tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165106512024-03-21T14:04:25.937-07:00The Chronicles of Dessa"In defense of opening my soul and laying it bare to the public gaze...I must say that we seldom do anybody much good excepting as we share the deepest experiences of our souls.
As for me, I am convinced that this spiritual pilgrimage, which I am making is infinitely worthwhile, the most important thing I know to talk about. And talk I shall while there is anybody to listen."
--Frank Laubach--Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-46109983648307418232014-01-06T23:57:00.000-08:002014-01-06T23:57:00.629-08:00Twelve Goals for 20141. Study God's Word every day!<br />
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2. Be consistent in training Autumn and Eden.<br />
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3. Read 1 book per month that's non-fiction, a biography, or a classic.<br />
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4. Get physically fit.<br />
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5. Run a half-marathon with my sister.<br />
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6. Sew a quilt for Luke and I's bed.<br />
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7. Eat grains the healthy way -- grinding yourself, soaking, sprouted.<br />
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8. Blog once a week (because you enjoy it!).<br />
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9. Take more pictures.<br />
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10. Play the piano at least once a week.<br />
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11. Don't let your electronic devices or entertainment rule over you or waste your time.<br />
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12. Build or buy a home. Be a home-owner by the end of the year!<br />
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Lets see how I do! I think these are manageable even with my two Littles.<br />
Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-54671468655189115182011-10-30T17:29:00.000-07:002011-10-30T17:47:50.181-07:00Plan It--Don't Panic! Week 6So one huge thing happened to us this month which interrupted the Plan It--Don't Panic blogs for a few weeks!<br /><br />We welcomed Autumn Shalom Redman into our lives! :D I gave birth to her at home on October 10, 2011 at 11:00 am. It was wonderful. Later on in the week I will try to post the whole story for those of you who would like to hear it. We love her so much!<br /><br /><br />Now for the final week:<br />October 31st to November 6th--<br />Monday--Breakfast: cold cereal & eggs<br /> Dinner: beef enchiladas<br />Tuesday--Breakfast: smoothies & toast<br /> Dinner: ham and navy bean soup<br />Wednesday--Breakfast: eggs & toast<br /> Dinner: chicken Pad Thai<br />Thursday--Breakfast: hot cereal & eggs<br /> Dinner: chili w/ cornbread muffins<br />Friday--Breakfast: smoothies & toast<br /> Dinner: turkey salad sandwiches<br />Saturday--Breakfast: pancakes & eggs<br /> Dinner: tatertot casserole<br />Sunday--Breakfast: oatmeal w/ fruit & nuts<br /> Dinner: Harvest Dinner @ church (make/bring stuffing)<br /><br />Confession: Most of these meals are pre-made freezer meals I made when I was pregnant so that I wouldn't have to worry much about making meals the first month after giving birth. I have been thankful I did this. I have also been very grateful for 2 weeks of meals that our church family has so graciously brought to us. God has blessed us so much!Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-61404527892153996892011-10-03T18:26:00.000-07:002011-10-03T18:48:23.168-07:00Plan it--Don't Panic! Week 2All righty here's the plan for this week...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">October 3rd-9th:</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Monday</span>--Breakfast: oatmeal w/ fruit & nuts<br /> Dinner: steaks, cornbread stuffing, green beans<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tuesday</span>--Breakfast: fried eggs & toast<br /> Dinner: Mediterranean meatballs<br /> Prep: soak rice, get out re-fried beans<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Wednesday</span>--Breakfast: smoothies & toast<br /> Dinner: Southwestern style casserole (because I didn't get around to making it last week!)<br /> Prep: get out roast<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thursday</span>--Breakfast: fried eggs & hot cereal<br /> Dinner: Pot roast w/ potatoes, carrot curry<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Friday</span>--Breakfast: smoothies & toast<br /> Dinner: leftovers<br /> Prep: get out bacon, soak pancake flour<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Saturday</span>--Breakfast: pancakes, bacon, & eggs<br /> Dinner: chicken breasts, tortellini in Alfredo sauce<br /> Prep: soak oatmeal<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sunday</span>--Breakfast: oatmeal w/ fruit & nuts<br /> Dinner: spagetti & salad<br /> <br /><br /><br />P.S. My first week of planning breakfasts went really well! I love having less to think about early in the morning, lol.Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-53656953223646249272011-09-30T13:15:00.000-07:002011-09-30T14:29:25.484-07:00The Coming KingHow many of you know what Rosh Hashanah is?<br /> <br />I didn't know until I began studying some of the Jewish feasts and holy days. It is the Jewish version of the "New Year." Except that it falls on the first day of their 7th month. It is a holy day that the people of Israel were commanded by God in Leviticus 23:23-25 to celebrate, the feast of trumpets.<br /><br />The trumpet they used is called a shofar and would be made of a ram's horn. According to the book "Feast," by Derek Leman that I've been reading through, "The shofar was used in various ways in ancient Israel: The trumpet was heard in God's appearance at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:16). The trumpet was used to gather armies to battle (Judges 3:27). The trumpet marked the special Jubilee year in which debts were remitted and slaves set free (Lev. 25:9). The trumpet was used at the coronation of kings (1 Kings 1:34)."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicr9X5ZG-e6S_NOtwGTWj4Gt0A3pL1aMcacb7-t_2mF8kV02Ac6tpQ6q9mQzshwe_u_F3m_YSHh0wJksrIk3j40wumbUoCWQEOAaEEAeZJjJ1u51R-e2UtFkFctVe0P8iCaZYnLg/s1600/Shofar1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicr9X5ZG-e6S_NOtwGTWj4Gt0A3pL1aMcacb7-t_2mF8kV02Ac6tpQ6q9mQzshwe_u_F3m_YSHh0wJksrIk3j40wumbUoCWQEOAaEEAeZJjJ1u51R-e2UtFkFctVe0P8iCaZYnLg/s320/Shofar1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658252004654108770" /></a><br /><br />The sound of the trumpet always called for attention and signaled change was about to come.<br /><br />So what did the trumpet mean in regards to Rosh Hashanah? It signaled the beginning of "The Ten Days of Awe," the period of self-reflection and repentance before another holy day, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, was to happen. On that day, a sacrifice would be made for the sins of the nation of Israel and they would wait to see if God accepted that sacrifice.<br /><br />By now you may be thinking, "Blah, blah, blah...so what significance does <span style="font-style:italic;">any</span> of this have to me, Dessa?"<br /><br />Well a big thing that Derek Leman points out in his book is that, "Someday trumpets are going to blow. And when they do, they will mean a change is at hand. The trumpets will herald the King."<br /><br />Scripture says:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."</span> (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Someday soon the King of kings is coming for us. He will then reign on earth, bringing hope and joy to those who have accepted Him as Messiah and Savior, and bringing fear and wrath on those who haven't.</span> This truth should lead believers to the importance of repentance and reflection in our daily lives. Not only do we personally need and want to be ready for His Second Coming by preparing our hearts and living lives that we won't be ashamed of, we must think about those who are not ready for His return. There are millions of souls in our world today that are not. Do our hearts break for them? Or are we hardened to that truth? Are you and I truly ready?<br /><br />I personally need this time of repentance and reflection. I am participating in the "Ten Days of Awe" in my private walk with God. I want to be ready for my King whenever He comes back for me, a servant who needs not be ashamed.Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-31616299661585657442011-09-27T11:17:00.000-07:002011-09-27T14:50:59.863-07:00Meal Planning & "Plan It--Don't Panic" Week 1A few weeks ago I was talking with an unmarried friend and she asked me what one of the hardest things I've had to learn while being married. I had to think about it for awhile, but then I realized that learning to be a better time manager has been a huge struggle for me! When you are single, disorganization doesn't wreak quite as much havoc on your life as when you are caring for another person who is depending on you. (I'm sure here in a few weeks I am going to find out how REALLY true that with the birth of our baby!) <br /><br />I still have a long way to go, but one of the most helpful things I've done to keep life organized is <span style="font-weight:bold;">plan out meals</span>. I've tried both weekly and monthly meal plans. Neither totally matters, both are beneficial. