Prayer

Drive-Through Window Prayers

February 12, 2015March 13, 2015 RefreshHer4 Comments

I don’t pull through a drive-through real often, but the times I have in the past have been little frustrating. Oh, I can manage the car right up next to the little box where I’m to

Wait for someone to know I’m there
Hear me speak
Hear them speak back to me.

Image result for drive through speaker

The issues come in the communication. I usually end up shouting talking way louder than is necessary and looking into the speaker, as though the hearer might be standing in that little box. “Did she say $10.32 or $10.52?” It’s hard to know. I attempt to be ready to meet the attendant. I then drive around to pick up the item I asked for. The whole thing is over quickly and I’m on my way, hopefully with what I ordered. The drive-through is used because it’s convenient ~ not necessarily effective.

I’m afraid many times we approach praying and getting an answer from God much like the drive-through window at our favorite fast-food place. We’d like the convenience of getting what we we want in a fast, timely manner rather than “going to lots of trouble.”

Here’s what a “Drive-through window prayer” looks like –

We pull up (bow our head), give our order (give God our list of requests for that day) while the engine is still running (while we’re ready to dash off to the next item on our “to-do” list), and give a salute to the window attendant, (say “Amen”) and hope the order in the bag is what we asked for (get from God what we asked).

Most times, however, Drive-through window praying leaves us confused about the message we were hoping to hear. We scratch our heads, wondering if we got a message…or not. But the truth is…

God doesn’t answer us on the run.

When we pray, we need to pull off and park. We need to turn off the distractions of the world and be still before God so that we can hear His voice and so we can really focus on Him. Prayer isn’t about just getting my needs met – prayer is entering into a relationship with my God. It’s there at the Throne that I learn more about Him and even His Word. As we stop and draw near to Him, we will clearly hear His voice. The answers will be unmistakable and sure. Oh, they may not come right away, but as we continue to pray, He will answer. Jeremiah 33:3

Are you looking for answers today? Don’t look for them at the drive-through. Park and go inside. God will always hear exactly what you’re asking, and He will answer you in a clear, distinct way!

Can you remember a time of prayer in which God spoke to you in His still, small voice and revealed an answer to you?

Refresh your prayer life by slowing down long enough to really listen.

With love,

evangelism

A Peek From My Porch

February 11, 2015March 13, 2015 RefreshHer4 Comments

How to Host a Bible Club in Your Home

I’ve shared with you before about the weekly Bible Club I have with my neighbor children. Today I thought it might encourage and help others who have had thoughts about perhaps doing a club at their house to get a little peek at what we do and how I prepare for our hour-long Bible lesson each week.

I’m using an old Sunday school curriculum that was left over from several years ago. It serves as the guide for what lesson to teach next. Then I plan our schedule out minute by minute. Our time together is precious, and I want to make good use of every second we have.

What you see below is my schedule from last week, along with links to the songs/verses I’m teaching them. The Internet is a huge help! Take a peek:

February 5, 2015

4:00 – 4:010- Sing –

Jesus loves the little children – Cedarmont Video

My God is So big – ( choose new Picture Book)

Recite Psalm 23

Wiggle Worm

Pray

4:10 – 4:20 – Heart Search – Look for heart cut outs around living room – Truth to be taught – God knows where we are. He loves us and invites us to receive His Son as our Savior

4:20 -4:30 – Bible Story – Jesus Loves the Children – Luke 19

4:30 – 4:40 – Review Bible lesson with Game –

Ask a review question. If they answer correctly, they may “fish for a heart.” Use hearts that were found earlier (Paper clip on heart, magnet attached to string for fishing rod.

4:40 – 4:50 – Snack – Apple slices with peanut butter – heart shaped centers (cut out with heart-shaped mini-cookie cutter).

4:50 – 5:00 – Craft – Heart Mobile – Jesus Loves…On the little hearts add names of people they want to remind of God’s love for them.

I try to follow a theme for each lesson that correlates to the Bible story we had. Since we’re in February and the lesson was on Jesus Loves the Children, I made use of heart-shaped/themed everything. It makes it fun and also memorable for the children…and me!

I’m truly not sure who enjoys our hour together more!

I hope this inspires you to host a Bible club so you can refresh the hearts of children with the Gospel!

Have you ever hosted a Bible club or attended one when you were younger?

With love,

Refreshment in marriage

Improve Your Marriage Today

February 10, 2015March 13, 2015 RefreshHer4 Comments

Ever wish your marriage was better? There are NONE that are perfect because we live in a fallen world. He’s sinful, and so are you. It is possible, however, to see that relationship improve with time as we obey Biblical commands. Whether your marriage is Fantastic, So-so, or On-the-rocks, there are three things you can do to improve it today.

Smile at him. Instead of knitting your eyebrows together and frowning at him, smile! Not with gritted teeth, but a sweet, smile that remembers when you first fell in love. Smile when he comes home. Smile when you listen to him. Smile when you look at him from across the room.
Spend time alone with the Lord. While there: A.) Talk to God about the things in your marriage that are troubling you. B.)Meditate on Psalm 62:5 – My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him. C.) Ask God to give you a greater love for your husband.
Focus on changing yourself. If you want to see a change in your marriage it has to start with you. If we’re honest, we know things about ourselves that need to change (interrupting while he’s talking, correcting him, nagging, belittling, disrespectful speech, whining, complaining, etc.) This is probably the hardest of these three things for me. It’s sure easy to see my husband’s faults and not my own! Maybe we need to put a bracelet on like I mentioned here to help us remember not to do that irritating thing. Any time you catch yourself (or the Spirit of God convicts you!), move the bracelet.

