Snacks for Quick Energy (repost)

Rasins and Nuts a great Snack
courtesy photobucket.com

 Fresh fruit is wonderful for a snack, but do you always have it available at all times? 

If you are a working person on the job, or a student at school, you may find fresh fruit difficult to carry with you. 

When I was a teen age girl, there were times during the month, when I felt extremely weak and so very tired. 

 

Many times I was almost in a faint. 

I am a fair skinned person, and my complexion was always pale after a very debilitating health problem when I was about 12. 

 

Too many silver fillings caused my liver to rebel and my skin turned brilliant yellow.  After about a month, I was better and able to return to school but continued to be weak.

My mother decided that she would wrap up a handful of raisins and add them to my sack lunch.  Usually I saved the raisins until mid afternoon just before my long walk home.  That snack was what saved many a day, and the infusion of iron gave me added strength.

Later in life, we met a woman who kept a supply of almonds on hand.  Each day she would snack on a handful of these delicious nuts.  She counted out nineteen almonds.

If you have school age children, you may want to consider purchasing the small mini snack zip lock bags. They are just large enough to contain a handful of almonds and raisins, so your child can easily carry it in their purse or back pack. 

 

In the late afternoon they can retrieve their precious snack and enjoy a quick fix of energy. 

Your child will especially need this snack if they have after school sports or other after school activities. 

As Christians, there are times when our faith seems to wobble and be weak.  Perhaps it is time for a quick snack on the Word of God.

Carrying around a big Bible may not be the thing you want to do, but you can carry small index cards with your favorite scripture verses printed on them.  Here are a few good ones!

Always practice Gratitude:  Psalms 100:4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Feeling afraid, worried, or depressed?  Take a look at:  2Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Are you anxious?  Hebrews 13:5  Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s  Food on Fridays  

Do visit her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

Children’s Books?

This post has been shared With Ramona at: Create With Joy

The theme is Children’s Books

Children's Books
courtesy Photobucket.com

 

During the depression era, books were a luxury, and our family did not even own a picture book.   

 

My husband says the same thing, that out on the farm, food was most important, and shoes and clothes came next. 

 

He cannot remember ever owning a book until he was in school and could purchase those "Big Little Books," for a dime.

I can remember my mother playing patty cake with me, and singing lullabies, such as rock a bye baby in the tree tops, and the wind blowing the cradle falling down as she would pretend to catch me. 

As I advanced and was placed in Sunday school, there were pretty pictures about the Bible story on a large roll, and we were given a small card with the same picture on it to take home. 

My first introduction to books was the school readers, which we were not allowed to take home.  My wise first grade teacher could see my fascination with books, and she gave me the job of alphabetically shelving the books by author.

As I learned to read, mother would walk us to the local library and we were permitted to take home five books.  Most of them were “How to do crafts” and such to keep us occupied.

Each evening mother would line up the three of us, and she would read the funny papers, and a continued story about Uncle Wiggly, a white rabbit. 

Still we did not own a book.

I can remember my mother using small “free” recipe books from Crisco and Spry that we used inorder to learn how to make cookies and baked goods.  Her other recipes were hand written handed down from her mother.

My cousin Walton brought us children some comic books that he had finished reading, and from those we traded with children in our neighborhood for other comic book stories.

At age 12 my mother gave me a Bible for learning all the books of the Bible. As far as I can remember that was my first real book. 

It was not necessary to purchase books, because the school and our local library had all the books we needed.

When our first child came along, at my baby shower, one of the gifts was a large picture book with many of the farm animals in it.  Our son loved to look at that book and say the names of each animal.  That book was a well worn treasure.

The small Golden books were inexpensive and I did purchase some of them for our children. 

Today I try to purchase books written by my friends, and am having a problem finding time to read some of them. 

There are so many interesting stories on the internet that these often take first place.

Find some awesome posts Shared with Nantawa Bennett at Happy Friday 

What Are Your Weaknesses?

Weak or Strong?
courtesy photobucket.com

 

At my daughter Judie’s suggestion, I joined a class of, “Seniors,” who were looking for work.

My previous work experience for many years had been working for my husband.  It had been awhile since I needed to write a resume, or appear for a job interview.

Our teacher taught us to find descriptive words about our work ethic that we could claim as true, such as “dependable, trustworthy, team player, follow instructions,” and such.

She suggested we include some of these strong words in our resume.  She had us watch a movie on an interview to give us an idea what we were in for.

Another thing she did for us was to give us a clue as to “hard questions,” we might be asked on an interview.  Here are a few that we might expect - - -

What do you plan to be doing in five years?

Why should we hire you and not someone else?

What are your strengths? 

What are your weaknesses?

While we were enjoying the class our teacher brought in a guest speaker from the local hospital.  She explained there are over 200 jobs in a hospital besides being a Doctor or a Nurse.  She listed several of the available jobs, and it caught my attention big time.

