This week finds my husband at a conference, and I got to tag along to be with him and also to visit our daughters. How sweet it is to be in town where my girls live!  This is the first time this semester I’ve gotten to stop in and see my college student.  (She’s finishing her last semester!)   Years ago while I was homeschooling, I had to keep my nose pretty much to the grindstone.  There were times that we went along so that we might make an extended field trip where he went, but for the most part, when he went away, we stayed home.  So, it’s a blessing that I can go along now when he goes away! Even though this has been the case for almost four years, I still realize what a blessing it is!

Preachers don’t go away because they look for vacation times.  They need conferences to get educated on issues, get preached to, get encouragement, get good ideas, and get in on preacher fellowship.  You see, they give all the time, and it’s as though their “give tank” gets low, and they need to find a place where they may fill one or more of those needs. 

You may wonder, “Why is our pastor away again?”  But let me encourage you to realize how much a pastor pours out, and how much he needs to be recharged and filled up – just like you enjoy when you go to church.  Pray that he’ll get what he needs and be ready to come home and share with you what the Lord did for him while he was we were away.

Thanks for your prayers, love and support,

All you book lovers out there – raise your hand!  I thought so!  There are lots of bookworms – myself included.  But did you know that the Scripture teaches that you are writing a book? 

Your very life is writing your story.  Have you considered that thought?  What kind of story will it be? 

• A Novel – A lengthy fictitious narrative? (Not if our Christian life is genuine)
• An autobiography – A story all about you? (Not if you’re pouring your life into others)
• An encyclopedia – A book of only facts? (Not if you’re making practical application of the Word of God)

The kind of book that is written is our choice.  This is something we can control.  Stop and consider what story your life has written in the just the last week.  Do you need to do some editing?  Changes can be made today!
 
How long a story will it be?  We have no control over the length of the book.  The psalmist continues in Psalm 90 with this in verse 12…

We must wisely consider our days and realize that they are really very short.  Time for writing into our book the tale of our lives will come sooner than we realize.  We need to ask our Publisher, the Lord Himself, to help us to remind us how short this life is that we may wisely write our story.  May we each have a tale that is faith-filled, inspiring, biblical and full of enjoying the good things of the Lord!

What words would describe the book that you would want written about your life?  Leave a comment here or on the RefreshHer Facebook page. 

With love,

I’d like you to meet my sister, Sharee, who’s not only beautiful and a godly woman, but she’s also a great cook! I think it’s because our mom is a great cook and she instilled in all three of her daughters a love for family time and good meals shared with those that gather around our table.

On Saturday Sharee was telling me about what she was fixing for  dinner that day.  It was Chicken and Dumplings IN THE CROCK POT!  The recipe sounded unbelievably easy.  Then she sent me a message later in the day to say that it turned out absolutely delicious!  I asked her for pictures and a recipe to share with you, and she was happy to oblige.  Lucky us!

She found this recipe on Beauty and Bedlam

This what what Sharee had to say about the recipe:

Here are Sharee’s results:

How good this would be at the end of a busy winter work day!  All you have to do when you get home is pop in the biscuit/dumplings and let them cook! 

Thanks for sharing, Sharee!
 

Ingredients

Instructions

This is seriously the best Sunday roast ever.  The broth turned gravy is so savory on the meat and potatoes. You must try this some day!

In September I learned about a product that was a favorite thing of a friend at church.  It intrigued me, so I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and purchased one for myself.  What is it? Something that could likely freshen up your Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday…

You pop this soft thing into the microwave for a minute or so and then put it wherever you need it – around your shoulders, your back or even in the bed sheets to get things warmed up on these cold nights.  You can also put it in the freezer, but I doubt you’ll ever find mine in there!  =)
Here’s what I like about it:

• It stays warm for a long time
• The material is really soft and soothing
• It doesn’t have an odor like some of those wraps
• The length of it is great – much better than a square heating pad!
• It’s only $10, and if you watch the paper, you can even get a coupon in the paper for 15-20% off!

If you ever have tired shoulders or neck problems from sitting at the computer, your back hurts, or you’re cold, you need one of these! It would make a great Christmas gift!  By the way, I am not being paid to endorse this product…I just thought you’d like to know and

be refreshed!

See you in church Sunday!

In the last two posts about how to respect our husbands, we learned we must:

• Make the choice to think on those things for which I can respect him
• Consider my own sinfulness, rather than his

First, let me say, If a husband is continuing in these sinful issues without confession or repentance, then a wife needs to seek godly counsel.  Her husband needs to be confronted in a biblical fashion.  Galatians 6:1 She can remain a godly woman, showing Christ-like love, and if she is in danger, then she needs to take necessary precautions that a godly advisor would recommend.

If, however, a husband has recognized his sin, repented of it, and is seeking restitution, then she must forgive. Of course, one doesn’t respect a man for his sin any more than we would respect a woman for hers.  We look above that and press on, with God’s grace and strength, recognizing, as I stated last week, our own propensity towards sinful choices.  We can’t dwell on it or rehearse it in our husband’s ears or even our own heart.  A wife can respect him for his confession.  She can respect his desire to be right before God.  She can respect him for choosing her instead of the sinful lifestyle. 

The world and Satan will tell women in this situation that respecting some men in certain situations is a mountain too hard to climb, so they never strap on the boots and helmet. They stay on level ground and they miss the wonder of what only God can do, and the blessing of taking the next step – the one of obedience.  Obey?  Obey what?

Remember that blessing never precedes obedience.  You obey and see what God will do.  The view from the mountaintop is breathtaking.

With love,

P.S.  Did you hide your turkey today?