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are some benefits I've found to making a meal plan:</span><br /><br />1.) <span style="font-style:italic;">Knowing each day what your family will be eating.</span> It prevents rushing around 30 minutes before you want to eat like a chicken with your head cut off. You can make nice meals because you've had time to prepare. It adds a peacefulness to cooking.<br />2.) <span style="font-style:italic;">Being able to plan nutritious meals.</span> It helps me make the time to soak my grains, etc., things that don't happen if I don't plan ahead.<br />3.) <span style="font-style:italic;">It saves us money!</span> Meal planning allows me to make out a monthly/weekly grocery list and stick to it. I try to only go to the store for food once a week. It has been proven that the more trips you make to the store, the more money gets spent on impulse shopping. It also helps me budget out how much money we might need for groceries that month. <br /><br />So all that said here is my <a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2011/09/plan-it-dont-panic-the-official-start-of-the-meal-planning-challenge.html">"Plan It--Don't Panic!"</a> post for meals for the week of September 26th-October 2nd. I'm not sure if I will be able to participate in all 6 weeks because of the baby coming but I love that this is gathering women together to encourage this helpful practice! Plus it's given me some meal ideals already for next month. And usually I don't plan breakfasts but in honor of the challenge, I am trying it!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">September 26th-October 2nd</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Monday</span>--Breakfast: eggs, toast, yogurt<br /> Dinner: steaks w/pineapple chutney, baked potatoes, & coleslaw<br /> Prep: soak 1 1/2 cups navy beans<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tuesday</span>--Breakfast: smoothies & toast<br /> Dinner: ham & navy bean soup<br /> Prep: thaw hamburger<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Wednesday</span>--Breakfast: fried eggs, hash-browns w/onions & peppers<br /> Dinner: hamburgers w/ frybread buns, fresh veggies<br /> Prep: thaw hamburger<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thursday</span>--Breakfast: scrambled eggs, leftover frybread, fruit<br /> Dinner: lasagna<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Friday</span>--Breakfast: smoothies & toast <br /> Dinner: potato soup<br /> Prep: soak pinto/black bean mix; thaw stew meat<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Saturday</span>--Breakfast: pancakes & eggs<br /> Dinner: Chili w/ cornbread<br /> Prep: soak oatmeal & rice; thaw re-fried beans<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sunday</span>--Breakfast: oatmeal w/fruit & nuts<br /> Dinner: southwestern style casserole<br /><br />To see more about the challenge, check out this <a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2011/09/you-asked-for-it-plan-it-dont-panic-a-6-week-meal-planning-challenge.html?utm_source=BlogGlue_network&utm_medium=BlogGlue_Plugin">link</a>!Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-35397613550252730052011-08-26T12:40:00.000-07:002011-08-26T13:29:34.378-07:00Prepared for the Blessing"It is true that we must wait God's time for revival, and cannot force it; but is it not also true the HIS time is the Church is prepared for the blessing? There is nothing fluctuating or spasmodic about God's desires for His people. Their UNPREPAREDNESS is the only problem. The Church might have revival as wide and deep and as powerful as she please, if she would only comply with the conditions on which God can grant it.
<br />One of the most important things to observe in our Christian life and service is the CONDITION attached to any blessing that we may need....when there is obedience on our part to the divine condition, there follows abundant blessing and continuous victory."
<br />~James A. Stewart
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<br />Revival in the body of Christ has been on my heart a lot lately. (How could it not, when reading James A. Stewart's "Opened Windows"? Of which I highly recommend.)
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<br />And the big question has been, "What can I or should I do to help bring revival about?"
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<br />And really it goes back to being "a one-man revival." All I can do is make sure that I am doing the will of God for me and serving Him in obedience. But practically, what does that look like in my life?
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<br />Well these are the steps that He has shown me to prepare the soil of my life for the harvest He wants to grow there:
<br />1. Turning away from ALL known sin in my life.
<br />2. Obeying His Word even in the small stuff.
<br />3. Interceding for His body, the lost, our nation, and the world.
<br />4. Serving others with the love of Christ.
<br />5. Living out His priorities for my life.
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<br />Those are some huge things. But God promises to do each one in my life.
<br />"As His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." ~2 Peter 1:3-4
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<br />He's only asking me to be faithful in my day to day life. And He's promising His strength and help. In some ways it doesn't seem like enough to bring about the revival I desire to see in the Church today. I can easily fall prey to doubts. But God desires MY faithfulness. He doesn't ask me to save the world; He already did that! He asks that I live a holy life that others can see. He asks that I serve those closest to me with joy so I can then with good conscience serve those in other places. He asks that I be prepared for the blessing He wants to send.
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<br />Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-65602523737469602172011-06-30T11:45:00.000-07:002011-06-30T12:02:16.772-07:00Like Pooh BearI am now 5 1/2 months pregnant. I feel huge. I look huge. And I am only going to get bigger. Slightly depressing...except for the fact that I can comfort myself with the fact there is a baby in there and I'm not just fat :D<br /><br />Moving around is getting awkward. At work today, I was picking up toys in the daycare room and started singing that "Up, down, touch the ground" song that Winnie the Pooh sings. I feel like I'm starting to look like him, so it's a fitting song. <br /><br />Here's a <a href="http://youtu.be/3U8pAM4VXvI">link</a> to the video. It made me chuckle and remember my childhood, watching Winnie the Pooh.<br /><br />On other topics...<br />Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Ours will be very busy, but fun. Luke's brother is getting married on Saturday and then we'll be heading up to Crawfish Lake for the rest of the weekend to celebrate the 4th of July.Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-91421101139508747202011-05-19T16:27:00.000-07:002011-05-20T17:10:57.713-07:00Catching UpIt's been 2 months since I last wrote and I have a lot of catching up to do :) Some big things have happened around here!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkYwu89K-OOh6xbGWerKlQq1idlHKEA7JgLC-5eqydVCeljsBrcZ2AP5zkgcUG25l5KwdvkRQyj2CWErOqBKyEp2cc8E4MkfL6iN8wI2D9Zy59CXe5-aAxKBqDHfg47wVbegLZw/s1600/dessa%2527sblog+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkYwu89K-OOh6xbGWerKlQq1idlHKEA7JgLC-5eqydVCeljsBrcZ2AP5zkgcUG25l5KwdvkRQyj2CWErOqBKyEp2cc8E4MkfL6iN8wI2D9Zy59CXe5-aAxKBqDHfg47wVbegLZw/s320/dessa%2527sblog+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608577663606048930" /></a><br />Spring has come. Hopefully we'll have some apricots this year from this tree. Last year we didn't. Now summer is on the way...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAk16lKUcW9qz-UilCyi-YvvJWW8WS_LslAF9m0ZQ6st5kGcJF5LxwZxHCtC-7PikNdHHZVJ9chyiYUnjZmvrAiEGEekGyHc9cZSdZik2K1zRgFZEY-QPdUPogRB-K9n_lwUjcg/s1600/dessa%2527sblog+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAk16lKUcW9qz-UilCyi-YvvJWW8WS_LslAF9m0ZQ6st5kGcJF5LxwZxHCtC-7PikNdHHZVJ9chyiYUnjZmvrAiEGEekGyHc9cZSdZik2K1zRgFZEY-QPdUPogRB-K9n_lwUjcg/s320/dessa%2527sblog+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608578768452038306" /></a><br />This is unleavened bread. We had a Passover celebration at Luke and I's house with several friends over. It was a great time of comparing the Passover and what the Israelites were remembering to what Christians have to remember with Christ's death and resurrection. He was our Passover Lamb! Thank you God!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrnxcA1hziTXPeP8wRbneNnSbBK82wbTpHbbPAkgxmrVs6utP3S8QwLaKzLxfWLSE_x_vAfT2-CvbgCGS2NerewA4S2OG5USwGKwdOqJO3E559FviL90c3yZBhz6_ZSNpkhQDfg/s1600/dessa%2527sblog+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrnxcA1hziTXPeP8wRbneNnSbBK82wbTpHbbPAkgxmrVs6utP3S8QwLaKzLxfWLSE_x_vAfT2-CvbgCGS2NerewA4S2OG5USwGKwdOqJO3E559FviL90c3yZBhz6_ZSNpkhQDfg/s320/dessa%2527sblog+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608580416303673282" /></a><br />I got to plant flowers in my pots. They are so beautiful. This is my favorite flower I've planted so far.