Freshen Up Friday

March 6, 2015March 13, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

I’ve never been one to do certain chores on certain days. When I see something dirty, I clean it. But sometimes it helps to have a little reminder to clean something that you’ve neglected.

I recently found a site on Instagram that I’m enjoying following – it’s called Clean Mama. Every day she posts a suggestion of something in your home that you should clean. This past week her suggestions were:

Monday – Bathrooms from top to bottom, including the shower.
Tuesday – Dusting – Go over all surfaces and give them a good dusting.
Wednesday – Vacuuming – Vacuum the house from top to bottom, including tile, hardwood and carpet.
Thursday – Floor washing – wash all the floors, both tile and hardwood.

I enjoyed just using her suggestions as a reminder to check those areas off sometime this week. She also posted a March calendar that’s a free download complete with rotating tasks; things like vacuum baseboards or wash rugs. Continue reading “Freshen Up Friday” →

Ask God Questions!

March 5, 2015March 4, 2015 RefreshHer6 Comments

I’m not sure when it started, but it’s now expected…The Question that comes at the end of our Sunday school class each Sunday. One young woman, hungry to learn more about God’s Word, ends every class session for us the same way each week. I picture her in my mind now, a smile spreading across her sweet face, eyes twinkling, extending her arm upward with her hand flailing to get my husband’s attention while she says,

“I have a question!!!!”

It may be about the lesson, or it could be something someone at work has asked her for whom she needs an answer. Class extends as we all lean in to hear her state the very well thought-out question. I love it and look forward to her inquiry each week!

As I was reading my devotions yesterday, I was reminded that asking spiritual questions is a really smart choice! I read in II Samuel 11 about when David looked at Bathsheba and lusted after her. Why didn’t David ask the Lord to help him with his lust?

David questioned those that knew Bathsheba as to who she was, but why didn’t he ask the Lord if he could have her?

He decided to take her and have relations with her, then when she let him know some time later that she was with child, David realized something needed to happen, so he tried several plans. But why didn’t he ask the Lord what to do?

After David has Bathsheba’s husband killed, he brings her in to be his wife, but why didn’t he ask the Lord if he should marry her?

Finally after Nathan the prophet comes to tell David God’s knowledge of his sin and that his son would die as a result, we see David talking to God! As a matter of fact, he prayed and fasted for seven days while the child suffered. God does not see fit to heal the child, but instead, the child does die. After hearing the news, David got up, dressed, worshiped and ate. I truly believe he was able to accept this child’s death because he was on right terms with God now. How did that happen? He prayed. He asked God questions. Perhaps he asked, “Lord, will you place the punishment on me instead of my son? Will you spare my wife this grief? Will you please intervene?” He was finally on speaking/question-asking terms with God!

Now, how about you and me? Talking to God about everything that touches our lives will keep us from sin and sorrow!

“Lord, what about this?

Should I go here?

Should I be a part of this?

Should I watch this, read this, participate in this?”

Let’s be wise and be like my Sunday school friend. Let’s raise our hand and say,

God, I have a question!

Ask first, then act.

Lovingly,

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A Peek From My Porch

March 4, 2015March 13, 2015 RefreshHer8 Comments

A Peek Into My Life This Week

I spend a lot of time with my husband as he makes hospital calls. When I was a child, I dreamed of walking the hospital halls as a nurse. The Lord had other plans, and now for all these years, instead of being called “nurse,” He’s given me the title of “Pastor’s wife.” I get to stand alongside my husband as he enters room after room to comfort and encourage. I have learned to love these times at the hospital for so many different reasons. One of those is that we always go to be a blessing, but we always come away having received a far greater one.

Yesterday was one of those busy days visiting at the med center. One of our visits included the former pastor of our church; a dear man who loves the Lord, His Word and His work. As I stood at the foot of the bed and listened to my husband minister to this former pastor, the Lord revealed three important truths to me.

I thought about how at one time this patient was the one standing beside the bed giving the comfort. Now instead, he is listening, drinking in and receiving the encouragement from God’s Word.Time to serve God is short.
I sensed this man’s keen knowledge of God’s Word as, even in his weakened condition, he made a connection from the passage my husband read in the psalms to one in Revelation. Time in God’s Word is evident.
I thought about his wife, at home, unable to be at his side because of her own physical limitations. I’m sure she had ministered with him in years past, just as I was doing now. Is she wondering where he is? Is she calling for him when he cannot come? Time with our spouse is a privilege not to be taken for granted.

