to just happen and allow others to decide how your life will play out? Or are you going to take that first step out onto the dance floor and dance and watch your life come alive?

“Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance.”
                                                                                                                    Oprah

Written by Patty B. ♥

Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness,

and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you had painted something different.

                                                                                        Author Unknown

Golden Rules for Living

If you open it, close it.
If you turn it on, turn it off.
If you unlock it, lock it up.
If you break it, admit it.
If you can't fix it, call in someone who can.
If you borrow it, return it.
If you value it, take care of it.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
If you move it, put it back.
If it belongs to someone else and you want to use it, get permission.
If you don't know how to operate it, leave it alone.
If it's none of your business, don't ask questions.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
If it will brighten someone's day, say it.
If it will tarnish someone's reputation, keep it to yourself.

Author Unknown

He Simply Wants Our Love

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)

God has given us His Scriptures as a way to know Him. It is His way of revealing Himself to us. It is His way of engaging in an intimate relationship with us. If we seek Him out, we will find His love for us. More then anything else, God wants our heart, our whole being. He wants us to be in communion with Him. He simply wants our love. And when you love someone you spend time with them, you walk with them, you talk with them, and you listen to them.

So take some time right now and simply be with God and His Word. He will show you His love. You will always be amazed and never disappointed.♥

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
(Deut. 6:5 NIV)

Written by Patty B.

101 Ways to Praise a Child!

WOW • WAY TO GO • SUPER • YOU'RE SPECIAL • OUTSTANDING • EXCELLENT •
GREAT• GOOD • NEAT • WELL DONE • REMARKABLE • I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT • I'M PROUD OF YOU • FANTASTIC • SUPER STAR • NICE WORK • LOOKING GOOD • YOU'RE ON TOP OF IT • BEAUTIFUL • NOW YOU'RE FLYING • YOU'RE CATCHING ON • NOW YOU'VE GOT IT • YOU'RE INCREDIBLE • BRAVO • YOU'RE FANTASTIC • HURRAY FOR YOU • YOU'RE ON TARGET • YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY • HOW NICE • HOW SMART • GOOD JOB • THAT'S INCREDIBLE • HOT DOG • DYNAMITE • YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL • YOU'RE UNIQUE • NOTHING CAN STOP YOU NOW • GOOD FOR YOU • I LIKE YOU YOU'RE A WINNER • REMARKABLE JOB • BEAUTIFUL WORK • SPECTACULAR • YOU'RE SPECTACULAR • YOU'RE DARLING • YOU'RE PRECIOUS • GREAT DISCOVERY • YOU'VE DISCOVERED THE SECRET • YOU FIGURED IT OUT • FANTASTIC JOB • HIP, HIP, HURRAY • BINGO • MAGNIFICENT • MARVELOUS • TERRIFIC • YOU'RE IMPORTANT • PHENOMENAL • YOU'RE SENSATIONAL • SUPER WORK • CREATIVE JOB • SUPER JOB • FANTASTIC JOB • EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE • YOU'RE A REAL TROOPER • YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE • YOU ARE EXCITING • YOU LEARNED IT RIGHT • WHAT AN IMAGINATION •WHAT A GOOD LISTENER • YOU ARE FUN • YOU'RE GROWING UP • YOU TRIED HARD • YOU CARE • BEAUTIFUL SHARING • OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE • YOU'RE A GOOD FRIEND • I TRUST YOU • YOU'RE IMPORTANT • YOU MEAN A LOT TO ME • YOU MAKE ME HAPPY • YOU BELONG • YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND • YOU MAKE ME LAUGH • YOU BRIGHTEN MY DAY • I RESPECT YOU • YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME • THAT'S CORRECT • YOU'RE A JOY • YOU'RE A TREASURE • YOU'RE WONDERFUL • YOU'RE PERFECT • AWESOME • A+ JOB • YOU'RE A-OK MY BUDDY • YOU MADE MY DAY • THAT'S THE BEST • A BIG HUG • A BIG KISS • SAY I LOVE YOU!