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLguu48QPO8nOYYJPTW5q82oOjjYbYC-CTY6h8yuVz_aaeg_6yGBOg-O8EYBAQxxT9sMzX6USG0Jykfkv4pu60e0NFZc-KZCkJLlA9oEBznq-bnB8qBmhqx17c0qoCQKbdqCYKQ/s1600/dessa%2527sblog+011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLguu48QPO8nOYYJPTW5q82oOjjYbYC-CTY6h8yuVz_aaeg_6yGBOg-O8EYBAQxxT9sMzX6USG0Jykfkv4pu60e0NFZc-KZCkJLlA9oEBznq-bnB8qBmhqx17c0qoCQKbdqCYKQ/s320/dessa%2527sblog+011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608582116383979762" /></a><br />I've been experimenting with kefir. This is a jar of water kefir. (Sorry I didn't have time to rotate the photo!) Kefir is still a mystery to me. Strange little growing creatures...but I do like to drink it. To find out more info, check out this site: http://www.culturesforhealth.com/expert-advice/compare-milk-kefir-versus-water-kefir.html<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYSx25sSVimsueoPPcKe_OMRbp0gBN-x9Yh2ok3TF53OnlDpIKg30fwEXfRW5jDZMA9sJRMQ5VMA4YgWeCU3U8gifooh2A5YOXvADqea_7pkEInKfxxoDl8XOE07fGM_lQTV2Ng/s1600/dessa%2527sblog+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYSx25sSVimsueoPPcKe_OMRbp0gBN-x9Yh2ok3TF53OnlDpIKg30fwEXfRW5jDZMA9sJRMQ5VMA4YgWeCU3U8gifooh2A5YOXvADqea_7pkEInKfxxoDl8XOE07fGM_lQTV2Ng/s320/dessa%2527sblog+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608584618180330306" /></a><br />And the BIGGEST happening of all...I'M PREGNANT! It was a surprise, but we are happy. I am now 4 months along and as you can see in the picture, am starting to grow a belly. My due date is October 15th. So that is definitely something you will be hearing more about later.<br /><br />That's what has been going on in my life in a nutshell. Talk to you later!<a href="http://www.culturesforhealth.com/expert-advice/compare-milk-kefir-versus-water-kefir.html"></a>Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-19395042640389304982011-03-19T11:49:00.000-07:002011-03-19T12:00:21.039-07:00"Do the Next Thing"Here is a poem that I read in a book recently. I love it! It's been such an encouragement to me these past few weeks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"Do the Next Thing"</span><br />(Author Unknown)<br /><br />At an old English parsonage down by the sea,<br />There came in the twilight a message to me.<br />Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven<br />That, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.<br />And all through the hours the quiet words ring, <br />Like a low inspiration, <span style="font-style:italic;">do the next thing</span>.<br /><br />Many a questioning, many a fear, <br />Many a doubt hath its quieting here. <br />Moment by moment, let down from heaven, <br />Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.<br />Fear not tomorrow, child of the King,<br />Trust them with Jesus, <span style="font-style:italic;">do the next thing</span>.<br /><br />Do it immediately, do it with prayer;<br />Do it reliantly, casting all care.<br />Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,<br />Who placed it before thee with earnest command.<br />Stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,<br />Leave all results, <span style="font-style:italic;">do the next thing</span>.<br /><br />Looking to Jesus, ever serener,<br />Working or suffering be thy demeanor;<br />In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,<br />The light of His countenance, be thy psalm,<br />Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.<br />Then, as He beckons, <span style="font-style:italic;">do the next thing</span>.Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-23191040077260996532011-01-30T15:15:00.000-08:002011-01-30T20:36:09.921-08:00Venison BourguignonI have been having fun trying out new recipes from a book that Luke got me this Christmas, <span style="font-style:italic;">Nourishing Traditions</span>. This past week I tried their "Beef Bourgignon" recipe with venison instead because we have a lot of that right now. Here is the recipe (with my additions in parenthesis) with some pictures that I took of some of the steps along the way. The recipe is found on page 336 of <span style="font-style:italic;">Nourishing Traditions</span> by Sally Fallon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Beef Bourguignon</span><br />Ingredients:<br />3 pounds stew beef (or venison), cut into 2" pieces<br />2 cups red wine<br />4 cups beef stock<br />6 tbsp butter<br />3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or coconut oil)<br />1/2 cup unbleached flour<br />several small slivers of orange peel (didn't use)<br />several springs of fresh thyme tied together (used 1/2 tsp dried)<br />1/2 tsp dried green peppercorns, crushed (used red)<br />1 lb fresh mushrooms<br />2 pounds medium boiling onions<br />sea salt and pepper<br /><br />Marinate beef in wine for several hours or overnight.<br />(I forgot about this and so mine only marinated for 2 hours. It still turned out well. And don't throw the wine away, you will use it later in the recipe! If I wouldn't have read the directions well, I would've done that probably.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9m-0QiPqoplK7MGTU_GqmIUOZo2m9bqjarTFQ37aUrTuHkI0JMbKCUSUr6TWpjYEYWlQ7BVaA6gaG776aBgo__UgVpTFSejjrrcosIM_nx0VtBwjmiwjd7N8ZFHFBGZp-xBcchg/s1600/IMG_2570.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9m-0QiPqoplK7MGTU_GqmIUOZo2m9bqjarTFQ37aUrTuHkI0JMbKCUSUr6TWpjYEYWlQ7BVaA6gaG776aBgo__UgVpTFSejjrrcosIM_nx0VtBwjmiwjd7N8ZFHFBGZp-xBcchg/s320/IMG_2570.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568168329885290946" /></a><br />Remove and dry well with paper towels. This is important. If beef is too wet it will not brown.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExItEaGezOBnRnisWYZ2TAA19Y8KDlX4fXnwzlQXRxt_Mv0Dte30DAFIgB0j034dOV7mms_BRCKZ9v62h3sXfmReNntlLRz0cR4aophcjqpSDVFdwO-zk6I2bv8vSMhEN41Whww/s1600/IMG_2571.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExItEaGezOBnRnisWYZ2TAA19Y8KDlX4fXnwzlQXRxt_Mv0Dte30DAFIgB0j034dOV7mms_BRCKZ9v62h3sXfmReNntlLRz0cR4aophcjqpSDVFdwO-zk6I2bv8vSMhEN41Whww/s320/IMG_2571.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568169190943163570" /></a><br />Melt 3 tbsp of each butter and oil in a heavy flameproof casserole. (Okay, I guess it might depend on the casserole pan, I used a dutch oven type, but that was way too much oil when I tried this and my meat didn't brown well. My advice would be to only use 3 tbsp of oil.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcFzSR6qyA4Mka8EsGAk7j62v_o7XuMpdp2kHP4i9d32KLZMAFsYI8-cuWTZFznBwKmq0xokNHCyG5_sSri2h05bTcrqWYax0VOZa7i77iAdRjZTnl1OwE6QAPHrDsw4G91c8Sg/s1600/IMG_2572.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcFzSR6qyA4Mka8EsGAk7j62v_o7XuMpdp2kHP4i9d32KLZMAFsYI8-cuWTZFznBwKmq0xokNHCyG5_sSri2h05bTcrqWYax0VOZa7i77iAdRjZTnl1OwE6QAPHrDsw4G91c8Sg/s320/IMG_2572.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568176339742580642" /></a><br />Brown the meat cubes in small batches, transferring with a slotted spoon to a plate when done.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc8D8TdiX_ORoxyzZCm8jEtob3USI4rY7Kwb9492hrahurWMDAo4HML1SinQyPcWeX2ka9JBBELtIZvg_R245iWT80K2tyV83K7-EC7KJtI6hGCpvB4jBGCmvwWH4XeKiqNYmTw/s1600/IMG_2573.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc8D8TdiX_ORoxyzZCm8jEtob3USI4rY7Kwb9492hrahurWMDAo4HML1SinQyPcWeX2ka9JBBELtIZvg_R245iWT80K2tyV83K7-EC7KJtI6hGCpvB4jBGCmvwWH4XeKiqNYmTw/s320/IMG_2573.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568181188133083954" /></a><br />When all are browned pour out cooking fat. Add remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the casserole, let it melt and add flour. Cook the flour in the butter, stirring constantly for several minutes. Add wine from the marinade and the stock.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOumzIjLSUqvOMpttk4yjuNawH_0bclNN7nlrK3kpHnAXMeZd60YePjp4tUNFG6Fk-p5AyzULynnnz70K5ViNDrAFlkun6yVjQl-CVcXhmeio35koRYUTP4Ajxk0Pmcqh3qOrcQ/s1600/IMG_2574.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOumzIjLSUqvOMpttk4yjuNawH_0bclNN7nlrK3kpHnAXMeZd60YePjp4tUNFG6Fk-p5AyzULynnnz70K5ViNDrAFlkun6yVjQl-CVcXhmeio35koRYUTP4Ajxk0Pmcqh3qOrcQ/s320/IMG_2574.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568182243445461602" /></a><br />Bring to a boil, stirring up scrapings from the bottom of the pan and blend well with a wire whisk. Return meat and juices that have accumulated in the plate. Add thyme, crushed peppercorns and orange peel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6jSUYQGtGGi_a_vmcDDmBHe-B_S7lN4HhFkFUcBO1PeE8vYCKkjIz3Smagh-fDLsSzYpBgw__UvW_L4OoqeysG_EERlCtVRhmi5Htlqn2SBeBrhPwjq2Q3Mj0QOEzljs3kSQ3A/s1600/IMG_2575.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6jSUYQGtGGi_a_vmcDDmBHe-B_S7lN4HhFkFUcBO1PeE8vYCKkjIz3Smagh-fDLsSzYpBgw__UvW_L4OoqeysG_EERlCtVRhmi5Htlqn2SBeBrhPwjq2Q3Mj0QOEzljs3kSQ3A/s320/IMG_2575.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568200087768662210" /></a><br />Transfer casserole to a 300-degree oven and cook 3 or 4 hours or until meat is tender. Meanwhile (as in 45 minutes before you're going to take the meat out of the oven), brown the mushrooms, either whole or sliced. Peel the onions (there were directions on the package of pearl onions I got, that made this step much quicker) and saute them gently in butter and oil for about 20 minutes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF7Wa9v6L1aXU85XiDwnjGjttyXOmeAIcgRwl1Gwontn7RKdudSJ-6NsVEnVLvRV36PITwe1ehP48uNhdEgRh9BPkCAFfdQsFy5cF2Nvf57dhz19xSd5A6Sb9qx8E6O-xJqtnqQ/s1600/IMG_2578.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF7Wa9v6L1aXU85XiDwnjGjttyXOmeAIcgRwl1Gwontn7RKdudSJ-6NsVEnVLvRV36PITwe1ehP48uNhdEgRh9BPkCAFfdQsFy5cF2Nvf57dhz19xSd5A6Sb9qx8E6O-xJqtnqQ/s320/IMG_2578.