I applied for the offered “Health Class,” that required me to show up for an interview just like applying for a job.

Yes, they asked many of the “hard questions, and”My answers were,

In five years I plan to be working in the Health Field in this county.

You should accept me because I am dependable and follow directions. 

My strengths are that I am a fast learner and I am a team player.

Next came the question I had been fearing, “And what is your weakness?

I looked the interviewer in the eye and spoke up boldly.

 

“My weakness is chocolate.” 

 

She laughed, and said, “Mine is chocolate too.” 

That clinched the interview and I was accepted.

 

Sharing this story with Rosilind in Croatia, at

Wednesday R & R

Click HERE to enjoy more uplifting Blogs via the T.G.I.F Link up Party at Bible Love Notes  

 

MY WEAKNESS

This post has been shared at the One Word Carnival.  The word is WEAKNESS

MariAnna is hosting the carnival this week. 

 

Award Image courtesy
photobucket.com

Bargains, discount price and the word FREE light up my life.  Therein lays my weakness. 

Many years ago, I received in the mail a letter that promised an easy way to make me a millionaire.  YES !!

All I had to do was send a dollar to the top name on the list along with a recipe, remove the top name and move the other two names up and place my name on the bottom. 

 

Then make 100 copies and send them off to friends and family, or purchase a mail list here.

I purchased the mail list and did as I was asked to do.  Soon I began to receive dollar bills in the mail.  Oh what fun?  My weakness increased - - more - - more!

Also in with some of the dollars there were other offers similar to the recipe letter. 

 

Soon I created my own mail list of people who were gullible like me and would go for these "Get rich schemes." 

Just like blogging, it took awhile, but soon I had a following. 

 

The offers were no longer one dollar but became much larger investments, and more expensive products in multi-level.  I wasn’t making money, but someone was!!

Diligently I worked for several years hoping to catch the golden ring, 

Yes, I probably made a few dollars, but honestly, my expenses in postage and unwanted products outweighed my profits.

It was my weakness to believe what looked like a sure thing.

I discovered much later that I had been scammed.  I had been lied to by the experts!!

When I finally came to my senses, I made myself a vow to never again become involved in any thing that looked or smelled like a chain letter, party plan or multi-level. 

Not even a “Special Blogger Award Button,” that requested me to do a list of things.

Today I choose NOT to accept the beautiful award buttons that have been offered to me by many of my blogger friends. 

The reason is because the button asks me to share seven or eleven things about myself, and to pass on the lovely award to seven or eleven other bloggers requesting them to do likewise in a chain effect.

 
Perhaps I have left some sweet ladies with hurt feelings when I try to be polite as I refuse their “gift.”  I hope no one has ever been offended by my decision.

I trust they will understand that this is a personal thing with me, and I refuse to feed my weakness in this manner. 

 

Instead I will use my weakness to go bargain shopping on E-Bay!!  (Smile)

This post is shared at: Tell Me a Story

Also linked with Jen at:  Soli Deo Gloria

Not Up - - But Out

Ascention
courtesy photobucket.com

Pastor Jerry ministered, on Ascension Sunday, regarding 40 days prior to Jesus returning to His Father. 

 

The number 40 was important to the Jewish people. 40 days Moses was on the mountain.  They wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  Jesus showed himself alive for a period of 40 days.

John 17:20-26 Jesus prayed not just for his followers, but for those who would believe by receiving their word.  His prayer included you and me.

For days, Jesus had been preparing his disciples about his death and resurrection, and they still did not understand.  When Jesus was crucified, they almost gave UP.  But they were not counted OUT.  There were still options open to them. 

In three days, their fears were relieved as they realized that Jesus was truly alive. 

Luke 24: 44-53 Jesus began to show his followers, prophesies from the scriptures about his death and resurrection, and to open their understanding.

He wanted them to know there was no need to give UP, but He would make a way OUT.

For many days after his resurrection, and prior to His ascension, Jesus opened up the Old Testament scriptures and explained how He had fulfilled many of them. 

 

On the day of Pentecost Peter would explain even more of the Old Testament prophesies regarding the Holy Spirit.

There was more that would be available to them, and that was power to be witnesses and to be able to move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

Tarry in Jerusalem until the Holy Ghost ascends upon you, were Jesus final words. 

WAIT for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that would endue them with an anointing to go OUT and preach the Gospel.

Jesus was going UP in a cloud and they were not at this time going up with Him.  Prior to his death, he had given them a declaration to preach, teach, heal and do miracles, but there was spiritually more. 

They were to wait until the power fell, and that is what they did. 

Returning to Jerusalem, they rejoiced in all they had seen and heard and were continually in the temple praising God and waiting.

Today we may have been hit with doubts, fears, questions, but we are not giving UP. 