Author Unknown

Nothing New Under the Sun

We all know the book of Ecclesiastes where Solomon preaches sadly about his own folly in looking for satisfaction in the things of the world, which in the end he finds more bitter than death.

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (Eccles 1:9 TNIV)

“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. (Eccles 2:11 NKJV)

“This is not meant in a general sense; but that there is no new source of happiness which can be devised; the same round of petty pleasures, cares, business, study, wars, etc..” (Holden)

As Americans we enjoy the abundance of what the world has to offer materialistically. And often we place our value on what we have acquired and our identity is found in our jobs. Sadly we have allowed the world to define who we are and where we get our self-worth from. If we don’t have…, if we are not… , if we loss…,we judge ourselves and see ourselves as a failure by the world’s standards. How unfortunate. God has so much more for us. We are so much more to Him. Success is not measured by the things we have, the jobs we hold, or who we know. Success is really about the significance of the life we lead. It’s about how we treat one another, how we comfort one another. It’s about what we do with the people God brings to us, it’s about our character. It’s what we do when no one is looking. It’s what we do, because it is the right thing to do. It’s not about what we are going to get out of it, or to gain another’s approval.

So when you feel like your not measuring up, like you are not where our world says you should be; I would stop and reflect, because maybe you are far more successful in God’s eyes. He took notice when you went at 10:00 at night to check on a sick friend. He saw you give a friend a ride to work. And he heard you make the phone call to your grandma, who lives alone, just to say hi. God knows your heart and you have significant value in Him. And that is where our happiness and joy is found ♥

“We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the
size of our automobiles rather than by the quality of our service
and the relationship to mankind.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I am beginning to see that the things that really matter take place not
in the boardrooms but in the kitchens of the world.”
Gary Sledge

Written by Patty B.

The Ups and Downs of Life

We have all been there, you know, the days you feel like you are drowning and no matter how hard you paddle you seem to get further and further in deep waters and depression and anxiety sets in. And you sometimes wonder where God is in all of this. We women want to make it all better for everyone – and now! It’s how we are made up. But I often find it is a matter of letting go. Letting go of expectations, letting go of the controls, letting go of trying to fix it all. It is a matter of giving it up to God. Trusting he is in control and he is working on the matters of your heart. Is it easy? No. Do I need to give it to God often? Yes, sometimes moment to moment. It means to “cease striving and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). It’s about “casting all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Does God hear us? Yes. And yes, He responds; sometimes it takes time, a long time. But His timing is always best. Just two days ago I found out one of my prayers was recently answered. I have been praying this prayer for 19 years, yes 19 years! And God answered it, in His timing, and it was better than I could have imagined. So let’s work hard on giving it up to God. Let go of the controls and watch Him work! Trust that He loves you and knows what is best for you and your loved ones.

Right now go to Him in prayer and tell Him you surrender the matters of your heart to Him to do a good work ♥

Written by Patty B.

Give It Away to Get It Back

"There is a wonderful, almost mystical, law of nature that says three of the things we want most - happiness, freedom, and peace of mind - are always attained when we give them to others."
Book: Wooden
By: Coach John Wooden with Steve Jamison

A Poem by Helen Steiner Rice

Everywhere Across the land You See God's Face and Touch His Hand

Each time you look up in the sky
Or watch the fluffy clouds drift by,
Or feel the sunshine warm and bright,
Or watch the dark night turn to light.
Or hear a bluebird gayly sing,
Or see the winter turn to spring,
Or stop to pick a daffodil,
Or gather violets on some hill,
Or touch a leaf or see a tree,
It's all God whispering, "This is Me
And I am Faith and I am Light
And in Me there shall be no night.

To Give Something A Second Look

I have been reading this book called Windows of the Soul by Ken Gire. It's one of those books you keep going back to and rereading every so often. The passage below is a section of the book I find myself being drawn to, over and over again.

"Windows of the soul is a way of seeing that begins with respect. The way we show respect is to give it a second look, a look not of the eyes but of the heart. But so often we don't give something a second look because we don't think there is something there to see.