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568201538636043794" /></a><br />When meat is tender, remove from the oven. Season to taste.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmSO2aFrwjIsNIGYO6NKdp1Gp5vpqP8R-7_MhWC-TWbGy-xuCCUqYXTXsSNDpvdbxIVui_QdzqDlRGrk8a9dE22sJSayKasS2oGk0awyLSAzVFFI901VdQt0nv3yqXVuBkaetVQ/s1600/IMG_2579.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmSO2aFrwjIsNIGYO6NKdp1Gp5vpqP8R-7_MhWC-TWbGy-xuCCUqYXTXsSNDpvdbxIVui_QdzqDlRGrk8a9dE22sJSayKasS2oGk0awyLSAzVFFI901VdQt0nv3yqXVuBkaetVQ/s320/IMG_2579.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568202555828322114" /></a><br />Remove thyme (unless you are cheap like me and didn't want to buy fresh). Stir in onions and mushrooms and serve. (I also served it with cooked quinoa to add a little more substance.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHrF4WGLHZIEYf6cbQhyphenhyphenYyBmfzjf1My7bp7wsAVOC47pFxg6xWijfPSc378hP0JWfchzOOAldMhDskLd8sexh-vOdVYCZAe-iUIB8R8hwjK0smIGhJmB8I7UfGDL0TyNSkae6xw/s1600/IMG_2581.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHrF4WGLHZIEYf6cbQhyphenhyphenYyBmfzjf1My7bp7wsAVOC47pFxg6xWijfPSc378hP0JWfchzOOAldMhDskLd8sexh-vOdVYCZAe-iUIB8R8hwjK0smIGhJmB8I7UfGDL0TyNSkae6xw/s320/IMG_2581.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568203374756554514" /></a><br /><br />Overall it turned out great! It's a time consuming recipe, but delicious. In Luke, my taste tester's opinion :D it was, "Really good. Tell them I loved it. I really like the spicy-ness. And it tasted even better the next day as leftovers!" So mission accomplished! My husband liked it. And he never even knew until today that there was thyme in it (which he usually dislikes and points out right away even if I try to sneak it in, lol!). And I loved it too.<br /><br />Now it's your turn to try it.Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-27821346367416175212011-01-07T09:54:00.000-08:002011-01-07T11:50:59.503-08:00Fear is Dispelled<span style="font-weight:bold;">"For He Himself is our peace..."</span><br /><br />God has been my peace in the last few weeks, despite myself and my circumstances. Fear is something I continually struggle with and have to keep giving to God to heal me.<br /><br />In the past month I have dealt again with the presence of a rash on my hands and face. (For those of you who don't know last winter's story of my crazy skin issues, you'll have to ask me about it all some other time.) A couple weeks before Christmas it appeared again on my hands, not in full strength, but just enough to freak me out. I was so afraid that last years trial was going to be repeated again. After a few days of silent fearing, I exploded at my poor husband who was only trying to give me ideas of what might help. Luke had been giving me suggestions which he intended for me to at least try. After my yelling at him, he calmly said something along the lines of, "Dessa, I don't know if this is the full reason that God is having you deal with this, but I want to you to talk to God right now and see if He might be giving you this trial to force you to deal with any sin that might be in your life. Take a real close look." And he walked off, leaving me there to think and pray. And I did just that. I was humbled by what God showed me--a spirit of rebellion in my heart towards Luke's authority and leadership in our home. Ouch. I confessed that sin to the LORD and to Luke. Was I immediately healed? No...but God gave me the peace that I had been asking for all those days that had avoided me. God doesn't give us the peace we pray for when we are in sin, I've found. <br /><br />My rash slowly went away that week, to only come back a week later on both my hands and face, after spending time around a Christmas tree. What I now believe to be at least part of my problem is a pine tree oil allergy (based on a lot of what went on last year). But you know what?!! I didn't freak out! I had a complete and utter confidence in God! I was blessed by the peace that God can give. The rash is now gone again.<br /><br />God is healing me. He has healed me in the flesh (for now anyway), but most of all He is in the process of healing my soul and spirit from the affects of my sin. I pray that God would keep me close to Him, no matter what happens in the flesh. I pray that I wouldn't live in rebellious sin, but submit to the LORD and my husband.<br /><br />As Elizabeth George says in her book <span style="font-style:italic;">A Woman After God's Own Heart</span>, <blockquote>"Faith is the opposite of fear...It is by faith that you and I believe that God works in our lives directly through our husbands. It is by faith in our sovereign God that we trust that God knows our husbands' decisions and the end results of those decisions, and trusting that God redeems, if not guides, those decisions. And so it is by faith in God that our fear is dispelled and we gain the strength to submit."</blockquote>Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-87241157292776549582010-02-16T16:34:00.000-08:002010-02-16T16:41:31.253-08:00With GratitudeI haven't blogged in forever but lately I've felt the longing again, if nothing else, just to be able to look back in the months ahead and see how far I've come.<br />God's been teaching me a ton in the last two months. Trials tend to force growth on you. Either growth in bitterness or growth in God. And thankfully I've been turning toward Him. And I am thankful. He's given me so much peace when circumstances have been anything but. And although my skin is still messed up, I am not in pain and God has done so much healing already. I don't know when or if He'll completely heal me, but I am trying to trust His timing. <br />Praise the Lord today with gratitude for all He's done for you! I am!Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-60589660719414225562008-03-16T22:38:00.000-07:002008-03-16T23:54:28.005-07:00Simple Spiritual Equations<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></span> My chemistry homework lately has been a bit stressful...and I have been a bit stressed out. And all these facts and equations have been floating around aimlessly in my brain. Which is probably why when I was reading my Bible last night I noticed that there were simple spiritual equations in Isaiah 30:15 :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;">"This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:<br />'In repentance and rest is your salvation,<br />in quietness and trust is your strength.' "<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Repentance + Rest = Salvation</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Quietness + Trust = Strength</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div><br />So I thought about those equations and that verse for quite awhile. Mostly the first one because there were some questions I had concerning it. I understood the fact that repentance = salvation. We learn that when we come to Christ as our Savior. And we know that we need to continually have a heart of true repentance concerning our sins. But I wondered about the "rest" part. How does rest = salvation??? I looked up some verses that include the word "rest" in them. And I found many but the one that interested me the most, and I feel fit my question the best was actually in Joshua 21:44-45.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>"The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span> Do you see any connection there? I did (and I have reasons for it, although later it might be proven that I am also insane :). To me, it made the connection that when God provides rest for us, He does so in giving us the assurance that He keeps His promises. And in that hope, that assurance, is salvation. I know that I need to daily allow God to save me from myself--my fears, my doubts, my flesh, my sins. I need constant salvation from those enemies in my life. Yes, Christ's blood covered my sins once and for all with His death on the cross. But these enemies still come against me everyday. They still try to win a foothold in my heart and life.<br /><br />And in John 15:9 Jesus says:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"As the Father has loved me, so have I love you. Now remain in my love."<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"> And in John 14:23 Jesus says:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"> When we come and make our home with Christ, remain in Him, obey His commands and learn to rest in Him; that is when we gain victory and the salvation we need from our enemies.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">So...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Repentance + Rest = Salvation</span><br /></div><br />In the second equation we find the answer to receiving strength from God.<br />I thought that it was interesting that it mentions quietness as necessary for strength. Because our world today brings the idea that forcefulness and action is needed to have strength. But God says in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) that the meek will inherit the earth and in Isaiah (40:31) that those that wait on God will receive strength. Pretty conflicting ideas there...but God says that it is in our quietness of heart that we will find the strength we need from day to day.