Refreshing Your Own Heart

April 6, 2017April 6, 2017 RefreshHer2 Comments

Spring dining room A

This week I shared some advice given to me on “How to Refresh the Hearts of Others.” But has your own heart ever ached and wished someone would come and minister to you? I understand.

This week has been full of activity, ministry and needs. One morning when things seemed to be spinning out of control, I stopped – literally stopped with tears in my eyes and my heart pounding with frustration and the feeling of being overwhelmed. I turned my heart to the Lord. I told Him my burdens, my frustrations, and my need. At the end of my prayer I said, “Lord, please show me what to do.”

It wasn’t much later after that the Spirit of God spoke to my heart, directing my steps in a clear, biblical answer. My plans were to head out the door to join others in a good thing – we were to pray together – but the Lord said,

“Be still. Pray here.”

I thought, “Really? That makes so much sense! Yes, Lord! Thank you!”

I let my friends know I wouldn’t be joining them where they were gathered, but I did join them at the Throne of Grace from my home. It kept me from running there, running back, then running to prep for another obligation later in the day.

It gave me rest.

It calmed my heart.

No one but the Lord could have done that.

Now I slowed my pace. I took time to pray for the needs of others. I cleaned the mess that was around me. I added a few touches of decor in my dining room. I listened to a podcast while I worked. It wasn’t long at all until my own heart was truly refreshed. I was thankful that it had come completely from the Lord’s directives speaking into my heart and not from a person. It made me so thankful for the reminder that God cares about every detail of my life – even the little things that can trouble my heart.

My need was so simple, really, and I know there are times when there are HUGE needs, but there is nothing too big for Him to handle! When you have a hurt, confusion, anxiety, burden or longing that causes your heart to be filled with emptiness and longing, what do you do when God sends no one to your doorstep, your pew at church, or your side?

Recognize the need to go to prayer and tell Christ about what’s on your heart. He already knows, of course, but this isn’t for His benefit, it’s for yours. Stopping to put that longing into words and tell the Lord is so helpful. Divine intervention is what you need, and if you don’t ask, how will you receive it? This time of prayer also makes us realize that we are completely dependent on Him. That’s always the best place to find ourselves, because He is omnipotent! In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Psalm 86:7
While in prayer, ask God for His wisdom for the next step. What do you do after you finish praying? Without God’s help, you’ll be just as hopeless as before if you don’t have His direction for the next moment. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Prov. 4:18
Look for verses of promise regarding your situation and meditate on their truth. If you can’t think of one off the top of your head, or you don’t have your Bible with you, Google it! We ask Google for other things we need information on, right? Use it now! Google Bible Verses on God’s Provision or Bible verses on Comfort. A list will come up that can anchor your heart with Truth!!! Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. Deut. 7:9
Listen to music that will minister to your heart and calm you. It’s amazing what good music will do. I love to listen to instrumental music that points my heart to God. It brings peace and a reminder of Who He is!
Don’t isolate yourself! Get with others that will encourage you. It’s easy to want to sulk and be alone, but you need other believers to help you – even if they never hear a word from you about your trouble. Invite a friend to lunch or coffee.
Talk with a godly friend about your trouble and ask them to pray with you. You decide with whom should share – it might be your husband, it might be a friend or your pastor’s wife. Two are better than one. Eccl. 4:9 Humble yourself and admit you have a need. We ALL need encouragement from time to time!
Put yourself in an environment that helps your attitude. Open the blinds and curtains and let the sunlight in! Straighten up the clutter that might be right in front of you. Create the order that will clear your head and heart.
Get some fresh air. Take a walk in your neighborhood or walking path at the park. Go walk through the nursery at Lowe’s or your local greenhouse.
Do something you enjoy. Stop for a sweet tea and take a drive in the country. Go to the library. Buy a bouquet of flowers for your kitchen table. Stop for a Dairy Queen treat. Rearrange your living room. Do a craft you love.
Do something for someone else. See this list to remind yourself of what you could do! The focus gets transferred from your problem to someone else.

I pray this will help you to know how to refresh your own heart when you need it!

What do you do when you’re anxious or feeling overwhelmed?