To respect something is to understand that there is something there to see, that it is not all surface, that something lies beneath the surface, something that has the power to change the way we think or feel, something that may prove so profound a revelation as to change not only how we look at our lives but how we live them.

Jesus lived His life that way, seeing beyond the pictures of the widow at Nain and the woman at the well, of the tax collector in the tree and the thief on the cross, of the rich man and Lazarus.

He was constantly looking beyond the two dimensions of the full-sized portraits framed before him. Beyond the widow's tears for the dead son Jesus saw how much she needed that son to fill the hole left by her deceased husband. Beyond the Samaritan woman's veil, He saw the five marriages that had failed, and beyond that, the emptiness in her life that grew bigger with each divorce. Beyond the power and wealth of Zacchaeus, He saw a small man with a big hole in his heart that all the power and wealth in the world couldn't fill. Beyond the sores of Lazarus, He saw a soul of eternal worth. Beyond the clothes of the rich man, He saw a soul in rags."
Windows of the Soul
Ken Gire

While reading this passage of the book I was reminded of a time when I was in San Francisco, California for a seminar. It was such a beautiful day I decided to walk down to the wharf for lunch so I could enjoy my lunch while watching all the sail boats go by. It was a picture perfect day. As I was sitting at a table in full enjoyment of the fresh air, the blue sky and the white sail boats, I noticed an elderly lady looking for a place to sit down. She was all dressed up in her Sunday best, with hat, jewelry, a purse on her arm and alone. I have to say at first I thought of myself. I wanted to enjoy my view and I knew if I invited her to my table I could not let her sit there and go unnoticed, so my sail boat watching would be interrupted. But something tugged at my soul, so I invited her to my table. For the next hour I listened to her tell the story of her life. She was such a delightful lady who had such a rich history, and I would have missed out on her story if I had not taken a second glance at an elderly lady looking for a table to sit at or if I felt inviting her to my table would interfere with my sail boat watching. I think she enjoyed the conversation as much as I did. Her husband had died a couple of years ago and she now lived alone. Maybe she was looking for someone to listen to her, someone to talk to so she did not have to spend another meal alone, or someone to tell her story to. At 84 years old she was still involved in her community; she had a love for San Francisco and wanted to preserve its culture. She made an impact on me that day. The way she lived her life reminded me that we all have an opportunity to leave an impact on our communities that will go beyond our life time, and that we can choose how we spend our life - for ourselves or for the good of all. We can live our lives looking inward to self - or we can take notice of what is around us and look with our heart and as Ken Gire says "to give something a second look."

So often our society ignores the elder, the poor, the homeless, or the troubled soul. We judge, we don't want to see it, or be bothered with it. We don't know how to deal with it, it's uncomfortable. We want our life to be easy and uncomplicated; yet as Ken Gire's passage reminds us there is something there to see, to learn from and change how we live our life - if we dare take a second look.

Written by Patty B.

Celebrate Who You Are!

My roses are now in full bloom, but they did not start out that way. It took a lot of attention on my part. In order to sprout new growth they needed pruning, water, nourishment and time. But each day I looked on in wonder at their beauty. Each bush and each rose has its own journey to full bloom and its own uniqueness. Below is a writing about roses, but it’s also a reminder about acceptance of self and how we should not be critical of where we are at in our life; as each of us has our own journey and at each stage of that journey it is a wonder in itself and a celebration of our own unique being! God accepts us into His flock, just as we are. So why is it so hard for us to accept and love ourselves? Think about what rigid expectations you or others are putting on you and tell yourself now is the time to let go and start loving yourself and celebrating who you are!

“When we plant a rose seed in the earth, we notice that it is small, but we do not criticize it as “rootless and stemless.” We treat it as a seed, giving it the water and nourishment required of a seed. When it first shoots up out of the earth, we don’t condemn it as immature and underdeveloped, nor do we criticize the buds for not being open when they appear. We stand in wonder at the process taking place and give the plant the care it needs at each stage of its development. The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed to the time it dies. Within it, at all times, it contains its whole potential. It seems to be constantly in the process of change; yet at each state, at each moment, it is whole as it is (Gallwey 1974).

