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God Will Deliver!

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When I had my home baking business several years ago, the perk of my business was that I delivered.  Busy people only had to order their cakes and pies, and I would bring them to their place of employment.  If you’re shopping on-line, a real draw can be the ad that says, Free delivery!  We like having things brought to us, and we like it when it’s on time.

Have you ever considered that we have a God that delivers?  What He says He will do He always accomplishes, and it will always be on time.  Of course when we read in the Word of God that He will deliver us, it is referencing the fact that He will save us.  But even in that context, God is always on time with His deliverance.

Psalm 34:15, 17 says, The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.  The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Wherever you are, whatever your circumstance, this Psalm says that God eyes are on the righteous (God sees), His ears are open to your cry (God hears), and God will deliver.  Not only will He save you out of your troubles, but He will fulfill (deliver) on time!

Watch in faith for His delivery!

With love,

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A Peek Inside the Parsonage

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I hope you know that I try to lead by example.  I don’t suggest you do something if I’m not willing to do the same thing!   Last Friday I suggested that you unclutter your bedroom.  Today I’ll show a few pictures of my room that’s been tidied. 
I took down the heavy red drapes for spring and summer.
I love the chaise lounge.  It’s great for television view or reading…or a cat nap as Liza is getting ready to demonstrate!

Here’s the dresser that’s going to be painted once the weather cools off and I can take it outside.
Don’t you love these vinyl sayings?

So, how did you do with your room?  Did it overwhelm you to tackle it?  Did you finish it?  If not, take little snippets of time to keep clearing it out.  It’s amazing what just 15 minutes can accomplish!

Cleaning and decorating is a work in progress.  It really never stops.  Once you get a place straightened up, maintain it by daily keeping things put away.  Emilie Barnes says,

“Don’t put it down.  Put it away.” 

That’s a great motto to keep house (or parsonage) by!
From my parsonage window,
main dish

What’s Cookin’ in the Parsonage?

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Dinner was special yesterday…a few Knock Out Roses in a pitcher, crystal glasses, china, and linen.  But that wasn’t the special part…it was our dinner companions!  It should always be about the people, shouldn’t it?  A meal can be good, but sharing it makes it really good!

Camp is over and we had two special girls joining us!
Here’s our Alli with her friend from camp, Yvette.  Both of them are so pretty, so young, so sweet with a heart for the Lord.

My menu:
Fresh Green Beans
Angel Biscuits
Chocolate Cake and ice cream

I made one of Alli’s favorite dishes – Lemon Greek Chicken. 

I tried a new side dish from Ina Garten – my favorite chef on The Food Network.  These are  the tomatoes with pesto.  They were really good!  If you’ve got fresh tomatoes coming out your ears, this is a great way to use them!  You won’t be sharing any extra tomatoes with your neighbors when you try these!  Oops, maybe I shouldn’t be sharing this recipe,  I get all my fresh veggies from generous friends!  =)

I repeat recipes more often on Sunday than I do any other day of the week.  That’s okay, and it really makes things simpler to do a dish everyone loves and then add a new side dish, salad or dessert.  It’s more about making things special for those you’ve invited in, making them know you’re glad they are there with you.  Serving something yummy – new or not is just icing on the cake!

I’m always on the lookout for inexpensive, quick Sunday main dishes though!  Do you have one to share?  I’d love to hear about it!  Tell me what was cooking in your kitchen this past week!

From my parsonage kitchen,

Home decor

Freshen Up Friday

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I pray that something that was shared here this week has refreshed you.  On this last weekday let me encourage you in a practical thing you can do to refresh yourself.  Walk into your bedroom and take look around.  Is it restful?  Is it inviting?  Or do you want to slam the door and turn and run because it’s become a cluttered nightmare instead of a peaceful getaway?  You can fix that – today.

Remove the clutter.  Clear off tabletops and dressers.  Pick up loose items and put them away.  Hang clothes on their hangers.  Look at pictures of beautiful bedrooms that you love and see what you can do to copy the photo.  You will be amazed at the things you’ll find just by shopping in your own house, items to bring into your room to make it inviting and cozy.  It might be a lamp, a few wall hangings, a plant, a bedside table, or a rug. 



tropical bedroom with yellow walls
Better Homes and Gardens



Country living



Country Living




aqua, green and white bedroom with throw pillows
Better Homes and Gardens



Country Living

 After you’ve de-cluttered, give your room a good cleaning.  Dust, vacuum, and polish, then make sure the bed is made each day – after all it takes up a good amount of space in the room.  If it’s unmade, the whole room will seem messy, even if the rest is sparkling!

You will sleep better in a bedroom that is clean and rid of clutter.  Your bedroom should be a place that feels like a bit of a retreat.  You will love spending time in there…and you’ll be refreshed.

See you in church Sunday!

With love,

Women's roles

The Blessing of Being a Woman

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Have you really considered how great it is to be a woman?  I read once that a blessing about being a woman is that on a sinking ship women and children get the life boats!  Wearing cute shoes is another small reason, but honestly, aren’t you thankful not to be the one who has to take the ultimate responsibility for the family or the Church?  That is a huge load! 

Are you aware how much God values women?  We are not second-class citizens.  It was women who first saw the resurrected Christ.  The women are noted for being at the cross while all others had forsaken Him.  Jesus welcomes Martha to join Mary in sitting at His feet to worship, though at this time the women were not allowed to sit with the men and worship.  But here we see Christ drawing these women into His closest circle for fellowship.  Many women in Scripture were used in mighty ways.  Consider Ruth, Deborah, Rahab, Priscilla, Anna, Dorcas & Abigail, to name a few.

God loves you, dear lady!  He has a plan for your life and a reason for you being a female.  Don’t begrudge the things you have to do today because you’re a woman – things like – dishes, laundry, cooking, homeschooling your child, cleaning house, and preparing for birthdays and holidays. 

Don’t squirm under the fact that because you’re a woman you have an authority over you.  If you’re married it’s your husband.  If you work outside the home you might also have a male boss. Another authority is your pastor.  God gave men the heavier responsibility of leadership.  As we nestle under the protection of their rule in the home, workplace and church, we should be praying for them, and then sweetly allowing them to lead.  The world balks at this teaching, but our hearts need to be obedient and our lives an example of what this looks like.  It’s a place of safety for us.  The buck does not stop here – what a blessing!

God has a place for women in the home, the church and the world.  Love your place.  Be glad for your Creator making you a woman.  It’s a place of power under the safe haven of protection.  Serve.  Submit.  Smile…you’re a woman!

Wearing pink shoes,