Whatever you feed will grow. Feed your thoughts about your mate with loving, prayerful thoughts, and the love will grow.

Will the improvement in your marriage be instantaneous? Maybe. Maybe not. Do it – not to see results happen, but to honor the Lord. All three of the suggestions above are biblical. You obey and leave the results to a God Who can do the impossible!

Which of these three is most difficult for you?

Refresh your marriage TODAY!

Lunch

What’s Cookin’ in the Country?

February 9, 2015April 5, 2015 RefreshHer15 Comments

FIRST OFF, let’s start with the big news of the winner of the Target Gift card. That person is…

Darcy Vergiels!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you to each of you who are now following me on my new site and who read my posts. It truly humbles me that you do. You encourage me to keep writing with each comment you leave, so I hope that from time to time you’ll leave a word. Tell me if you liked the post,, or share your suggestions for what we’re talking about that day. This is not just about what I have to say – so please contribute as you feel led. I love hearing from you!

Now, on to Monday’s posts about something yummy that was recently cookin’ out here in the country…

Does lunch ever stump you? It does me, but I love it when I have a bowl of Chicken Salad made up just waiting to be piled up on a delicious piece of bread! Now, that’s a great lunch!

Every Southern gal needs to know how to make Chicken Salad. It’s a staple in the south – like sweet tea or cornbread. It’s not just a picnic lunch food; it’s a year-round favorite for most. The recipes and ways to make it are as varied as opinions at a political convention. But the important thing is that you find a recipe that you LOVE.

I came upon mine a few years back at a wedding. I watched the mother of the bride making up Chicken Salad sandwiches for the bridal party. I saw her add a couple ingredients that I’d never heard of before; what a special difference they made in the taste! This stuff was good enough to serve at the reception! Being the wedding director, I was glad to be in on the little luncheon before the wedding. I could have eaten her salad out of the bowl, with a fork, forgetting any fine southern belle manners!

Let me share the recipe and her secret with you…

I start by roasting chicken breasts in the oven. Pour on a little olive oil, salt and papper. Roast at 375 degrees until cooked through (the time will depend on if it has ribs or is boneless). I always check it with a meat thermometer.

Cool, then cut into small cubes and place in a bowl. Add dried cranberries and chopped pecans.

In another small mixing bowl add:

Mayonnaise, sour cream and a little cinnamon. I add a little more mayo than sour cream. For one chicken breast I use about 1/3 cup mayo and 1/4 cup sour cream. I use the light, but regular is fine!

Mix the dressing together in a small bowl. Spoon dressing on top of the chicken to combine. Add salt to taste.

Enjoy on crackers or bread.

20150207_123439_resized — To make this simple Chicken and Rice soup: In a saucepan combine: 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup 1 Can Chicken stock Cooked rice Roasted Chicken Breast pieces This is a delicious homemade tasting soup to serve alongside a sandwich!

I think this is pretty much the best Chicken Salad I’ve ever had. Sometimes I add a little celery or grapes, but this simpler version is my favorite! I hope you’ll try it!

What do you love having for lunch?

With love from my country kitchen,

Home decor

Freshen Up Friday

February 6, 2015February 13, 2015 RefreshHer6 Comments

What’s the biggest difference between the way your house looks and one of those lovely rooms in your favorite decor magazine? It’s really not the size of the house, its value or the finishes of the walls and floor; it’s really about the details you use to decorate.

What is currently sitting on your kitchen counter? How about the coffee table? The side table in your bedroom? Those are the details that can take a room from ordinary to lovely!

In the kitchen: I had recently been given a few (delicious) cupcakes from a friend and they were so pretty! Rather than leave them in the covered container in which they were delivered, I set them on a cake plate, then covered them with a glass dome and displayed them on the counter. They became a lovely focal point of the kitchen (until dessert time, of course)!

The February Susan Branch calendar picture that I’d saved from last year is the new backdrop for my magnetic board. It also adds some height to that long island.

The runner underneath adds another layer and brings warmth to the kitchen area – a place full of hard surfaces. I also love adding bowls of fresh fruit or vegetables out in the kitchen, too. Using pretty food as decor in the kitchen just makes sense, doesn’t it? It makes your kitchen inviting to those that would enter.

My kitchen table …

20150205_204836_resized

Here are some other kitchens that I love…

Notice the lazy Susan in the middle of the table below. Love that!

Love the red check seat cushions, the greenery, and the lantern. — http://www.anitahollandinteriors.com/portfolio

kitchens should be lived in. Love the open plan with kitchen island! So inviting! — Woohome.com

From Country Living…

Notice the use of cookbooks as decor and the lovely lamps alongside the windows…

A French Provence Kitchen with a Franke farmhouse sink and two Fisher and Paykel dishwashers drawers. Limestone Versai patterned tile finished with vintage wall mounted sconces create an inviting kitchen.

The slipcovers on the chairs in this kitchen at a softness; also the napkins over the top of the chair.

I hope you’ve been inspired to refresh your kitchen with some little touches over the weekend!
Which of these kitchens do you love?

Be sure to refresh your heart by being in a Bible preaching church Sunday!

Lovingly,

P.S. Don’t forget to enter for the drawing for the $50 Target gift card by Saturday night! The winner will be announced here on Monday!

Author: RefreshHer