I would love to read your thoughts on this topic so I encourage you to join in on the table talk conversation!
Written by Patty B.

Don't Believe Everything You Think To Be Truth!

Do you find yourself filled with negative thoughts about yourself? By the end of the day are you feeling depressed, lonely, anxious and irritated? I have those days and when I am mindful of what is going on internally for me, it usually starts with my self-talk, my thoughts, which in turn creates all kinds of negative feelings. Then I act on those feelings and the vicious spiraling circle downward begins. And in the end I feel defeated.

Our thoughts and beliefs shape who we are and our life. What we think about all day long, over long periods of time, eventually enters our heart as a belief and eventually it is who we become. Our thoughts and the words we speak create our experiences, it is what we act on. If I believe I can not do anything right and I am not good enough, then that is what I will find in my world. I will see all my mistakes and believe I do not deserve goodness and in turn that will only reinforce my belief about myself. If, instead I believe everybody makes mistakes, nobody is perfect and I am deserving of goodness, I will see myself as human and worthy. It is our rigid beliefs about how life should be lived that trips us up. We become stuck, fearful, and anxious and this keeps us from moving forward in life or we act on those beliefs and things do not turn out so well for us.

Our past does not have to continue to have power over us. We can begin to be free in this moment if we start to look to God and what He believes about us. Stop for a moment - what are you thinking right now? If it is true that your thoughts shape who you are and your life, would you want what you are thinking right now to become true for you?

Right now you have the power to change your future. What you choose to think on right now, in this moment, will create what the next moment will be like and have an impact on your future. It will shape the experiences of all your tomorrows.

Only you can change your thoughts and beliefs and the only way for that to happen is to surrender your own thoughts and replace them with God's truth. You need to be mindful of what you are thinking. Is it negative or positive? Is it true? Does it line up with what God believes about you? Don't believe everything you believe to be truth!

So first we have to be willing to change and then decide in this moment to make that change. And the way we do that is to start changing our self-talk. We need to tell ourselves what God believes about us. And positive affirmations are a way to help us with that. Affirmations are positive; they are a proactive way to change our beliefs about ourselves. God's word tells us: "whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

So below are some positive affirmations to get you going; to help you start believing what God believes about you! Write them on 3 x 5 cards and carry them around with you and when you catch yourself engaging in negative self-talk read the affirmations. When you wake up in the morning read the affirmations and when you lie down at night read the affirmations. Make it a habit to read them over and over again. They will enter your heart and then watch the change happen! You will see yourself as God sees you!

Affirmations
1) I am perfect and complete in Christ
2) I am complete, delivered, completely forgiven (Col 1&2)
3) I am a beautiful person inside and out
4) I am doing the best I can in this moment and that is good enough!
5) God loves me
6) I love who I am
7) These are just thoughts they're fading away
8) I'm okay the way I am
9) I am a unique and creative person
10) I deserve the good things in life as much as anyone
11) I am worthy of the respect of others
12) I can continue to make progress one step at a time
13) It's okay to simply be me
14) I deserve to have my feelings and needs taken care of as much as anyone else
15) There are a lot of good qualities I have that I believe in

"For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well" (Psalm 139:13, 14 NASB).
Written by Patty B.

Balancing Discipline with Encouragement

"Fathers, don't scold your children so much that they become discouraged and quit trying" (Colossians 3-2 The Living Bible)

Healthy parent/child relationships do not just happen in families. The relationship between parents and children requires much time and effort.

As parents we want to raise our children to be happy, healthy, confident and responsible individuals. Often we focus more on the aspect of discipline to promote this. We look at what is lacking in our children. We notice what our child is not doing...should be doing. We say things like "Why didn't you..." or "stop doing that" or "you need to..." and so on. While discipline is very important in providing boundaries, limits and consequences to promote responsibility, without balancing it with encouragement your child will grow up feeling defeated, hopeless and lack a healthy self-esteem. By encouraging our children in areas they succeed at, commenting on efforts being made and noticing the steps they are taking, we as parents are allowing our children to grow into the things God uniquely made them to be.