 

We are not DOWN for the count.  There is always an option for us and God by His Holy Spirit will direct our path toward the proper choice.  We are sent to carry OUT his gospel of good news.

Perhaps we need to find a quiet place and WAIT for the refreshing of the precious Holy Spirit to renew and refill our parched spirit.

This post is Linked with Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday

 

 

Mothers Were Created by God Repost Mothers Day 2013

A Loving Mother's Heart
courtesy free clip art

Mothers Were Created by God

Soon I will be sending a wee one to another world,

Who will watch over and care for this tiny life?

Who will teach this one to learn and to love?

To instruct in kindness, not in hate and strife!

Who will feed and clothe this child?

Who will kiss away the tears when they fall?

Where will I find such a one, a paradigm?

Who will be there when they weep and call?

 

Searching high and low, no one could be found,

Where is one I can trust? – is there no other?

The answer is simple and plain to see,

I will give this child a loving mother!

Then there are other lives, so tiny and some not,

I will search until a home I find - - -

Where shall I place these forgotten babes?

There must be a mother’s heart longing to be kind!

 

I sought and found some who were barren,

Yet they desired a child to love and hold,

Yes, I will consign this adopted one

Into the safe arms of this “mother” to enfold!

 

Where else may I place a child who needs an abode?

Not all children born into families do fare,

Because of the many realities of life,

Existence is complicated and difficult to bear!

 

The saying “Life happens,” is true and often - -

Reasons beyond belief send many to despair,

I have found an answer for this child,

In a “good” Foster Home, they will find solace there.

 

What I seek is a Mother’s heart,

For those who are not a mother in kind, can be,

For according to My word,

The need is great for “Mothers in Israel” you see!

 by Hazel Moon 05/08/2011
Reach out and love a child with kindness and encouragement!

This post is linked with Laura’s Faith Filled Friday

Also is shared with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

 

 

 

Carries Hash Browns

This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s   Food on Fridays     Do visit her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

Carries Hash Browns

 

Sometimes you run across a sale item and go for it.  In this case it was frozen Hash Browns and you can fix them according to the package or try this delightful Mother’s day treat baked in the oven.

The recipe is from Carrie and you can view her story

here --  Carries Hash Browns  

Cheesy Hash Browns 
Adapted from one of the Disney Cookbooks
1 two pound Bag Frozen Shredded Hash Browns
1/4 c. Red Onion
1 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 c. Fat Free Half & Half
1 c. Reduced Fat Sour Cream
1/2 c. Asiago Cheese, shredded  (or Jack or Swiss)
1 1/2 c. Reduced Fat Cheddar Jack Cheese, shredded
1 tsp. Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp. Fresh Ground Black Pepper

In a small sauté pan, heat oil and cook onions until they become translucent. In a bowl, mix together the hash browns, cooked onions, half & half, sour cream, Asiago cheese, 1 cup of the Cheddar Jack cheese, salt and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well blended, then place in a 9" x 13" oven safe baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Cheddar Jack cheese on top. Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Serves 9.

The Bewitching Hour

This post is shared at  Friendship Friday with Joy  The theme is Television.  In this case, Television Saved the Day .

Mother and Baby
courtesy free clip art

Every night at 3:00 in the morning, my youngest child, just a baby would wake up crying.

Jumping up quickly so as not to disturb my husband and the other children; I would rush to her crib and check on her. 

Nothing seemed to be wrong, so cuddling her for a moment and returning her to the crib, I would then go back to bed.

This continued night after night, and it was wearing me out, let alone disturbing my husbands rest.

It seemed strange that this was happening at about the same time each night. 

I wondered if she was being pinched by the devil or one of his imps to make her cry out at this odd hour.

One day a plausible reason came to me as the Television was turned on to a family channel, and Dr Spock was speaking. 

 

Now I was not a follower of the good Doctor, but he was addressing a subject that was dear to my heart. 

 

“What to do when a child awakes continually each night and cries.”

He explained that the mother might have recently left the child for perhaps even a good reason; such as going to work and leaving the child with a sitter. 

During the night the child remembers that the last time they cried, mommy came and comforted them, so they subconsciously decide to call again for her soothing touch.

This began to make sense to me and I could understand because, sometime back I had gone to work for exactly one week.  It was soon after that the nightly crying began.

“The cure is simple,” Doctor Spoke continued. “When your baby cries, do not rush in to their room.  Instead wait, even if it is for five minutes and allow the child to cry. 

It won’t be long," he assured us mothers.  “Then quietly go into the child’s room, and check to make sure the blankets are in place and then return to your own bed.”

That very night, I had to fight the urge to run to my crying child, but instead I lay in my bed and waited. 

She only cried for a bit, and when the crying ceased, I then got up and checked to make sure she was covered up.  That was the end of the nightly crying. 

