Live Each Day of Your Life

June 25, 2021June 24, 2021 RefreshHer20 Comments

One year I made a greeting card for my son-in-law’s birthday and wrote on the inside,

“May you live every day of your life.”

Some folks just don’t know how to do that. Do you? It simply means to get the most out of every day – to enjoy the moment! Do you know how to do that or do you merely slug your way through each week and each month of the year? Do you know how to seize the moment? My husband is so good at this and he helps make our days so enjoyable because of it!

If you’re not following what I’m talking about, here are a few examples ~

Take a nap when a rainstorm brews up
Stop for ice cream when you’re on your way home from church
Enjoy a free outdoor concert on Friday night instead of staying home to watch television
Make a run to get french fries – even though it’s after 10:00 pm!

A good way to give you some ideas for living every day is to look at what the National Days are and take your cue from them. This Thursday is July the 1st. Listed below are some National Days for the month of July:

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July 1 – National Creative Ice cream Flavors Day – You could whip up a batch of homemade ice cream and try a new flavor!

July 4 – Of course we know it’s Independence day but it’s also National Barbecue Ribs day! Don’t grill hamburgers!

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July 6 – National Fried Chicken Day – Go out for your favorite version of fried chicken!

July 10 – National Kitten Day – If you’ve thought of adopting a kitten, today would be the day to jump on that! Or you could visit a pet store or just buy a special toy for your cat!

July 15 – National Cow Appreciation Day – You could:

Make chocolate milk for your children
Take them to Chick-Fil-A where cute cows pictures are everywhere!
Cook hamburgers or steaks out on the grill

July 17 – National Peach Ice Cream Day – You could:

Make your own homemade ice cream
Stop in and order your favorite flavors at an ice cream shop
Buy a half gallon and a box of cones at the grocery store and invite friends over

July 22 – National Hammock Day – Dig out the hammock and set it up in a shady spot!

My twin sister and her granddaughter know how to enjoy the hammock random style!

July 24th – National Tell an Old Joke Day – You could:

Take your children to the library and let them check out joke books. Let everyone find one to share at suppertime

July 24th is also – National Amelia Earhart Day – Why not go to the airport and watch planes take off and land?

July 29th – National Lasagna Day

July 30th – National Cheesecake Day

July 31st – National Father-in-law Day – Do something special for your father-in-law today! If nothing else, just give him a call and tell him you appreciate him!

So, go ahead and live today, Friend! The Lord gave you this day. Honor Him in all you do, and enjoy the day He made. The greatest joys are eternal ones, found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Without Him all of life is simply vain. When we know Him we have fellowship with our Savior, times in His Word and prayer, Scripture memory, and fellowship with believers, to name just a few of the eternal joys!

I’m looking into creating a holiday of my own – National Comment on a Blog Day. It’s today! So why not stop in and say hello and tell me you were here! It might not make your day special, but it will sure be a blessing to mine! =)

Thanks for taking time to read! I do appreciate you so!

I hope you’re making plans to be refreshed in your local church this Sunday. As my husband told someone this week, “You can’t practice all the One another’s if you’re not with one another!'”

Live today!

The Wrong Way To Serve

June 23, 2021June 21, 2021 RefreshHer4 Comments

ATTITUDE. Ever have one? You know what I mean. It’s that annoyed reflection of something in your heart. Someone pushed the wrong buttons, pushed you once too many times, or pushed you harder than you cared to be pushed and then – the attitude happens. It’s not pretty.

I know of which I speak because I can be the Queen of Attitude at times. I hate to admit it, but if I’m honest I have to tell you it’s true. I had one just this week, and guess what it was over? Ministry! I got tired of carrying other people’s loads, of doing “more than my share” (who decides how much is more than my share?), and being pushed to the limit. Oooo – that button got pushed and out the attitude came. The good thing was that the Lord convicted me and after a time of stewing, I made it right. However, the Lord wasn’t done teaching me the lesson He wanted me to learn.

Yesterday in my devotions, I was working on memorizing the last two verses in Philippians 2. The background of these verses is that Paul had sent a man by the name of Epaphroditis to the Philippians and Epaphroditis became sick to the point of death. Why was he so sick? Verses 29-30 tell us:

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Epaphroditis was taking up the slack of the Philippians; doing what they hadn’t done and became so sick while ministering that he almost died!

Paul says in verse 29 to “hold such in reputation.” Hold a man like this in high regard. At that moment in my quiet time the Lord brought the truth to my heart that this was a man who worked and ministered so much that he was at death’s door! My work took me nowhere close to that kind of sacrifice! I see no sign of an attitude in Epaphroditis here either! It says that he was full of heaviness because they learned he had been sick. He was probably the kind of man who tried to cover his weakness, work through whatever pain he might have been experiencing because there was a cause here – the love of Christ- and that constrained him to keep on.

