Thankful for little things: a shady parking space

Florida is not the hottest state these days but it's pretty muggy. So, I'm sure thankful when I head out for groceries to find a shady parking spot!  Another reason to shop Sam's Club during business early hours!

In the kitchen: storing cheese

I've been cooking for  my family for 25+ years and never knew this, so maybe you don't either. Cheese stores much better wrapped in waxed paper rather than plastic wrap.   It's OK to put in a plastic bag once it's wrapped in the waxed paper.

Quick no carb (no grains) breakfast

Too many parties, showers, family events and food sabotages lately!!  Back on track this morning with a quick and easy no-carb breakfast before I start work today:

• a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach
• 2 eggs
• a little bit of cheese (this is goat cheese)
• 1 tsp. of olive oil
• 1 tbsp. of milk
• handful of mushrooms

Takes about 5 minutes to cook and voila!

Simple luxuries : hanging towels

After everyone's towels have had a chance to fully dry, I go into the bathrooms and fold/ hang them neatly. A little thing, but a bit of pampering that everyone, including me, appreciates. 

Which would make you feel more special?

Pizza Supper

Pizza--homemade bread dough flattened/spread on a baking sheet, spaghetti sauce, shredded cheese mozzarella cheese sticks (almost panicked here since I was out of cheese!) + sliced onions, fresh mushrooms, green &  yellow peppers and bacon.  This was dinner on Friday and lunch today.  My family LOVES this meal.  :)  [All of these ingredients except for the 2 cups of freshly ground grain came from Aldi.]

Homemade Pizza

Homemade Pizza

Mixed Green Salad. Also made  a large green salad with lots of different veggies to go with the pizza.

Beth Moore James Mercy Triumphs Week 1

Week 1, Day 5

Others have certainly written about Mr. Holland's Opus, myself included.... I love the section in today's lesson that refers to the words "in agreement" (Acts 15:15) which is symphoneo in Greek.  It means "to agree" but is used as the root for our word symphony.

How wonderful that with all of our discord, annoyances and dissimilarities that we in Christ, can also be a symphony of the Lord's... HIS opus.  :)

Beth Moore: James / Mercy Triumphs Week 1

Week 1, Day 4

Gal 5:25-26 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. 

...That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives.  Each of us is an original. [Eugene Peterson]

Let's be crucified to pride and comparison. There's a big, needy world out there, and God's way of reaching it is to enlist everyone of us to do our parts in love and humility, variety and diversity. [Beth Moore]

Beth Moore: James / Mercy Triumphs Week 1

Week 1, Day 3

Assignment:

Choose a period of years in your own life (or do an entire timeline)  that proved very strategic in your journey towards Christ or with Him.  Make a timeline.   It will remind you how faithful and intentional your God has been toward you. [Click HERE to see one that I have done previously.]

For me, 1978 (when I became a Christian) and 1982 (a recommittal after turning away for a time) were "turning point" years for me...  What were yours?

Eccl 3:11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. 

Beth Moore: James / Mercy Triumphs Week 1

It's time to live like those who cannot die...

Beth Moore / James study Mercy Triumphs

Week 1, Day 2



James and Jesus.
One was the son of Joseph. The other was the Son of God.

Week 1, Day 1


What were your favorite quotes? thoughts? from these 2 days?

Group Bible study at home

Last Friday I started a small morning ladies Bible study group in our home.  Seven women attended this week, about 12 will come next week--a nice size for a small group study.  I had been putting this off and finally decided to act.   Since I usually do not work on Fridays it fits into my schedule well. As much as I value my time, I can give up one morning a week for a couple of months.   Last summer I had completed a Beth Moore study on the book of James called "Mercy Triumphs".  Excellent study, by the way.   I had purchased the audios at the time and have had them for a year, thinking that one day I would share them.  Last Friday was the day...

We'll meet for 7 weeks + a lunch together, ending the week after Labor Day.  God's perfect timing.

If you have been waiting and pondering about something that the Lord has been nudging you to do, today may be the time...  :)  It doesn't have to be as involved as having a Bible study (but it could be).  Invite a friend or two over for coffee or lunch, grab a Jeremiah's Ice and meet in the park for a visit or prayer, take a walk in the mall with a younger mom and her little one...be creative.

Just looking at this photo of some of the women pouring over their Bibles and writing notes while Beth is speaking, warms my heart.   I have the audios, rather than the videos which I prefer.  We are looking at each other rather than the TV.  :)   Making some coffee, tidying up the house a little, and being available for a few hours one morning a week...why did I wait so long?

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.