Webster's Dictionary defines encourage as "to give courage, hope, or confidence to; to give support to; help."

We as parents can learn to be better encouragers to our children by promoting the following:

1) Notice what is special about your child
Every child is unique and wonderfully made by God. Your child has many special and wonderful qualities. When you notice these qualities and point them out, you child will feel encouraged. With each bit of encouragement, your child will grow to like themselves a little bit more and become more confident. Build on their strengths, this promotes a healthy self-esteem.

2) Avoid comparing your child to another
Accept each child for who they are, know their limitations and respect individual differences. By promoting competition between children it brings hopelessness of the situation to the discouraged child. Focus on your child as an individual being cautious not to compare them to another. God has given each child they own unique talents, no two individuals are the same.

3) Notice your child's efforts
Encouragement means focusing on your child's strengths and talents, not on their mistakes. Remember where your child is developmentally, both emotionally and physically. What one child is able and ready to do, may not be the same for another. Every skill learned is made up of small steps and efforts. You don't have to wait for your child to finish a whole assignment or learn a new skill before commenting on the effort being made. Look for the small successes along the way. Each step your child makes is an opportunity for the parent to encourage their child. Focus on the effort, not the outcome. When you notice the steps along the way, you help your child keep going and it builds self-esteem. Noticing your child's efforts empowers them.

4) Catch your child being good
Take notice when they are behaving and comment on it. Be specific with what your notice. This tells them exactly what positive behavior you are seeing and promotes this. "Thank you for being so quiet while I was on the phone." "Thank you for taking the trash out without my asking." "You put all your toys in the toy box, that's great!"

5) Ask your child their thoughts about the situation
By asking them for their thoughts about the situation you will be teaching them to assert themselves in a healthy way and they will also feel valued....they matter. This will help them develop the ability to think things through for themselves and not be reactive.

6) Help your child change their negative thoughts about themselves by giving them positive statements
Give them positive self-talk statements like: "God loves me just as I am." "No matter what they think or say about me, I am a worthwhile person." "I made the effort, that's what counts." "I did the best I could, that's all anyone can do."

7) Give your child unconditional love
You can accept your child without accepting their misbehavior. Assure your child that you love them no matter what they do. Your child needs to know you do not expect perfection from them. They need to know you love them just as they are. "Love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person" (Lee Ezell). Give them physical affection. Spend one on one time with them. Let your child know you enjoy being with them. This will give them the message they are special and wanted.

Our children can live in a home filled with discouragement, or we can provide a home filled with encouragement where each person's uniqueness is celebrated and there is understanding and acceptance of differences.

"We live by encouragement and we die without it, slowly, sadly, and angrily."
Celeste Holme

We as parents must take the time and make the effort and use it the very best way we can in order to make an impact on the children God has put under our care. By His grace we can be the kind of parents God wants us to be.
Written by Patty B.

In Times of Uncertainty

"My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God"(Psalm 84:2)

In times of uncertainty we can naturally become anxious and fearful of the future, the unknown. We worry what will be taken from us, what will be no more. And yet it is these thoughts that bring me back to what I truly know can never be taken away from me - my relationship with God. As I am sitting here on my front porch beneath our majestic oak tree watching the comings and goings of the birds, the squirrels and the butterflies I am reminded of my relationship with God. Like our oak tree that provides shade, shelter, food, protection and comfort to the animals; my God provides for me all that I need. He is my Provider, my Protector, and my Comforter. Like our oak tree that stands strong, extending its branches out waiting for the animals to come; my God waits for me, extending His love out yearning for me to come. Yes, waiting for me to come and experience His everlasting love. And like the animals that come daily to take refuge in our oak tree; I can find refuge in my God. And that is why my soul longs and yearns for my God. That is why my heart can shout with joy even in times of uncertainty. And yes, He longs for you to come to Him.
Written by Patty B.