I was very convicted by this man’s life, and repented of my sin and my attitude. There is a balance to strike, and I asked the Lord in my quiet time to help me hit that balance – work, rest, respite. It’s necessary so that we don’t burn out.

As you serve in any capacity, whether it’s full-time or as a layman in the church, guard your heart against the “A” word. Let’s make sure we’re serving the Lord with a sweet spirit; the kind in which the Lord would “hold us in reputation” like Epaphroditis. His work was “the work of Christ.” Too often my work is “the work of Denise” done with an attitude and won’t be rewarded in eternity. “Oh, Lord, may my ministry be Your work, done in Your strength, and done for your glory!” Ahhh, there’s the right attitude!

Anyone aside from me need this reminder today?

Side dish

Green Beans with Caramelized Onions

June 21, 2021June 20, 2021 RefreshHer7 Comments

I am a Southern green bean girl! That means I like my green beans cooked through so they’re soft with a little of the fat hugging each bean, meaning there’s great flavor with each bite!

When I saw a recipe on Weight Watchers for green beans, I was a little skeptical, but thought it was worth a try. The result? A.Maz.Ing side dish!! The caramelized onions give this dish tremendous flavor! I did cook my green beans a little longer than the recipe says, because I didn’t want them to be crispy-tender – I wanted them cooked through. You can choose your cooking time to suit your liking, of course!

But whatever you do, you need to give these a try! You’ll feel like you pulled out one of your “special event” recipes! We’ve had them several times since I discovered them, and I truly think I could eat them every week and not mind it all!

Green Beans with Caramelized Onions

1 tsp Olive oil

1 Tbl. Sugar

16 oz. Frozen pearl onion(s)

16 oz, or whole green beans Frozen cut green beans

2 Tbsp, fresh, chopped Dill

1/2 tsp able salt

1/4 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

Heat oil and sugar together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until tender and golden brown, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes.
Add green beans and cook until crisp-tender, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in dill, salt and pepper. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

These are only 1 point on all WW plans! By the way, I’d encourage you, if you’re seeking to lose some weight, check Weight Watchers out! They offer free starts all the time. It’s such a great plan to follow because it’s a change of eating that becomes a habit and way of life. You eat normal foods and can eat all the good things! It’s been one year now since my husband and I started the plan and we have maintained our weight, even with some indulgences for special celebrations! I get no kick-back – I just want to help you! You can join for as little as just under $4 a month!

I’m curious – are you a Southern green bean girl, too? Or do you like the beans just warmed up a little?

communication · God's Love · Prayer

My Father’s Voice

June 16, 2021June 15, 2021 RefreshHer2 Comments

The radio podcast on my phone was interrupted by an incoming call. I looked down to see the word, “Dad.” I was delighted to see that it was my father who was calling. I always enjoy getting to talk to my dad, but the increase joy in hearing from him was due to being concerned (okay, I was worrying) about a procedure he’d had done at his physician’s office the day before. Fearful of bothering him, I didn’t want to call, so I decided to wait for his initiation. Hearing his voice and him calling me by my nick name in greeting, made my face and my heart smile. I got to ask him questions about how he was doing, then, as is typical of him, he turned the attention to me instead. He encouraged me about some issues I shared with him, and he assured me of his prayers. We enjoyed a sweet conversation and I hung up the phone relieved and thankful for his thoughtfulness in calling. It was a sweet comfort to hear his voice.

Moments after the call had been finished, the Lord brought to my mind that hearing from my Heavenly Father is even more precious. There are so many burdens on my heart right now, and each morning as I open my Bible and my prayer journal to read and then lift those needs before the Lord, it has been so sweet to hear from my Father in heaven.

He comforts me.

He reminds me of the Truth.

He gives me advice.

He listens.

He encourages me.

I rise from our time together, a smile on my face and in heart. He called and I heard His voice. Thank you, Father.

By fearsome deeds of righteousness wilt Thou answer us, O God of our salvation, who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth and of them that are afar off upon the sea. Psalm 65:5

What burdens are you carrying today? Sit down and be still. Open God’s Word and let Him speak to you there. As you sit in prayer, don’t do all the talking. Let Him “call” you. You will hear His voice and He will comfort you.

breakfast · Healthy Eating

A Healthier Granola

June 14, 2021 RefreshHer7 Comments

How easy it is to get into a breakfast rut! I’m not a huge fan of the typical breakfast foods, so an option with a crunchy granola sprinkled over Greek yogurt and fresh fruit makes my morning happy!

I enjoy trying different granola recipes, and while I love my old standby recipe, my new find from Skinny Ms is a delicious addition to my granola choices! This one has no dried fruits in order to keep it lower in sugar, but I didn’t miss them! I did add walnuts, though it’s not in the original recipe.

This has a nice toasty flavor and a good soft crunch! We love it!

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