<br />A book I am reading by Elisabeth Elliot, called <span style="font-style: italic;">Keep A Quiet Heart,</span> ties this quietness in with trusting God over and over again. She reminds us that it is our distrust of God that causes our hearts to be unsettled and doubt. We say we trust God, but if our hearts and thoughts are questioning Him left and right; we really don't trust Him. When we learn to accept what God has in store for us, His plans for our lives; our hearts can settle down in the comfort of trusting Him. We can be calm and peaceful even when storms rage around us that we don't understand, knowing that He does understand.<br />That quietness of heart and trusting God is crucial to have peace and is what gives us strength. It makes us firm and unyielding to doubts, troubles, and trials that come our way. Instead of relying on our own strength, it leads us to rely on His.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">So...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Quietness + Trust = Strength<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Later on in Isaiah 30:18, we are given another reassurance and I want to end with that...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">he rises to show you compassion.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For the LORD is a God of justice.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Blessed are all who wait for him!"</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></div></div></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div>Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-11905507098102664932008-03-01T11:53:00.000-08:002008-03-01T12:53:59.086-08:00Like Susan...<div align="center"><em>With a jingling of mail the others climbed up behind her. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aslan</span> glided on before them and they walked after him.</em></div><div align="center"><em>"Lucy," said Susan in a very small voice.</em></div><div align="center"><em>"Yes?" said Lucy.</em></div><div align="center"><em>"I see him now. I'm sorry."</em></div><div align="center"><em>"That's all right."</em></div><div align="center"><em>"But I've been far worse than you know. I really believed it was him--he, I mean--yesterday. When he warned us not to go down to the fir wood. And I really believed it was him tonight, when you woke us up. I mean, deep down inside. Or I could have, if I'd let myself. But I just wanted to get out of the woods and--and--oh, I don't know. And what ever am I to say to him?"</em></div><div align="center"><em>"Perhaps you won't need to say much," suggested Lucy.</em></div><div align="center"><em>...</em></div><div align="center"><em>Then after an awful pause, the deep voice said, "Susan." Susan made no answer but the others thought she was crying. "You have listened to fears, child," said <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Aslan</span>. "Come, let me breathe on you. Forget them. Are you brave again?"</em></div><div align="center"><em>"A little, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Aslan</span>," said Susan.</em></div><div align="center"><em>(From</em> Prince Caspian<em> by C.S. Lewis)</em></div><em></em><br /><em></em><br />I thought I'd better update you all and tell you what's been going on with me in the past two weeks. If you read the past post you know that I'd been confused as to what I felt God wanted me to do.<br /><br />Did He want me to stay in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Wenatchee</span> or go to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Omak</span>?<br /><br />And quite honestly I felt that He would say, "Stay in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Wenatchee</span>. Trust me that I can provide money and a way for you." I felt that was how He could build the most trust, make me grow the most. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Psshh</span>. Shows you what I know!<br /><br />Cause that is not what He said. After much prayer, He told me to return to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Omak</span>. <br /><br />But me, being the human I am, questioned, "God? That can't possibly be the way you want me to walk. Right? Right God? I must not have heard You right." Oh, boy. I can be such a know-it-all. :) So guess what?!? To add to my stupidity, I decided to fight Him for control. So for almost a week I pushed aside that knowledge of what I should do and determined that could not be His will for me. Actually at the time I wrote that last post, I already knew the truth of what He wanted from me, but I was rebelling. And you all know the story of Jacob right? (Genesis 32) He wrestled with God. But he was left maimed. Well I wrestled with God, and thankfully I was not maimed for life, but I did get sick. Sick and very stressed out. And one night I cried for 3 hours straight. I was miserable. And I finally fell asleep crying, but in the morning when I woke up I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God really did want me to go back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Omak</span>. <br /><br />And I surrendered.<br /><br />And it was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Because I realized that I actually needed to trust God more in going back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Omak</span>. I had been so worried about what Katie would say and leaving her; about leaving the wonderful place we live in; about having a place to live if I came back here in the fall. "God!" I cried, "What if, what if, what if...and how are You going to work all this out?" <br /><br />Like Susan, I knew that I should believe He was there, beside me. But I can be so fearful. So self-righteous. And too smart for my own good.<br /><br />God, like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Aslan</span>, called me to His side. Gently He asked me to dwell in His presence, and there He was able to calm and reassure me that He really, truly is in complete control.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>God is in control. He really is people!!!!!</strong></span><br /><br />Cause guess what?<br /><br />When I told Katie, although she was sad; she understood. My fears about telling her were completely worthless. Praise God for such a great friend I have in Katie! <br /><br />When I called my old employer and asked if I could work there again, at first he said he didn't think I could. But days later he told me that they worked out a way. So I have my old job that I loved back, waiting for me! Praise God for His gifts! Praise God for Christian employers that love me!<br /><br />When I registered for classes in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Omak</span>, I was able to get into the exact ones I needed. Thank you Lord!<br /><br />You see, God reassured me that because it's His plan, it will work out. <br /><br />It will still be hard for me to leave my friends here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Wenatchee</span>. And I am still going to have to trust Him in the months ahead for more directions on what way He has planned for me. But our God truly has the best plans for us, not just good plans--the best plans. I know that this will just be another event, in the many of my life, that I will be able to look back on and see the fingerprints of God all over it and be encouraged that the next steps He has for me are the best. Because He loves us so much and He knows all things.<br /><br />I will not always be brave...rarely will I be brave actually. I am weak and cowardly. And I may think that I am smart and that I know what's best...but I am not really and I don't. God can see the events in my life that are ahead. I am sure I will fail to trust Him on countless occasions and you will probably read of them (again and again!) and get to say (along with me), "Gosh <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Dessa</span>. Don't you ever learn? By now you would think you would know that you can't outsmart, you can't out-plan our Lord!"<br /><br />But I want to encourage everyone that reads this that God does have everything under control in your life...if you let Him lead. The only way you can know God's way for your lives (the best way) is to be in a relationship with Him, one where He is the head of us. We have to draw near to Him and dwell at His feet to be able to hear what He has for us. And we have to live in utter surrender to His plans for us. Being committed to Him isn't enough...we have to be surrendered.<br /><br />And that is, my friends, what God has been doing in me lately. :D<br /><div align="left"> </div>Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-19492150192546804322008-02-16T00:40:00.000-08:002008-02-16T01:02:48.351-08:00Ages upon ages ago...<span style="font-size:85%;">I once wrote in this blog...<br />I had forgotten about it until I was reading Chris's blog...and then I read Sarahlynn's. And it made me miss this blog. Because it is sooooooo much better than myspace blogs. I will probably still do some on myspace but also write some on here. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">It is pretty late right now. But I can't sleep. I am just not sleepy. A perfect time to write.<br /><br />I have been stressed out lately. There are a lot of decisions to be made in my life, and they are fairly serious ones to.<br /><br />Like...<br />Should I stay here in Wenatchee and drain away my college fund OR return to Omak until the fall and still go to college there but save money?<br />And what should I do in the fall?<br /><br />Okay now that I write them down there aren't that many. But they are serious ones...ones that I need to come up with answers on fairly soon.