So while some folks loathe visiting the hospital, the Lord has given me a joy – not in other’s sickness – but in what they always teach me. What a wonderful privilege is mine to be called “The pastor’s wife.” I pray I will serve as faithfully as this dear man and his wife did. Then when the Lord sets me aside and I can no longer serve in this capacity, I pray that I will encourage others who visit with me as much as I was encouraged yesterday! If I take these lessons to heart that will be far more likely.

Of the three truths the Lord showed me, which one strikes a chord in your own heart? Listen to what the Lord wants to say to you through this faithful former pastor!

With love from my country porch,

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Thanks for a Messy House

March 3, 2015March 2, 2015 RefreshHer4 Comments

The weekend ended and school and work schedules returned. Yesterday when the last of your brood was out the door and you turned and looked behind you, it was as if the proverbial tornado had blown through your house. Fingerprints, footsteps, dirty dishes, soiled laundry and messy bathroom sinks were the casualties in the tornado’s wake.

You may have been tempted to complain or fuss about your mess, but one homemaker had a refreshing perspective on her disheveled house. Read on:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mess, soggy, grimy towels and the dirty lavatory; they are all so convenient.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly; it has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.

Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today; it has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing and lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard.

Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door. My kids are healthy and able to run and play. Many children cannot.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings… Thank you, Lord, that I can hear.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible…Thank you, Lord, that I can see.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising…Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic with socks that are lost, toast that is burned, tempers that are short, and my children that are so loud…Thank you, Lord, for my family.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times not balanced…Thank you, Lord, for the food we have.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous…Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest…Thank you, Lord, for life.

Author Unknown

A fresh perspective is good, isn’t it? Now, turn your glance upward to your home. What can you thank the Lord for right now that could easily turn to a complaint if you were’t purposefully looking to see the blessing in it? Give thanks instead.

Lovingly,

Bread · breakfast

What’s Cookin’ in the Country?

March 2, 2015March 2, 2015 RefreshHer5 Comments

Remember Dr. Seuss? Here’s my likeness to his stories…

I love bread.
Sweet bread, crunchy bread, corn bread or French bread.
I love bread.
Homemade or Bakery bought,
High and low I have sought because
I love bread.

This was the reason I named my baking business I had for several years, Breads on Boone. I love baking, eating, learning about, and trying to make new breads! This weekend I even purchased a huge bowl because the recent bread recipes I’ve made are too much dough for my mixing bowl and it’s spilling out! Do you remember the I Love Lucy episode where her dough is rising all over her kitchen? Yeah, that’s kind of how I’ve felt recently! I can’t wait to test another recipe in the new big guy (bowl)!

I’m thankful for cookbooks like Cooking Light that allow me to indulge without as much guilt! I recently tried a new Banana Nut Muffin recipe from Cooking Light that was so moist and full of that wonderful Banana flavor! The Streusel topping adds a nice little sweetness and crunch. These are a great beginning to my bread-loving days! When I made them I knew I couldn’t keep this recipe to myself, that I needed to share it with you!

Banana Nut Muffins:

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 bananas)

3/4 cup 1% low-fat milk

3 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

STREUSEL:

6 tablespoons regular oats

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

To prepare the muffins, lightly spoon 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine banana and next 4 ingredients (through egg) in a bowl; stir well. Add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened; fold in walnuts. Place 12 muffin cup liners in muffin cups. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups.

To prepare streusel, combine oats and remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Blend with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle streusel over batter. Bake at 375° for 22 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

I paired my muffin with a bowl of oatmeal and it was a great breakfast!

I love to make up a batch of muffins and either share half with someone, or put half in the freezer for an easy breakfast in the days ahead. These freeze great, by the way!

Do you enjoy making breads? I hope you’ll try these! You could celebrate this new month of March by baking up a batch! I know I say to bake something for every holiday, event or day of the year, but why not? These are “light” and God gives us richly all things to enjoy! Sooo, Enjoy!

With love from my country kitchen,