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Showing posts from April, 2012

Easy Pot Roast Dinner

I made pot roast for dinner last night, which my family loves. I remember being intimidated by this dish as a new wife. Some people cook it in a pot, some in the oven some in a crock.  Which is best?  My favorite way is in a pot because it's easy and I like to sear the meat.   Now that I've made it so many times, I can't believe how forgiving this simple dish is.  Cook books can make it seem complicated.  I hope my directions will not. :) Just remember that you need to start this meal about 3 hours before you plan to eat dinner.  I usually start mine by 3pm.  All you need: A 2-3 lb chuck or round eye round roast, rinsed and patted dry 1 TBSP oil for browning 2-4 cups water (or beef broth) depending on size of meat. (More meat, more water.) 1 TBSP minced garlic 1-2 TBSP good sea salt (celtic is the best) 2 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar (quality counts here) 1 TBSP Oregano 4-6 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks 2 cups sliced (or baby) carrots 1 onion, quart

Picky Eaters

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Do you have picky eaters in the family?  This article suggests that childhood experiences do influence how picky a person becomes as an adult.  It can be confusing with so many different voices in media today on how to feed well. But I really think balance is key. It is key in both a parent's attitude and what they expect. In short, God's wisdom is very much needed. It's a good thing that it is free for the asking. :) James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Research shows that eating a variety of foods leads to better overall health. I've known some picky Moms who actually pass on their food dislikes to their children which is a shame because they may like things that she doesn't.  I don't happen to be a picky eater and I've somehow managed to pass on my appreciation for variety to my kids. They try most anything I serve which I am so grateful for. It&

Respecting Persons

So a couple of weeks ago, we found a church to go to after a long search. It has been a challenge to find a King James Bible reading and believing church. And even this one has some errors.  Yes, I know...there is no "perfect church".  But we aren't looking for perfect.  Just a truly Bible believing group of saved people walking in holiness. But so far, this church is the best we've found yet. And we've been looking for a long time. Our (my husbands and mine) personal misgivings are titles, traditions of men and tampering with Scripture.  To explain: 2. Titles : these are the names people like to call themselves and mostly, to be called. Preachers want to be called "Pastor".  Do you think Jesus is going to call them "Pastor John" in heaven? Titles mean an awful lot to men. It's a pride issue I believe.  The positions people have in the church, be it preacher, teacher, bishop, elder or usher, doesn't warrant a precursor title to t

More Than My Necessary Food

Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. I was thinking today about how easy it can be to "forget" to read the precious words of God.  Job tells us that he esteemed them more than his necessary daily nourishment. Can you imagine going days without breakfast lunch and dinner  -  regularly?  Yet this is what is like spiritually for us when we go days without reading our Bible, "the words of his mouth". Even just a few verses to meditate on throughout my housework is helpful and nourishing to my spirit. But I would like to get into the habit of making it my daily nourishment.  I'm so thankful that I have God's Word to read anytime I wish. When I think of the many people in this world who don't have the same privilege it makes me cherish it all the more.

Time Management and My Schedule

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My personality tends to be a bit "abstract random" and I do better with a list than a time schedule.  I also think a smooth running house begins with a smooth running woman.   So it's important to take care of ourselves so we can take good care of our husbands, children and homes .  Some things I do... Sleep Needs:  I like to be in bed by 9pm every night (my husband is usually there before I am due to his early work schedule) and asleep by 10:30pm or sooner. For hormone related sleep trouble, I take 3-5 capsules of the herb Valerian.  Spiritual Needs:  I like doing a crossword and reading from Scripture before I go to sleep. Exercise Needs:  I like doing walk at home aerobics, light weight lifting and walking outdoors.  Health Needs. I drink filtered water throughout the day, try to stay away from processed foods as much as possible, take good vitamins (Mighty 90) and use herbs for nutritional supplements as well as first aid.  Beauty Needs:  I use good q

Women of God

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Short post today, but I just want to encourage you as women of God, that we have a choice before us.  Every day is an opportunity that will never pass by us again.  Today we can be gentle, kind and pure before the Lord and others. We can soften our voices, smoothe out rough edges, and let our femininity be evident to all. We can let the love of God flow through us and onto others. This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

Every Idle Word

Acording to the word of God, every idle word has a permanent record. Every single one. Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment . Words are born from thoughts. Although we can't always control our thoughts the Bible does instruct us what we're to do with them - take them captive! Imagine the President at a White House ball. He doesn't just allow anyone to come in, but has armed men guarding every entrance for any suspicious characters. It is certain that anyone not invited is not only held captive but thrown out. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; We are

Why Homeschool?

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My husband and I know a family who is considering homeschooling their son. He's only 3 right now, but we have encouraged them that it's never too soon to decide. In fact, the sooner the better because you can begin planning and researching all the things there are to learn about home education before it is suddenly upon you and you feel panicked about how to begin. What many parents who go the route of government (public) schools don't seem to realize is that, assuming their children aren't punching a daycare clock 40 hours a week, they're already homeschooling. Good parenting and homeschooling are the same thing.  I cannot comprehend why any Christian family thinks it's a good idea to hand their children over to strangers 40 + hours per week. And 40 hours is a conservative estimate. The reality for many children, after packing back packs, waiting for and riding a bus (round trip), homework (designed to reduce precious family time), and the many school fun

Hospitality and Opening our Homes

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As homemakers, we are like little magpies feathering our nests - a little twig here a little piece of string there. God gave us such an amazing instinct to make homes and we were created to nest and make comfy, cozy, soothing nests to nourish our families up in. But sometimes, in this busy era we are in, we can get a little too comfy and forget to share hospitality with others. Our homes are a great place for ministering and blessing others. It's interesting that the word hospital comes from the Latin "hospes" or host. From that word we get hospital, hostel, hotel and hospitality. These words all have to do with taking care of someone. Furniture Placement for Hospitality When I arrange and decorate, my first priority is our every day lives and the needs of my family. Most family room furniture is arranged for tv viewing, but that doesn't always accomodate entertaining.  When I'm expecting more than a few guests, I will nudge a chair or a couch over a

Observing Days

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For so long, my lack of care for traditions made me feel a bit of an outcast. Everyone I know is steeped in tradition.  Some people ooze tradition from every pore. I grew up with no traditions to speak of.  After I was married, the addition of traditions in my life always felt artificial to me.  After reading and studying the Scripture, however, I found out that it was not I who had it wrong, but the world who had it wrong. Am I saying the traditions of men are all wrong?  It depends on the tradition.  Some of our family traditions have been tucking our children in every night, reading them stories, fixing pancakes on Saturday morning and going golfing together.  These are family traditions.  Christmas, Easter, Passover, Good friday, these are religious traditions.  These are the ones that, ironically enough, are biblically wrong! This month many will celebrate what we call "Easter".  Some, knowing the pagan roots of Easter/Ishtar will call it "Resurrection Da

Phases of Life

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It is no question that stay-home mamas are very, very busy and often even more tired . Our days are filled with decisions and regular nights of interrupted sleep don't help with that.  Being tired and feeling overwhelmed can make the best of us feel like we are dragging through the day. I was just thinking last night as I tossed and turned in bed how life just doesn't get "easier". And that's when I chuckled to myself. It's foolish indeed to think that as soon as this tough phase is over, things will get easier or better.  The only time that is true is when this life is over and we are eternally with the Lord. Oh happy day!  But until then... Around 20 yrs old, we're young and feeling great for having just survived adolescence.  We look forward to marriage, our own home and freedom to do things the way WE want to. lol  Then we get married and our brood of blessings grows. And make no mistake about it - children ARE blessings!  But they also present u