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breakfast · How-to Video

Eggs In a Basket Video Tutorial

April 5, 2017April 4, 2017 RefreshHer2 Comments

Cracker Barrel calls them Eggs in a Basket – they are simply eggs cooked inside a small hole in a piece of toast! It’s like a breakfast package! They’re great to fix for your family because you’re making the toast and the egg in one step! Here’s a little video demonstrating how easy and fast they are to make!

Eggs in a Basket

Melt 1-2 Tbl butter in skillet
Cut hole in bread slice, using a biscuit cutter or small glass.
Crack egg into the hole in the bread. Place bread rounds in pan to brown. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook 2 minutes, then flip toast over and cook until egg is cooked to your preference.
Serve and enjoy!

Do you make these at home? They’re so good, and children love them!

Cooking · dinner in 30 minutes · main dish · Main entree

(L)Oven Monday – Chicken Dinner in Under 15 Minutes!

April 3, 2017April 2, 2017 RefreshHer2 Comments

I’ve had the recent loss of a properly working fridge. Sadness!!! Because I had to load my milk, eggs, coffee cream, butter and yogurt into the cooler while we wait (and wait and wait) for the repairmen to get the parts and get them installed, I’ve had to be kind of “off-the-cuff” with my meals. Not having room for fresh vegetables, condiments, etc., I’ve pretty much just been pulling from the freezer and pantry. “Necessity is the mother on invention” they say, and it’s true! I had to pull a meal together completely out of necessity and it was a really happy discovery!

I needed supper to consist of chicken breasts, canned tomatoes and feta cheese because that’s what I had. I found a recipe that sounded good, but I didn’t have the exact ingredients, so I substituted with what I did have, and the results were fabulous!!

chicken with feta 2

This chicken is cooked in under 15 minutes!!! Broiling the chicken gives it a little crispiness that makes it taste like it’s been grilled. Yum!! If you need a fabulous meal in a flash, here’s what this recipe calls for:

Chicken breasts filet
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Italian Seasoning
Canned Tomatoes
Feta Cheese

Instructions:
Pre-heat oven broiler on high.

Mix equal parts of olive oil and vinegar. For one LARGE chicken breast, I used about 2 tbl of each. Brush vinegar mixture on both sides of chicken breast. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, on both sides. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Place baking sheet 4-6 inches from broiler. Cook for 10 minutes. Turn and cook until juices run clear. I had a thick chicken breast, so I cut it in half so it was thinner. It cooked in the 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and place a spoonful of diced canned tomatoes (drained), on chicken. Sprinkle with Feta Cheese. Broil one more minute. Serve immediately.

My menu for a completely 15 minute meal:

Chicken with Feta and Tomatoes
Steamed Green Beans
Couscous

chicken with feta 3

Seriously, this was so delicious! My husband said, “This recipe needs to be on the ‘Do-over’ list!” I agree. We will be having this again and again even after the fridge gets fixed! I’m thinking this recipe is the “Silver lining” in this refrigerator trouble! Thank you, Lord, for these little blessings!

With love from my country kitchen,

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children · Christian Life · Motherhood · Prayer

Family Friday – How To Pray for Your Children/Grandchildren

March 31, 2017March 30, 2017 RefreshHerLeave a comment

pray for children.jpg

When I became an adult there was a day when my mom apologized to me for the lack of “big” family vacations while my sisters and I were growing up. It was such a surprise to me to hear her even mention that because it never entered my mind that I had missed out on anything! We didn’t have yearly adventures at theme parks or cross-country road trips, but our family had daily/weekly worship times, family times, games, fun and a loving environment and that was enough to allow me the blessing of growing up fulfilled and more than satisfied with all that our home provided.

But I understood my mom’s heart. Parents who love their children know that those little ones need so much. From nurturing, to physical care, education, and daily provision, there’s so much to provide for each child. But if we are trusting the Lord for wisdom to know how to give them what they need, He will not only give to them spiritually, but will also provide everything else that is essential in their lives, just as He did in our home.

A huge part of the spiritual provision comes when we pray for our children. As I’ve mentioned before, if we’re not praying for our children, who is? Here’s a great list of prayer requests to pray for your child, with Scriptures to use as your platform to come to God.