<br /><br />And this would be easier if I felt like I could just go on common sense. But I really want God to be in these decisions. I want Him to show me His will in these choices. And I know from past experience that God doesn't always do what makes sense. He wants to grow us and mold us, and sometimes trying circumstances and problems are the means He uses in our lives. I want Him to grow me and mold me into His image also.<br /><br />So I have been praying a lot. And trying to trust Him. And most of all trying not to get stressed out over it.<br /><br />We'll see how it goes. And if anybody reads this and feels the desire to pray for me, I would much appreciate it. :)<br /><br /><br />--Dessa<br /></span></span>Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-1142641805662443332006-03-17T16:30:00.000-08:002006-03-17T16:30:05.713-08:00long time, no write<div style='background-color:'><DIV class=RTE>Sorry that it has been so long. Lack of Internet access explains it all. That and my life is like a real life soap opera. Crazy. Mainly my family and grandparents are the culprits. It is hard to explain the situation so I won't but if you could, if you would, be in prayer for us. It has been a very hurtful situation for all involved and there is no way that we know of that we can fix it. It will have to be all God.</DIV> <DIV class=RTE> </DIV> <DIV class=RTE>But in me it has brought up some very real anger issues that I wasn't aware of. And it brought up a lot of questions. And I have to admit they were directed at God. He should be able to fix everything right? So why doesn't He? I hate questions, but I am learning to trust Him and live without specific answers.</DIV> <DIV class=RTE> </DIV> <DIV class=RTE>Life is hard.</DIV> <DIV class=RTE> </DIV> <DIV class=RTE>Emmanuel. God is with us.</DIV> <DIV class=RTE> </DIV> <DIV class=RTE>Talk to you later.</DIV></div><br clear=all><hr> <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMBENUS/2731??PS=47575" target="_top">Save time by starting a search from any Web page with the MSN Search Toolbar-FREE!</a>Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-1138574601527073562006-01-29T14:14:00.000-08:002006-01-29T14:47:17.880-08:00I am romantic, no matter what that stupid survey saysI am. It is true. So I don't know why I only got a 43. But maybe their definition of romance is entirely different than mine. I mean they probably don't think that not dating anyone is romantic. I'd rather do without than date the wrong person. I'd rather long and dream of that day when I know that guy is the right one and he asks me to be his wife. I'd like to know that he is mine and only mine, because I will be that dedicated to him. So he'd better be the same way. I am very possessive, huh?<br /><br />Why am I talking about this? I really don't know.<br /><br />I haven't known much lately. Well... I have but I haven't. I have felt more secure than ever but without really knowing anything. Right now I don't know that I will be an architect. I don't know what college I will go to or even if I will go to one. I just don't know. I don't know what job I will have but I expect to have one soon, hopefully one that isn't too crappy. I don't know who my husband will be yet I am expecting that there is one out there somewhere for me. I don't know how my family will continue on considering some problems that have been happening financially and with some family relationships. I don't know if certain people I know will ever get it, ever wake up from their slumber; but I pray to God it will happen soon. I don't know if I will be alive tomorrow or the next day for that matter. But I know I will survive. Until I die, that is. And I know that God is all-reigning, all-loving towards me and my life. That because He loves me, He will give me what's best for me. That because He doesn't hate me, He won't torture me, but give me what is good and perfect for me.<br /><br />And isn't that hope in what God will do a type of romance? It seems like it to me. It's a romance that is so tangible in our lives; we know it's there, but we can't actually touch Him physically. I feel His touch, but I can't touch Him. I see His love in my life everyday, but I can't love Him like I could someone else. You see, I guess my love language is gifts. That's what Jessica told me. Because I have this thing about me, that when I love someone, one of the best ways I feel that I can show that is to bake desserts for them. It's something inherited I know because it's exactly what my Grandma does. Actually both of my grandma's did. I want to feed them. It's odd... I don't know how that really all clicks in my head, but... that is how my head works I guess. But I can't really bake God snickerdoodles and Him eat them. I doesn't work that well. But I will give Him something else. Something He wants from me. My life.<br /><br />And He loves me more than anyone else loves me or ever will. And I believe in that and I believe in my loving Him. Isn't that the greatest love story? Doesn't anyone who bases their life upon His love a true romantic? I think so. So there. I am a romantic.<br /><br />Really everyone is in some form. Everyone wants to be loved and to love. They just don't know what to do about it. They don't know their One True Love.<br /><br /><br />(P.S. Read The Sacred Romance by John Eldredge. It points out the eternal love story in it all.)Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-1138424054772318742006-01-27T20:41:00.000-08:002006-01-27T20:55:45.606-08:00Have you seen my life?My life hasn't been boring lately as my title may imply. But it has been odd. God has been showing me so many things that just blow my mind. And I have been changing a lot too. In odd ways.<br /><br />Example #1: I have vacuumed my room 3 times this week. Now I like to vacuum, it's true but I really never ever did it that much. It was like a once a month if I was feeling especially tidy thing. I have been dusting a lot too. And folding my clothes and just in general putting things away. Now those of you who have known me for awhile may be thinking, "Where is Dessa? What have the aliens done with her mind? Her personality is not neat! She is messy." I am sorry for shocking you all so. But my new navy blue carpet is so gorgeous when it has no white fuzz-balls on it.<br /><br />Example #2: I am not worrying nearly as much about people I love. I am still praying, but it kinda isn't my problem anymore? Not that it ever was, but I made it that way. If they decide to screw up their lives, it breaks my heart, but God can still reach them. No matter how far they go. And I can't do anything about it anyway. None of them even listen to me. So why blab on endlessly when it does no good. I just pray.<br /><br />Example #3: I am getting very close to closing that infamous gate. And completely opening my heart to God and His love. And becoming wholely devoted to Him. He is a much better "love of my life" than the other guy. And not only is that gate starting to stay closed, I really don't want any relationship with any guy right now. It is too much work. And I want to be closer to God. And not need a guy. They really are very unstable crutches to lean on at this age (and the same goes for girls at this age too, guys, we are especially unstable! LOL.)<br /><br />Example #4: I have been much more diligent in my school work. Yay!!!<br /><br />But see how weird I am getting? But it is a good weird. It is a peaceful weird. I think I like it. I think I will stay this way until God tells me to do otherwise.Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-1138422763949598582006-01-27T20:30:00.000-08:002006-01-27T20:33:30.943-08:00I am weird, obviously...<div align="center"><table style="BACKGROUND: #eeeeee; COLOR: black" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#eeeeee" border="0"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#eeeeee"><div align="center">Advanced Global Personality Test Results<br /><table cellspacing="4" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#eeeeee" border="0"><tbody><tr><td><table style="BACKGROUND: #dddddd; COLOR: black" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#eeeeee" border="0"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/extraversion.html" target="_blank">Extraversion</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">40%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/stability.html" target="_blank">Stability</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">66%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/orderliness.html" target="_blank">Orderliness</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">30%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/accommodation.html" target="_blank">Accommodation</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">50%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/interdependence.html" target="_blank">Interdependence</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">36%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/intellectual.html" target="_blank">Intellectual</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">50%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/mystical.html" target="_blank">Mystical</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">30%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/artistic.html" target="_blank">Artistic</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">43%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/religious.html" target="_blank">Religious</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">90%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/hedonism.html" target="_blank">Hedonism</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">10%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/materialism.html" target="_blank">Materialism</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">50%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/narcissism.html" target="_blank">Narcissism</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">36%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/adventurousness.html" target="_blank">Adventurousness</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">16%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/workethic.html" target="_blank">Work