“Thank you Dr. Spock.”

As Christians, are you ever wakened in the middle of the night by cries of lost sinners needing the loving arms of Jesus. 

Just begin to pray that God will send those to work in the fields for they are ripe unto harvest. 

It might be an emergency situation for a loved one.  

Yes, go ahead and pray as the Holy spirit leads you, because it is then that you are praying according to God’s will. 

 

God will send the angels to rescue those needing his touch, even in the middle of the night.

This post is linked with Jennifer Dukes Lee at: Tell His Story

Also shared with Tracy at Winsome Wednesday

Shared with Liz and Gail at T.G.I.F.

And With Nantawa Bennett at Happy Friday

LEFT ALONE

Alone - courtesy photobucket.com

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

As I gleaned from Pastor Jerry’s sermon, he was relating that the roots of the saying “Peace be with you,” go back when Jesus spoke to John and his disciples, because their hearts were troubled.  This was not simply a casual friendly saying.

The early Christians greeted one another with a kiss on the cheek, and it was passed on to each member present.  If some of the members were annoyed with one another; the kiss stopped and would not be passed on.  The leader would step forward and resolve the matter so the two were reconciled and the kiss could be given and worship could resume.

Peace must replace anger and fear so that peace may remain.

Jesus spoke of things the followers did not then understand, how he must leave, but he would not leave them comfortless.  They wondered where Jesus was going without them.

At the Lords supper, Jesus gave them words of comfort, and yet strange words, “This is my body and my blood, and as oft as you do eat and drink, you shall remember my death and burial until I return again.

To have peace it is often easier said than done, because we are human. We tend to worry! We worry about our family, our children, our finances, our health, and our church.

There is so much unrest and violence in our world that causes us to be upset.  Hostility between family members, between neighbors, and between Nations gives us distress.

The death of Jesus was a result of betrayal and denial.  What kind of peace is this?

Jesus said, I am leaving, but I give you peace that passes understanding.  Lo I am with you always, and I will never leave or forsake you.  You are not alone.

Paul said, “What ever situation I find myself in, I am content.”  His peace was within.

We do not receive peace from a kiss a hug or a handshake, but from knowing that we can have that inward strength and peace in our spirit. 

When others are suffering and grieving, we often casually say, “Peace be with you,” but they need more than a careless word. 

 

Tokens of friendship include being there, hugs, shedding tears, listening, and perhaps bringing food.

We lose loved ones, but they are not gone.  In a real sense, their presence is still with us.

The presence of Jesus is with us as he promised. 

 

We are not alone.  His peace is with us.

Regardless of the situation, the Presence of God and His peace is with us at all times.

This post is shared with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

 

Are Movies Sinful?

FIND OUT WHAT PLEASES THE LORD !!

Find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. -Ephesians 5:10-11  image courtesy photobucket.com

 

Are Movies Sinful?

The church I attended as a child taught us that movies were a sin.  My mother told me that those who watched the movies wanted to dress and act just like the movie stars.

Many of the movie stars were (and are) sinful in their personal lives, let along what they portrayed on the screen.  They smoked, drank beer and liquor, painted their faces, and ran after other lovers instead of being faithful to their spouses, all of which we frowned upon! 

I saw my first movie at about ten years old when my girl friend treated me to the Saterday show.  Bambi was playing, and there also was a news reel and a second feature.  Bambi was sad, and I never went back. 

Today movies come right in our homes through the TV, and we need to be selective as to what we watch. 

Thankfully there are many good programs for children on TV that are educational and informative. 

 

Children seem to realize that cartoons are not real, but we decided to forbid our children to watch the “Three Stooges,” because the real stooges on the TV screen would hit one another and our children began to do likewise.

Over time, there have been many changes in this world, and some things that once were sin, are now accepted as okay. 

 

Other life styles once considered sinful are now termed politically correct. 

 

Movies and TV series portray adultery, fornication, and same sex affairs as acceptable??  


Some question if God may eventually need to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!!

Honestly my husband and I enjoy a good plot of a story, and many of the TV series are fun to watch.  We also like detective stories, and the old classic movies and the Western stories seem to be a good view.  

 

My husband loves to watch cooking shows and the auto races plus the ball games.

The language in many modern movies has become so terrible that my husband purchased a TV Guardian that blanks out the cursing and other offensive words. 

As I think about it, I wonder if God has a video player that views us as we go about our daily tasks.  I do hope his DVD about us is at lest G rated. 

I believe the G stands for God rated! 

This post has been linked to Michelle’s Thought Provoking Thursday

This post is shared with Ramona atFriendship Friday The theme is “MOVIES.”
If you enjoy a  good clean fictional continued story; you might like to sign up to follow my husband Robert’s stories by E-mail.   CLICK HERE for his home page.