To know the Scriptures which are able to make them wise unto salvation. II Tim. 3:15
To grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. II Pet. 3:18
To be obedient to parents. Eph 6:1
To be respectful to parents Eph. 6:2
To have a heart for God. Deut. 5:29
To know God and serve Him. I Chron. 28:9
To hate sin. Ps 97:10
To understand their sin will be found out. Num 23:23
To choose the right friends. Prov 13:20, I Cor:15:33
To say “no” to sin. Prov 1:10
To learn to submit to God. James 4:7
To have a repentant heart. Ps 51:103
To be teachable. Prov 13;1
To be a servant to others. Phil. 2:3,4
To trust God for their future mate and ministry. Prov. 3:5,6
To remain pure for their future mate and future mate pure for them. II Cor. 6:18-20
To surrender their heart and life completely to God. Rom. 12:1,2
To stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Col. 4:12

There is no greater gift you can give your child than to faithfully pray Scripture for them. It’s bigger than Disney world, and more impacting that the view of the Grand Canyon. Also, aside from what it will do for your child/grandchild, it will also change you, and that’s something NO vacation can do!

Pray and refresh others!

Have a great weekend,

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Christian growth · Events

Why I Attend Ladies’ Retreats When I Don’t Feel Like It

March 30, 2017March 30, 2017 RefreshHerLeave a comment

retreat group 1

I’m going to be really open with you here – being away from home is not my favorite thing. I’m really, completely a home-body. I could stay within the walls of my home for a week or two and be totally content! But there are times that I choose to push past my tendency to stay where I’m most comfortable and go places, even when I don’t feel like it. One of those times is when Christian retreats are offered for women. I speak at retreats, so that probably sounds really odd, right? Let me explain: I love it when I’m there at the retreat. I bask in the fellowship, the teaching, the worship, the encouragement, but it’s all the stuff beforehand that I struggle with. I’m talking about:

Packing
- All those decisions!
- All the things I have to remember to take…just in case!
- What if I don’t want to wear that when I get there? Better add another outfit!
Getting the people in my house ready for my departure. Even though it’s now just my husband, he has needs I must consider. When my girls were home, it was even more difficult to go away. They weren’t always crazy about being left behind, and that was another issue that had to be dealt with.
Finances – It’s sometimes hard to get the funds to go. I’d ask myself if we could afford it, but my husband would always insist that God would provide (and He always did!).
Fatigue – Let’s face it, weekends away are exhausting! You’re usually up later than normal, the routine can be rigorous, and the hours of rest are few. Did I really want to give up my sleep to go?

HOWEVER, in the last 16 years that we’ve been close to The Wilds, I can only remember a year or two that I didn’t get to go to the ladies’ retreat. I also started attending the Ladies’ Prayer Advance two years ago. Let me tell you why I’ve pushed forward and have gone to these retreats, even when I really didn’t feel like it.

I go because I need the teaching of God’s Word that is specifically directed to women and our needs. Last weekend there was a session for Pastor’s Wives that I needed to hear! Two sessions I heard spoke to my role as a wife. Still another topic was about women reaching women for the Gospel. The Lord gave me Truth in every single message!
I go because I know it will help me to grow spiritually. Yes, I go to church each week. Yes, I read my Bible every day, but there’s something about a weekend retreat that causes decisions to be made that advance me as a child of God.
I go because I need my sisters in Christ. The fellowship, the sharing, the praying, the knitting of our hearts together will not happen at church. It has to come from times outside worship services at church. It comes on the van as we share our burdens. It takes place at lunch when we talk about the last session. It stirs in our hearts as we grasp hands and pray together.
I go because I know it will make me a better wife, mom, daughter, friend, light in this dark world.
I go because I remember that I have never regretted going and spending time in God’s Word and with His people. Never. Ever.

That’s my testimony and my heart. Can I challenge you to consider attending a retreat this spring – or next fall if that’s when it’s available for you? Something really special is going to happen there and you don’t want to miss out on it. The laundry will be there when you get back. Your family will survive without you. No one notices what you’re wearing. Your church group needs you there!

Boones Creek Bible Church ladies, I’m extending an invitation to you to attend the Ladies’ retreat at The Wilds April 20, 21. Sign up before it gets filled up!

Look at your excuse and ask yourself it’s really valid? Don’t let your enemy keep you from a blessing!

Where do you go to “retreat?” What blessing did you receive?

Lovingly,

Denise Signature 150 px