ethic</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">23%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/selfabsorbed.html" target="_blank">Self absorbed</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">50%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/conflictseeking.html" target="_blank">Conflict seeking</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">43%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/needtodominate.html" target="_blank">Need to dominate</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">36%</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><table style="BACKGROUND: #dddddd; COLOR: black" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#dddddd" border="0"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/romantic.html" target="_blank">Romantic</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">43%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/avoidant.html" target="_blank">Avoidant</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">70%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/antiauthority.html" target="_blank">Anti-authority</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">36%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/wealth.html" target="_blank">Wealth</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">10%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/dependency.html" target="_blank">Dependency</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">43%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/changeaverse.html" target="_blank">Change averse</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">63%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/cautiousness.html" target="_blank">Cautiousness</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">56%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/individuality.html" target="_blank">Individuality</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">23%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/sexuality.html" target="_blank">Sexuality</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">50%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/peterpancomplex.html" target="_blank">Peter pan complex</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">56%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/physicalsecurity.html" target="_blank">Physical security</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">56%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/physicalfitness.html" target="_blank">Physical Fitness</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">44%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/histrionic.html" target="_blank">Histrionic</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">36%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/paranoia.html" target="_blank">Paranoia</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">30%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/vanity.html" target="_blank">Vanity</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">50%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/hypersensitivity.html" target="_blank">Hypersensitivity</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">50%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://similarminds.com/types/femalecliche.html" target="_blank">Female cliche</a></td><td width="61"></td><td width="30">76%</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="<a">Take</a> Free Advanced Global Personality Test</a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="<a">personality</a> tests by similarminds.com</a></span> </div>Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-1137453941475570792006-01-16T15:16:00.000-08:002006-01-16T15:31:09.026-08:00Snug as a BugSorry I haven't wrote for so long. But why is a praise in itself.<br /><br />WE MOVED INTO OUR NEW HOUSE !!!!!!! So therefore we don't need to use my aunt and uncle's washer and dryer because we have our own. It's been so awesome to be able to do normal things without all the trouble. To have real showers, etc. The only bad thing has been not being able to blog nearly as much. Oh, well. But we moved in to at least sleep on Christmas Eve and have been slowly moving other stuff in as the weeks have passed. I absolutely love my bedroom. If I could I would put pictures but I doubt that will be happening any time soon.<br /><br />I hope all of you have been doing great in your lives too. Mine has been great despite the things I am learning. Some lessons just don't stick as well as they should. But God has been revealing new things about me to myself. And you know that gate that wouldn't stay closed? (see past articles, The Inept Gate Closer and The Gate that Won't Stay Closed) Well, it is doing much better and staying closed the majority of the time. Some days it still swings open, but one step at a time is all that can be expected. And Jessica has been back for the past few weeks which has been nice even though I haven't seen her nearly as much as I would like. She is so busy. Another "oh, well."<br /><br />I'll try to do better with writing.<br /><br />Read 1 Thessalonians 1. It has been an encouraging chapter for me lately. Especially verses 3-5.Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-1135025221333119162005-12-19T12:35:00.000-08:002005-12-19T12:51:22.403-08:00"Let Me Love Thee"No, I haven't been watching Jane Austen movies, although I would like to. It is a poem...<br /><br />So here it goes.<br /><br />"Let me love Thee, Thou are claiming<br />Every feeling of my soul;<br />Let me love, in power prevailing,<br />Render Thee my life, my all;<br />For life's burdens they are easy,<br />And life's sorrows lose their sting<br />If they're carried, Lord, to please Thee,<br />If they're done Thy smile to win.<br /><br />Let me love Thee--come revealing<br />All Thy love has done for me;<br />Help my doubt,so unbelieving<br />By the sight of Calvary;<br />Let me see Thy love despising<br />All the shame my sins have brought,<br />By Thy torment realizing<br />What a price my burden bought.<br /><br />Let me love Thee, love is mighty,<br />Swaying realms of deed and thought,<br />By which I shall walk uprightly<br />And shall serve Thee as I ought.<br />Love will soften every sorrow,<br />Love will lighten every care,<br />Love unquestioning will follow,<br />Love will triumph, love will bear.<br /><br />Let me love Thee, Savior,<br />Take my heart forever,<br />Nothing but Thy favour, Lord,<br />My soul can satisfy!"<br /><br />William Booth-ClibbornDessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-1134597107147398892005-12-14T13:21:00.000-08:002005-12-14T13:53:30.766-08:00Beauty ContestLife is full of up's and down's isn't it? (just a random question, that needs not be answered because I know the answer is yes)<br /><br />"Providence is the way God leads a man who will not be lead... there are no accidents with God."<br />--J. Vernon McGee<br /><br />Now I am reading in Esther. I finally finished Nehemiah, *sigh*, I wish there were more guys like him in this world. They have to be out there somewhere. But back to the subject... Esther.<br />She was a beauty. She won an extreme beauty contest. One for the position of queen. So she had to be gorgeous. She was a Jew so she did the whole thing without telling anyone who she really was.<br /><br />Can you imagine 12 months of beauty treatments? That is what she went through! I would go crazy. Maybe a week or two of pampering at the most is all I could stand. And I wouldn't like being paraded before a ton of people and picked apart for physical faults. One of the many reasons I am not a beauty queen, nor most likely will never be.<br /><br />Was her being in that pageant God's Will? Probably not. But God used it for His good and the good of His people. God still leads His people even if they are not in His Will. Isn't that amazing? My friends who aren't following Him is still being lead by God. But instead of them doing it willingly and following His will; He has to just work their circumstances and choices into something good. Lots of work for God. I know He likes it when we go willingly and aren't made to do something for Him.<br /><br />God is all-powerful. He works and has His hand in everything on this earth. And His will is ultimately accomplished. I find great comfort in that. So even if I screw up, He can turn it around. I still want to do it right, but if I fail, I am not doomed to a messed up life for the rest of my life. He can fix it. He can make it truly beautiful. Hay! He can make my life a beauty pageant of all He has worked in it! Encouraging thoughts.Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-1134155496092362412005-12-09T11:01:00.000-08:002005-12-09T11:11:55.966-08:00Meaningful Quotes"One individual life may be of priceless value to God's purposes, and yours may be that life."<br />--Oswald Chambers<br /><br />"Revival begins as an individual affair. There are those who have thought that Charles Finney was on the fringe of fanaticism. I used to think that too, but, after reading what he has said, I have changed my mind. He said that a revival is not a miracle, but the conditions for revival must be met. You can draw a circle, get inside that circle, and say, 'Lord, begin a revival in this circle,' and that is where it will have to be. After all, Elijah was a one-man revival. And there have been other men that have met these conditions."<br />--J. Vernon McGee<br /><br />"Satan's main strategy with God's people has always been to whisper, 'Don't call, don't ask, don't depend on God to do great things. You'll get along fine if you just rely on your own cleverness and energy.' The truth of the matter is that the Devil is not terribly frightened of our human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be damaged when we lift up our hearts to God."<br />--Jim Cymbala<br /><br />"Jesus is not just looking for compliant martyr candidates. He's looking for hearts that are passionately in love with Him. He's looking for the kind of obedience-to-the-death that's driven by our consuming worship and devotion to Him. A worship and devotion that are nurtured by seeing and hearing Him, and being amazed and awestruck by what we see and hear."<br />--Ryan DobsonDessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-1134068926348285252005-12-08T10:52:00.000-08:002005-12-08T11:15:33.346-08:00Crushed, Yet Not DestroyedThat is what I am. Especially last night.<br /><br />I had an interesting time. I felt very strongly I needed some alone time--me and God. So I obeyed and went to my little camper. I started reading a <a href="http://www.briomag.com/briomagazine/spiritualhealth/a0006485.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Brio magazine article</span> </a>and just started crying. But I was praising God at the same time. I was happy and sad at the same time. It is so hard to explain unless you've been there. And I remembered a verse that Dawn gave me earlier in the year when I was burdened and a little depressed, just like last night. Zephaniah 3:17. And I can't remember all of what it says, but the part that really spoke to me was, "He will quiet you with his love." And I cried out to Him, "Oh Lord I need to you to quiet me." Because my heart and my thoughts were so tangled and everything was screaming at me at the same time. I just wanted Him to shut them all up.<br /><br />He didn't completely. But He calmed me. Nothing went away magically, but He told me we could handle them. Me and Him. And He told me I wouldn't die from an overload of stress if I gave it all to Him. He wouldn't let me die; we'd make it through. He promised.<br /><br />So here I am, continuing on in the fight. As everyone must. Without Him life would be unbearable. But with Him we can march on and even find joy and happiness in it all.<br /><br />We can be crushed but not destroyed. Persecuted, yet not abandoned. And whatever else 2 Corinthians 4 says. We can and will make it.Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16510651.post-1133378530361364332005-11-30T10:38:00.000-08:002005-11-30T11:22:38.780-08:00One-Girl RevivalI've been reading Nehemiah, my favorite book in the Bible, actually. And I've been reading along with it J. Vernon McGee's commentary which always sheds some light on things I just don't get.<br /><br />And Nehemiah 9 is an extremely convicting chapter for me because it speaks of revival in the Israelites after they were finished building the wall of Jerusalem. To get there they first separated themselves from foreigners and those who were not Israelites. Which was actually a pretty big feat at that time because they had intermarried with other peoples. So quite a few of them probably had to separate themselves from their husband or wife. But they separated themselves which stands for making yourself separate from sins and stumbling blocks.<br />Then they confessed. And it says that they spent a fourth of the day confessing and crying out to God. That's 6 hours, people. A long time. They confessed their sins and the sins of their fathers. McGee says that although they were in a large group confessing their sins, he does not believe that they were confessing them to each other. They were confessing them to God, which is most important.<br />Next they spent another 4th of the day worshiping God and praising Him that although they had sinned as a nation over and over again, He was still faithful to His promises and took them back every time they repented.<br /><br />And we need to do the same things as Christians if we really want to have a sincere testimony for Christ. If we want to have a powerful impact on our world. Because although it is Christ who ultimately works in other's hearts; we are the tools He uses to accomplish it. And if we are messed up He's not going to be able to use us. He'll find someone else.<br /><br />We need to separate ourselves from the world. Not to become hermit (which is some days, oh so appealing to me), but to not be part of them, participating in their sins. Christians are just as bad as non-Christian these days. We have the same pregancy rates, the same drug rates, and most of the time you can only tell a Christian from a non-Christian if they are wearing a cross or a shirt pronouncing them to be so. We shouldn't need a shirt!!! They should be able to tell us apart without it!<br />I'm not saying I am any better but we need to get this right. It is a life and death thing. Our complacency is costing some person out there the light they need shone into their life. And without it they will go to hell. I face this conviction everyday when I screw up in front of my dad. He doesn't know Christ as his Savior. And my testimony could be what shows him the truth. Or it could be what shows him that Christianity isn't worth it. Isn't any better than anything else. It's a real truth that we need to wake up to. What we do, how we act, is a serious thing. And as Christians, our life is not our own.<br /><br />We need to face up to our sins and repent. In the old days they put on rags and ashes to show that they were sincere in repenting. It was a symbol of the state of their heart. We need to be cut deep by our sins. We need to be sorry, and not just sorry when we are caught by someone else. God can only use us if we are broken with the state we are in. He can only mold the soft clay. He can only put us back together in the correct way if we allow Him to. We have to see ourselves for what we truly are. Sinners, who continue daily to sin, but are only saved because of our great Savior's mercy and grace. That love, mercy and grace, shown by His blood and life shed on the cross is the only thing that separated us from eternity in hell. That is all. He gives it to us freely. We accept it, yet continue in our sinful ways. We need to repent again. Our heart need to be soft and aware of when we sin. Somewhere in one of the Timothys it says that their (the world's) consciences are seared with a hot iron, no longer able to distinguish right from wrong. Our conscience should not be that way. They should be pricked with every sin.<br /><br />And we need to worship God. Which sounds like the easiest until I realize what that truly means. We need to praise Him in everything. It is so easy for me to be un-thankful in my daily life. To complain and whine. Counting your blessings in everything is a difficult thing a lot of the time. And our lives need to reflect and worship God which goes back to what I said in the beginning. Our lives and everday living are the best way to worship Him. It is not just singing and listening to music which is a wonderful but small way of giving Him glory. Our lives, I think anyway, do it best (or worst, depending on what you are doing). He probably, in all honesty, finds more glory in our obeying our parents in taking out the garbage then He does in us playing a lovely song for Him.<br /><br />All this is so hard to do. But is also important. But most things are hard that are worth fighting for. And our testimony, our life in Christ, is worth fighting for.<br /><br />One reason that J. Vernon McGee said it was a personal confession of sin, is that it has to start with us. A one-man (or girl) revival. It begins with me. What I do. Not with what you do. I pray so much for revival. But last night when I was reading Nehemiah 9, I realized that it begins with me. My life is what I am responsible for. My life could be the start for revival within the Body of Christ to spread. It should be me.<br /><br />And it could be you, where you live, that starts the flame of revial there, wherever you are. It should be you. Because He asks us each personally to leave all we have (our dreams, our sins, our shame, our plans) and follow Him.<br /><br />When we do this the fire will spread. All fires do. And my fire will meet with your fire. All the fires will start new ones. And that is how revival will become reality in our world.Dessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703792198109601123noreply@blogger.com1